As the Easter holidays quickly approach, ABTA – The Travel Association is urging British holidaymakers planning to travel to Europe to ensure their passports meet the necessary validity requirements. This reminder comes as many still fall victim to a passport rule change that has been in effect for over four years.
If a passport does not meet the required standards, travelers will not be allowed to board their flight. ABTA has reported that some people continue to be turned away at the airport due to expired or invalid passports, resulting in lost holiday plans and financial setbacks.
For British passport holders traveling to countries in the Schengen area, which includes most EU countries (except Ireland), as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City, two critical passport validity rules must be met:
The passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of entry into the country.
The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date from the Schengen area.
This means, before traveling, travelers need to verify both the passport’s issue date to confirm it is less than 10 years old on arrival and its expiry date to ensure it has at least three months of validity remaining upon returning to the UK.
ABTA has provided a simple four-step guide to help travelers check their passport validity for trips to Europe:
Visit the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) travel advice page to review the specific passport rules for the country you’re visiting.
Check the ‘date of issue’ to ensure your passport is less than 10 years old when you enter the country.
Check the ‘date of expiry’ to confirm there are at least three months of validity left after your planned departure from Europe.
If your passport is about to expire, apply for a renewal online through Gov.UK, which is the most cost-effective option.
Graeme Buck, Director of Communications at ABTA, emphasized the importance of making sure all travel documentation is in order. He said, “It’s quick to follow our four steps to make sure your passport is valid and you won’t be stopped from travelling. This is particularly important if your passport is due to expire in the next year or so.”
For extra reassurance, ABTA also suggests booking travel through an ABTA member travel agent or tour operator, who can offer expert guidance on passport requirements and any other travel-related advice.
