British holidaymakers are being urged to check their passports are valid or risk not being allowed to board a flight this summer. Post-Brexit regulations mean passports must be no more than 10 years old to enter EU countries.
In previous years, people renewing their travel document early were given a 'rebate' of unused months. However, UK passports will now only be recognised if they have several months remaining before they expire.
Passengers have been turned away at airport gates for having documents that fail to meet new rules, it has been reported. Previously, a passenger renewing six months early would be issued a passport with 10 years and six months validity, Wales Online reports.
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Now, a passenger travelling in the final six months of a passport will no longer be allowed entry to the EU, except for trips to Ireland. Passports must also be valid for at least three months after the date they intend to leave the country they are visiting.
Those who fail to adhere to the latest rules risk losing the money for a flight or holiday because a travel provider will not offer a refund and insurance will not cover the mistake. There have been incidents where British travellers have been refused permission to board their flights because they did not meet the revised regulations.
While some airlines have been accused of issuing confusing information. Budget airline easyJet states on its website: "For UK passport holders travelling to the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, please note that on your day of travel you'll need your passport to have at least six months left on it."
Ryanair also insists a UK passport must be valid for "at least six months from the date of arrival" with at least "three months" left when leaving the country. But the conflicting information does not end there.
Although European Union nations require that a passport is valid for at least three months after the day the holder leaves the UK, HM Passport Office recommends that on the day of departure there is at least six months left on the passport.
The best way to find out if a passport is valid for travel to certain countries is to check the Travel Advice section of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website.
