If your passport doesn’t have long enough left you will be turned back (Image: Getty)
Airlines have issued advice to anyone with a passport – especially those with the old burgundy or red EU versions they may need to take urgent action. Operators like easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz are telling customers to make sure they are all set up for any holidays they book for 2025 – as being turned away at the border check would really be a bitter blow for those desperate for a break.
With the new year having just begun, it’s predicted that thousands may book their summer holidays this weekend, to make sure they have something to look forward to. But travellers are being warned to check their passport is valid now, rather than waiting to closer to their trip. Alvaro Iturmendi, Confused.com travel insurance expert said: “Booking your holidays can be very exciting, and a welcome distraction to the beginning of the year blues. But no matter how far in advance you’re planning, it’s never too early to check your passport’s validity, so you don’t get caught out last minute.
“Our research found that less than half (43%) of travellers knew that if you’re heading to the EU, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before their departure date. And if your passport doesn’t meet this regulation, it could mean you’re denied entry into the country, or may not even be allowed on the flight in the first place. Either way, it’s likely to lead to a lot of disruption to your holiday plans.
“An emergency passport could cost up to £207 depending on its urgency. And if you leave it to the last minute, having to take time off work and travel to visit a passport office could become costly and time consuming. This is especially true if you need to visit an office far from home. Unfortunately, travel insurance will not cover the cost of last minute travel for an emergency passport, nor for any missed flights or holidays.
“It’s important to always double-check your passport’s expiration date as soon as you start planning your trip, and leave yourself ample time to renew it if needed. By using our passport checker, you can save a great deal of time, money, and stress.”
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UK holidaymakers and tourists who are still in possession of their red passports are particularly at risk as they’ll be a lot older and more likely to be on the verge of going out of date. The UK’s transition to blue passports post- has led to new ‘third-country nationals’ rules for entering countries, which could catch out those still using their old red or burgundy passports. Since the UK’s departure from the EU, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you enter the EU/Schengen Zone and must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.
The six-month passport rule is a regulation stating that your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of your planned departure or arrival from the country (depending on the country). This rule applies to both international and domestic travel.
EasyJet said on its website: “Please check your passport’s expiry and issue date before you travel. If you’re a UK passport holder travelling to the EU (except Ireland), or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican City or Switzerland, your passport will need to meet the following criteria:
“It must be no more than 10 years’ old on the date of travel to the EU or above countries.
“It must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to depart from the EU or above countries*
“Many countries have rules around the required amount of time remaining on them before expiration, with some requiring three months, others six.”
In all Schengen Area countries, the requirement is at least three months remaining validity on a traveller’s passport from the planned departure date. For most other countries outside of Europe this period extends to six months from the date of departure.
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The odd one out is Costa Rica who require Britons to have just one day’s validity from the day of their departure. The non-European nations that permit a three month period are: British Virgin Islands, Cuba, French Polynesia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, New Zealand, Réunion, South Korea and Uzbekistan.
Wizz Air has told customers: “All customers on international flights must have a valid passport and, where required, a valid visa. Citizens of the , European Economic Area and Switzerland may travel within Europe using a valid EU/EEA/Swiss National Identity Card or Passport Card.
“Your passport needs to be in good condition and signed by yourself. Some countries require that passports are valid for a minimum period beyond your trip. These regulations may vary per country, make sure to check and comply with those before your travel.”
Ryanair said: “UK passport holders travelling into a Schengen*/EU member country (excluding Ireland) as of 1st January 2021 must make sure that their passport:
“Is valid for at least three months from the date they will leave the Schengen member country unless the person has a Schengen-issued residence permit or long-term visa.
“Was issued within the previous 10 years upon the date of arrival unless the person holds a Schengen-issued residence permit or long-term visa, in which case no specific passport validity requirements apply.”
Any further advice on travel information can be found on the Gov.uk website.