Martin Lewis is urging travellers to perform a 'two-check rule' on their passports before heading on holiday this summer, warning that failing to do so could result in being refused boarding or turned away at border control.
Two Checks Every Traveller Must Make
Speaking on ITV's This Morning in a clip shared on TikTok, the money-saving expert explained that having months left on your passport does not automatically guarantee entry to your destination. Both checks must be made based on the day you arrive at your destination, not the day you leave the UK.
The first check is passport validity. For travel to the EU, passports generally need at least three months' validity remaining on the date of arrival. However, Lewis stressed that travellers should always check the specific entry rules for the country they are visiting, as requirements can vary.
The Second Check That Catches People Out
The second check, which Lewis says generates the most emails from frustrated travellers, is the age of the passport. 'Is your passport under 10 years old?' he said. 'You could have more than six months left, but your passport be 10 years old and you can get turned back.'
He explained that before 2018, when someone renewed their passport early and still had time remaining on their old one, those extra months could be added to the new passport. This meant some people ended up with passports valid for 10 years and several additional months. 'You could now have a passport where you've got more than six months left on it, but it's over 10 years old. And they can turn you back for that,' Lewis explained.
Where to Find the Information
Both pieces of information can be found inside the passport itself. The expiry date shows when the passport runs out, while the issue date reveals how old it will be when you arrive at your destination. Travellers are advised to check both dates well before travelling, work out how old their passport will be on the day they arrive, and confirm the entry requirements for the country they are visiting. If either date is close to the relevant limit, renewing before travelling could avoid expensive disruption.
Expert Advice
A spokesperson for travel experts Lapland Famille said: 'Martin's two check rule is something every traveller should know before they book, not the night before they fly. The issue date is the one that catches people completely off guard because it simply does not occur to most people to check it.'
They added: 'Both dates are right there on the passport and taking 30 seconds to check them against the entry requirements for a destination could save a holiday from being cancelled before it even begins. If either date is close to the limit, renew early - it is a far easier problem to solve at home than at the departure gate.'
With passport rules varying from country to country, checking both the expiry date and issue date well before flying could save travellers from a costly surprise at the airport.
