UK travellers are being urged to check their passports before any upcoming trips, as a new rule has now come into force. From September 28, passengers travelling on Irish Ferries' Dublin-Holyhead and Rosslare-Pembroke routes, in both directions, are required to present a valid passport or Irish passport card before boarding.
However, new research from Saga Travel Insurance suggests many Britons could still be caught out by basic passport and travel document rules. The research revealed that 16% of those surveyed admitted they didn't know when their passport expires, with 8% currently holding an expired passport. Furthermore, 10% had less than a year remaining on their passport, and one in 14 (7%) had previously been refused entry to a country due to insufficient time left on their passport.
Post-Brexit confusion remains widespread
Saga also noted widespread confusion surrounding post-Brexit travel rules, with half (50%) of holidaymakers stating they were not confident they fully understood the visa and travel requirements for visiting Europe.
Michelle Cooper, director of Travel Insurance at Saga, said: "Nobody should have their holidays ruined because of a simple passport error. A few quick checks can help people avoid unnecessary stress, unexpected costs and disruption at the airport."
The travel insurance provider polled 500 people across the UK and discovered that Britons could be leaving themselves open to unnecessary disruption when travelling abroad due to straightforward oversights.
Schengen visa rules and the 90-day limit
Half (50%) of holidaymakers still lack confidence in understanding the visa and entry requirements for visiting Europe following Brexit, the survey revealed. Michelle said: "If you're travelling to Europe for an extended period, you may now be required to apply for a new visa type. Travellers can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area within any rolling 180-day period, but it's not as simple as it sounds."
"The 180 days are counted backwards from each day you're in the EU or a Schengen country, so every trip adds up. That means even frequent short breaks can push you over the limit without realising. If you go beyond 90 days, you could face fines or even a ban from re-entering. Anyone planning to stay longer will need to apply for the new Schengen Visa."
The Schengen area is a collection of 29 European nations where travellers can cross borders without routine passport checks. It encompasses popular holiday hotspots such as France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
10-year passport rule and ETIAS
Confusion surrounding the '10-year passport rule' remains the most widely talked-about passport issue online, according to research by Saga Travel Insurance, with Reddit threads on the matter accumulating 35,417 upvotes. Michelle explained: "EU and Schengen countries require passports to be less than 10 years old on the day of entry. While all new passports last exactly ten years, passports issued before 2018 remain valid for 10 years and nine months. If you have an older passport, make sure you check both the issue date and expiry date before travelling to avoid problems at the border."
From late 2026, British travellers heading to most European countries will be required to apply for the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) prior to departure. The new system bears similarities to the UK's own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme and will affect visa-exempt travellers visiting 30 European countries for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Michelle said: "Travellers may not realise that visiting Europe will soon involve an additional pre-travel authorisation step. From late 2026, British holidaymakers will need to apply for ETIAS approval before travelling to many popular European destinations. The authorisation will be linked directly to your passport, meaning travellers could be denied boarding if their ETIAS details don't match their travel document or if the authorisation has expired. Most ETIAS applications are expected to be processed within minutes, but it could take longer if additional checks are required. Holidaymakers should apply well in advance of departure to avoid last-minute disruptions."
Similar systems already exist elsewhere. For example, UK travellers visiting the United States must apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before departure. These systems are becoming more common globally, so it's important to check requirements for each destination well ahead of travel.
As with passport validity rules, people are responsible for making sure they have the correct travel authorisation before they leave the country. If someone is unable to travel because they failed to obtain valid ETIAS or ESTA approval, travel insurance is unlikely to cover costs associated with denied boarding or cancelled trips.
