British holidaymakers could be hit with hefty fines if they fail to comply with a little-known passport rule when travelling to EU countries. Since Brexit, UK travellers must ensure their passports meet specific validity requirements—and overlooking this detail could cost them £100 or more.
The Passport Rule You Can't Afford to Ignore
Many Brits assume that as long as their passport is valid on the day of travel, they’re good to go. However, EU regulations now demand that UK passports must be:
- Issued less than 10 years ago and
- Have at least three months’ validity remaining beyond the planned departure date from the EU.
Failure to meet these conditions could result in being denied boarding or fined upon arrival.
Why This Rule Catches Travellers Off Guard
Before Brexit, UK passports were valid for up to nine months beyond their expiry date if they had extra time added during renewal. Now, any additional months beyond the 10-year mark are no longer recognised by EU border control.
"Travellers often don’t realise their passport’s issue date affects its validity," warns a travel expert. "A passport issued in 2014 with a 10-year expiry might seem valid until 2024, but the EU only accepts it for nine years and six months from the issue date."
How to Avoid Costly Mistakes
To prevent last-minute travel disruptions, holidaymakers should:
- Check the issue date as well as the expiry date.
- Use the UK government’s online passport checker for EU travel.
- Renew their passport well in advance if there’s any doubt.
With summer holidays approaching, ensuring your travel documents are in order could save you from an expensive and stressful start to your trip.
