Hundreds of people with UK passports are being stopped from boarding flights to the EU every day because of strict post-Brexit rules, according to travel expert Simon Calder. The rules require UK passports to have been issued within the last decade and to remain valid for at least three months beyond the planned return date.
Who is most affected
Holders of the older burgundy passports, last issued in 2020, are among those most at risk of travel disruption. Some travellers have passports that are more than 10 years old, for example when the 'valid time' on an old passport was added to a new one. While such a passport may be 'valid', it will not be accepted for use in some countries, including the EU. Even if a passport still has time before its expiry date, it must have at least three months left after the planned return journey.
What Simon Calder said
Simon Calder previously said "easily a couple of hundred people a day" are being denied boarding. Over the year, he suggests this could add up to more than 100,000 missed holidays due to the regulations. Calder has reached out to airlines, pushing them to better inform travellers, especially during online check-in processes which can occur weeks ahead of the flight.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Simon said: "I'm afraid all you can do at this stage is try and get an emergency appointment and see if you can get a passport turned around." He added: "But if you're travelling later, maybe in the May bank holidays or the summer holidays then you've got time on your side and just to stress... It's only the EU that cares about the issue date, if you're going to America, Australia, Tunisia they say your passport's valid up to and including the expiry date."
Passenger responsibility and renewal options
If someone is turned back at the airport, Simon Calder said they were "absolutely not" covered and would not get their money back. "It's always the passengers' responsibility to make sure they are compliant."
According to the Government website, it usually takes three weeks for a new passport to be delivered. In some cases it might take longer than three weeks, if more information is needed or an interview is required. The processing time starts from when the passport office receives your documents. If a passport is needed urgently, there is also a one week fast track service.
All British passports issued since the middle of 2020 are now dark blue in colour. If your passport needs to be renewed, you can apply for a new one either by post or online.
