British travellers face new fees and passport confusion as post-Brexit rules tighten. A Saga Travel Insurance survey of 500 UK residents found that 16% did not know their passport expiry date, while 8% were carrying already-expired documents. One in 14 travellers had been refused entry to a country due to insufficient passport validity.
Passport Validity and the 10-Year Rule
The '10-year passport rule' is causing confusion. EU countries require passports to be less than 10 years old on entry. Passports issued before 2018 remain valid for 10 years and nine months, adding complexity. Michelle Cooper, director of Travel Insurance at Saga, warned: "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."
Visa Confusion and the 90-Day Rule
Half of holidaymakers still lack confidence understanding visa requirements for Europe following Brexit. The 90-day rule within any rolling 180-day period in the Schengen area is catching many Brits out, with frequent short breaks potentially pushing travellers over the limit.
ETIAS Fee from Late 2026
From late 2026, British tourists will need approval through the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) before travelling to most European countries. The system will cost approximately £17 and requires advance application to avoid boarding denials. Cooper emphasised that travellers are responsible for ensuring correct authorisation, warning that travel insurance is unlikely to cover costs from denied boarding due to invalid ETIAS approval.
