As the sixth anniversary of Brexit approaches, a critical passport regulation continues to derail the travel plans of countless Britons, with warnings to check documents now before the summer rush.
The Hidden Rule That Could Ground Your Holiday
While most UK travellers are now familiar with their blue passports and longer border queues, one specific Brexit-related change is still causing major problems. It is not simply about your passport's expiry date. Every summer, holidaymakers face the devastating news at the airport that they cannot board their flight, leading to cancelled trips and ruined plans.
The core issue stems from a rule change implemented after the UK left the European Union. Before Brexit, UK passport holders could travel in the EU for the entire validity period of their document. Furthermore, if you renewed a passport early, up to nine months of remaining validity could be added to the new one, creating passports valid for up to ten years and nine months.
Understanding the Crucial 10-Year Rule
Post-Brexit, the rules for entering EU countries became stricter. For British citizens, your passport must meet two key criteria. Firstly, it must be issued less than 10 years ago on the day you enter the EU country. Secondly, it must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.
This means an older passport might still show a future expiry date but could be more than ten years old from its issue date, rendering it invalid for EU travel. This subtlety is what is catching so many people out. Additionally, many non-EU destinations require six months of validity remaining on your return date.
You must check validity based on your planned return to the UK, not your departure date. Failing to do this simple check could see you turned away at the check-in desk.
Why You Should Act Immediately to Renew
The compelling reason to verify your passport now is processing times. Renewing in January is significantly faster than during the peak summer months. According to data from the X account @passportwaiting, which tracks application times, the current average to process an adult passport renewal is just under nine days.
This is based on reports from recent applicants. However, past performance shows delays can spike. In 2022, a post-COVID surge led to waits of up to 10 weeks, causing widespread travel chaos and cancelled holidays.
Financially, acting early makes clear sense. The standard fee to renew an adult passport online is £94.50 (£107 via paper form). If you are forced to seek a last-minute solution, the cost rockets to £178 for the one-week Fast Track service or a staggering £222 for the one-day Premium service.
Checking your passport's issue and expiry dates today provides ample time to rectify any issues, avoids a stressful last-minute panic, and saves you from being unnecessarily out of pocket. Do not let an overlooked rule be the reason your summer holiday never gets off the ground.
