The Easter getaway is fast approaching.
But here we reveal some finicky new passport rules that could disrupt your travel plans.
They have been introduced since Britain left the EU and have stopped some holidaymakers from boarding their flights and trains.
Here’s everything you need to know, from the “10-year rule” to the “blank page” rules.
Plus, we’ve included some handy tips for saving money on renewing your passport.
DON’T GET CATCHED BY EU RULES
When traveling to the EU, UK holidaymakers should be aware of the ’10 year rule’ and pay close attention to the issue date and expiry date of their passport.
When traveling to the EU, a 10-year British passport is only valid for entry for exactly 10 years after the date of issue, regardless of the expiry date.
Prior to September 2018, passport holders could have up to nine months added to their passport’s expiry date if they renewed their passport 10 years early. However, after Brexit, even though the official validity of your passport may exceed 10 years, the EU does not recognize these additional months if your passport is more than 10 years old on the date of your entry into the EU. Additionally, your passport must also have a validity of at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the Schengen free movement territory of the EU.
This means that visitors should pay close attention to the issue date and expiration date.
For example, if you enter the EU from the UK on April 1, 2024 and return on April 5, 2024, you must have a passport issued less than 10 years before April 1 and valid for at least three months after April 5 . .
The passport rules have surprised several British travelers who found themselves turned away at the airport. Nathan Barnes, a paramedic from Norwich, was one of the latest to be caught in the confusion when he was refused boarding a flight to France.
Some holidaymakers have been unable to board their flights and trains due to confusion over EU passport rules.
The 31-year-old man was traveling to Limoges with his fiancée to visit family. Although he checked in online for the flight and went through security, he was stopped at the boarding gate.
“My passport was issued more than 10 years ago,” he says told BBC. “They were very neutral about it, they just said ‘sorry you can’t board, go ahead.’
To make sure you don’t get caught out and for more details on EU passport rules, search for “documents you need to travel to Europe” on home-affairs.ec.europa.eu or visit www.abta.com.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Always check the specific entry requirements for the country you are visiting on the gov.uk website before traveling – rules regarding passport validity vary from country to country.
For example, while most countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States simply require your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay, other countries like China, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey need at least six months. As mentioned previously, you will need at least three months of validity on your passport from the day you are expected to leave the EU.
COUNT YOUR BLANK PAGES
Make sure your passport isn’t full of stamps: some countries require more than two blank pages for entry.
If your passport is full of stamps and there is almost no room left, you need to renew it, even if you have several years left. Indeed, some countries can be picky about passports with filled pages. For example, Italy and South Africa require at least two completely blank pages.
SAVE YOUR MONEY
There’s an easy way to save money when renewing your passport: apply online instead of by mail.
The current fees for a standard online application made from the UK are £82.50 for adults and £53.50 for children. Postal applications, meanwhile, cost £93 for adults and £64 for children. In general, the way you choose to renew your passport could end up costing a family of four £40 more than expected.
However, in April the cost is due to the increase. A standard online application made from the UK is expected to cost £88.50 for adults and £57.50 for children, while a standard postal application is expected to increase to £100 for adults and 69 £ for children.
These price changes are still subject to parliamentary approval, but if given the green light they will come into force from April 11.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Your passport will usually be issued within three weeks if you apply in the UK, but customers are advised to apply in time before traveling, according to gov.uk.
Although it may take longer than three weeks, if the passport office requires more information, customers will be notified within this three-week time frame.
SHORT ON TIME ?
Travelers can apply online or by mail to renew their passport – this can take up to three weeks to arrive.
There are two ways to apply for an urgent passport. The first is the ‘one day bonus‘, in which customers will be invited to make an appointment at the nearest passport office, apply and pay online. They will receive their new passport during their appointment.
The second is the one-week “fast track” service, customers can make an appointment at the nearest passport office, apply and pay online, and a new passport is delivered to their home within seven days following, excluding public holidays. You need to act quickly, however, because the appointment slots at the passport office – lasting around 10 minutes each – fill up quickly.
The one-day premium service will cost you £193.50 for an adult passport, while the one-week expedited service costs £155 for an adult passport.
If you need a passport to travel urgently for healthcare or because a loved one is seriously ill or has died, it is recommended that you call the Passport Adviceline instead.
SCAMS TO WATCH FOR
In April last year, holidaymakers were warned to be wary of fraudsters exploiting passport delays caused by industrial action by UK passport office workers by offering fake ‘fast track’ services.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has warned that fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated and convincing methods to trick travelers into paying for non-existent services.
The CTSI said it had seen a number of text messages and emails offering rapid passport renewals, warning that victims could lose personal data to fraudsters as well as money.
CTSI chief executive John Herriman said: “As always, scammers are quick to seize any opportunity to take advantage of uncertainty and upheaval. Exploiting delays caused by Passport Office strikes is just the latest example of scammers preying on people’s vulnerabilities.