Nearly four million UK passport holders risk being turned away at airports this year if they fail to check their documents are up to date, an expert has warned. Data from Co-op Insurance, obtained via a Freedom of Information request, reveals that over four million British passports are set to expire in 2025.
A survey by the company found that one in ten Britons have had holiday plans disrupted due to not renewing their passport in time. While 72 percent of people in the UK plan to take a holiday this year, around ten million currently hold out-of-date passports, with another four million nearing expiry.
Graham Ward-Lush, head of travel at Co-op Insurance, said: “Keeping your passport up to date is a crucial step that many of us neglect, which could result in disappointment and financial loss should it mean that you are unable to travel abroad as planned.” He added that some countries require at least three to six months of validity remaining, and renewals can take up to three weeks or longer.
The research highlights that younger travellers are most affected, with one in four under-25s missing out on holidays due to expired passports. Additionally, a quarter of 25 to 34-year-olds travel without insurance, and nearly one-third of 16 to 24-year-olds have experienced serious accidents or illness abroad, compared to less than one in ten over-55s.
Renewing a UK passport online costs £88.50, or £100 for a paper application. Ward-Lush urged travellers to check their passport expiry date and secure adequate insurance to avoid high medical expenses or loss of possessions.
