UK holidaymakers planning trips to the EU are being warned about the '10-year rule' that has prevented some passengers from flying. Since Brexit, most EU countries no longer accept British passports issued more than 10 years before the date of travel. This rule applies to all 27 EU states except Ireland, as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
To enter an EU country, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your entry date and be valid for at least three months after your planned departure. If your passport does not meet these requirements, you will be refused entry. Previously, UK travellers could carry over up to nine months of validity from an old passport, meaning some passports were valid for over 10 years, but this is no longer accepted.
Renewing a UK passport costs £88.50 online or £100 by post, with child passports costing £57.50 online or £69 by post. Applications from abroad or urgent requests cost more. Passports are free for those born on or before 2 September 1929. The renewal process typically takes up to three weeks, though delays can occur during peak periods.
To check if your passport is valid for travel, verify the date of issue and expiry. You can renew online via HM Passport Office or via paper forms from selected Post Offices. For urgent renewals, appointments can be booked at passport offices, with passports issued within a week. For more information, visit the Passport Office website or call 0300 222 0000.
