Your expiry date on your passport is not all you need to check before booking a holiday
If you’re looking forward to escaping the country for a sunshine holiday this year, travel experts have warned one mistake could see you denied boarding or entry to another country.
Most people will know to check the expiry date on their passport before packing a suitcase and heading to the airport, but you must also make sure the identity document will be valid for the entire duration of your trip.
And that means paying attention to the ‘validity’ of your passport, especially if you’re planning an extended trip, or you risk a travel disaster this summer.
Mike Harvey, Managing Director at 1st Move International, said: “Post-Brexit passport rules have caught many travellers off guard, especially those who only check their expiry date. If you’re relocating or travelling long-term, it’s crucial to double-check passport validity to avoid being denied boarding or entry.”
With searches for ‘renew passport UK’ having surged by 5,000 per cent in the last 30 days alone, it’s crucial to make sure your passport will get you where you want to go and get you home again.
Many countries enforce a ‘six month rule’ which can catch holidaymakers out. The ‘six-month rule’ means that your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you plan to enter or leave a country.
This rule is in place to prevent travellers from overstaying their visas or facing issues if their passport expires while abroad. Not all countries enforce the rule but some generally do include Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, the UAE and Egypt.
Mike explained: “If you’re planning to travel long term, ensure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay. Many countries enforce a ‘six-month rule,’ meaning your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your departure date.”
He also said that those travelling to Europe need to make stringent checks, adding: “For travel to most EU countries post-Brexit, British passports must have been issued within the last 10 years and have at least three months of validity left.
“This means that even if your passport hasn’t expired, it could still be rejected if it was issued more than a decade ago.
“Passports issued after 2018 are valid for exactly 10 years, but those issued before September 2018 may have had extra months added, making them valid for up to 10 years and nine months. For example, a passport expiring in August 2025 but issued in November 2014 would no longer be valid under the new rules.”
Mike has advice for those looking to renew their UK passport – which at the current time is taking around three weeks to process.
He said: “When renewing your passport, ensure it was issued less than 10 years before your planned EU entry.
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“Also, check that it has at least three months of validity beyond your departure date. It’s recommended to aim for six months’ validity, as some countries require more.”
If you do find yourself stuck abroad with an expired passport, there’s no need to panic.
You can, in most cases, get an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). The only restrictions are that ETDs are valid for a single or return journey only, allowing you to travel through a maximum of five countries.
Some countries may require visas, and others, like Myanmar and Laos, won’t accept an ETD. Over 22,000 ETD applications were made in 2023, so it’s always best to ensure your passport is valid before you travel.
