Travel expert Simon Calder has issued an urgent warning to anyone planning to travel abroad in June, July and August, urging them to check their passports to avoid 'wrecked holidays'. Speaking on BBC Radio 2, Calder highlighted that 'thousands upon thousands' of people have already been caught out and missed their booked trips.
The issue primarily affects Brits with burgundy passports heading to the EU or Schengen areas. Under current rules, passports must not be older than 10 years on the day of entry into the EU, and must be valid for at least three months after the planned return date. Calder stressed that the EU is the only region that cares about the issue date, not just the expiry date.
One holidaymaker, James Luton, was denied boarding for a flight to Portugal last week for his 50th birthday because his passport was issued more than 10 years ago, even though it had not expired. Calder described such incidents as 'absolutely miserable' and urged travellers to check their passports well in advance.
Before 2018, UK passports could remain valid for up to 10 years and nine months due to months being rolled over from old passports. However, this practice was discontinued in 2018. Those with blue passports, issued from 2020 onwards, are generally unaffected, but parents should still check children's blue passports as they are typically valid for only five years.
Calder advised: 'If you are going away in June, July and August, please check that your passport is going to comply. Has it had its 10th birthday on the day you plan to go away, and has it got at least three months left on the date you plan to leave?' He hopes this will help avoid more ruined holidays.
