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British travellers must now check the validity of their passports as up to “200 people a day” are being denied access to EU holidays due to a commonly overlooked regulation.
As British families prepare for their dream holiday in the EU, hundreds of people arrive at the airport only to discover their passports have expired – even when it shows there is still time left.
“Around 200 people a day” are being denied EU holidays because of British passports
Many British passengers have taken to social media after being refused boarding flights to the EU. Travel expert Simon Calder said that up to “200 people a day” were being refused flights due to unwittingly carrying expired passports.
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In June, a couple from Nottingham were refused entry on their TUI flight to Spain for a 10-day holiday as both of their passports were more than 10 years old – not according to the time remaining on their passports but according to Government policy that was implemented after Brexit.
TikTok user Fran Hainingg shared her experience of being refused boarding a plane to Greece; “I was refused boarding because my passport was two days past its expiry as I turned 10. So now we are driving to London from Bournemouth which will take us three hours.”
How to avoid being denied a holiday with a British passport
Since the UK left the European Union, British passport holders must abide by European rules. Until September 2018, the UK Passport Office would transfer any existing validity on your current passport to your new passport when you renew it. After Brexit, existing validity will no longer be counted when travelling to the EU Schengen Zone.
To avoid a ruined holiday, make sure your passport was issued less than 10 years before the day you enter the EU zone and that it is valid for at least three months after the day you plan to return.
Travel Republic’s Chief Commercial Officer and travel expert, Gemma Brown, advised; “Travel insurance providers will most likely not cover costs associated with expired passports. Our advice would be to ensure your passport is within 10 years of issue and is valid for at least six months from the date of departure to ensure it will be accepted in most countries.”
