Post-Brexit passport rule is still causing people to miss flights - here's how to avoid getting caught out
As a frequent flyer, I thought I was pretty clued up about travel rules. I'm organised when it comes to visa and vaccinations, always turn up early for flights and read up regularly on the travel industry, from trending destinations to new hotel openings.
I was therefore quite surprised when, after a recent flight back to London Gatwick, I walked through passport control and was warned by the man on the desk that I needed to get my passport renewed as soon as possible. I had it on my radar that my passport was due to expire mid-2026, so I'd need to get a new on towards the end of this year, but certainly didn't realise that it needed to be done any sooner.
'It's the 10-year rule', the passport control officer patiently explained. 'Your passport needs to be under 10 years old to fly in the EU'.
Although I had paid attention to the expiry date of my passport, it turns out the date of issue is just as significant – and mine showed that the passport would be 10 years old some months before it actually expired.
Of course I felt very silly for not knowing about this rule before – since doing my research I discovered it has been in place for some time – but it turns out I am very much not alone. In recent weeks, I have spoken to at least three (very intelligent!) people who have been turned away from flights because they had no idea about the rule, none of whom had received any warning from their airline when they checked in online before the flight. In fact most had got to the actual gate for boarding before they found out they couldn't travel.
With the summer holidays on the way therefore, it seems worth restating the rules, in case like me this had completely passed you by. And if you're much cleverer than me and already knew, then well done!
When travelling to the EU, a 10-year British passport is only valid for entry for exactly 10 years after the date of issue, regardless of the date of expiry.
Before September 2018, passport holders could have up to nine months added to their passport expiry date if they renewed their 10-year passport early. Post-Brexit, however, although the official validity of your passport may be beyond 10 years, the EU does not recognise these extra months if your passport is older than 10 years on the date that you enter the EU. On top of this, you must also have at least three months' validity on your passport beyond the date you intend to leave the EU's free-movement Schengen territory.
Outside of the EU, the rules vary by country, so it is always worth visiting the gov.uk website for specific entry requirements.
For instance, while most countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA just need your passport to be valid for the length of your stay, other countries such as China, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey need at least six months.
If you realise the rule is going to impact you, then you can renew your passport online for £94.50 or using a paper application form for £107. If it's urgent, you can also pay £222 for the 'one day premium' service where you visit the passport office (the earliest you can get an appointment is two days after you apply) or pay £178 for a 'one week fast track' passport to be sent to you. All the information is on the government website.
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