British travellers heading to France, Greece, Italy and Spain have been urged to check their passports before summer holidays, as new data reveals more than one million UK passports could fail entry requirements.
Brits entering the EU Schengen area must have a passport issued less than ten years before the start of the trip and with an expiry date at least three months after the return date.
One Million Passports at Risk
New data shows over 705,000 UK passports currently have fewer than three months’ validity remaining, meaning travellers would be unable to board their plane. A further 350,000 passports were issued more than a decade ago, bringing the total to over one million that could fail entry requirements.
Holidaymakers are urged to check their passports following analysis of HM Passport Office data from June 2026.
The 10-Year Rule
The 10-year rule is particularly relevant for passports issued before September 2018. Before then, HM Passport Office could add up to nine months of unused validity from an old passport to a new one. This means some passports may still be in date but no longer meet Schengen entry requirements.
In total, HM Passport Office data shows that 2.37 million passports are due to expire during 2026.
Expert Advice
Tim Knighton, travel insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Many travellers assume if they have a valid passport they can travel overseas without any issues, but that’s not always the case. Some countries, including many popular European destinations, require several months’ validity extending beyond the length of a trip, so it’s important to check the entry requirements for each destination before travelling.”
“With more than 700,000 UK passports now having less than three months’ validity remaining, it’s worth travellers taking a few minutes to check theirs before heading abroad. Renewing a passport early could help avoid unnecessary stress and reduce the risk of holiday plans being disrupted.”
