Travel warning as holidaymakers urged to check their passports as new rules set to be implemented within days

06/04/2025

British tourists have been encouraged to make crucial passport checks before travelling abroad to avoid holiday disasters.

Experts have warned that travellers must verify if their passport is over 10 years old or in its final six months before expiring.

The alert comes as tourists continue to be caught out by varying entry requirements across different countries.

Since Britain’s departure from the European Union in 2016, these strict rules now apply to most EU countries.

Passport prices will increase on April 10

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When travelling to EU countries, your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter.

It must also remain valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. Those with burgundy passports should be particularly cautious when planning trips abroad.

Passports issued before 2018 may cause unexpected problems despite appearing to have plenty of validity remaining. This is because prior to 2018, any time left on your old passport was added to your new passport’s validity period.

While the expiry date might suggest adequate time remaining, these passports could violate the crucial 10-year rule.

Holidaymakers should be aware of non-EU countries’ requirements and check carefully before travel.

For destinations such as Australia, Canada, or the United States, your passport needs to be valid for the entire duration of your stay.

Other countries have stricter requirements. Thailand, for example, demands that passports remain valid for at least six months from the day of entry.

If you need to renew your passport, apply online through the GOV.UK website is the most cost-effective option.

When travelling to EU countries, your passport must be less than 10 years old when you enter

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Currently, online renewals cost £88.50 for adults aged 16 or older. For children under 16, the price is £57.50.

Those needing to fast-track their application will face a significantly higher fee of £166.50. Paper applications can be submitted at Post Office branches, but these come with a higher price tag.

Travellers should allow sufficient time for passport processing, with the Passport Office advising up to three weeks for replacements.

The months leading up to school summer holidays typically see a surge in renewal applications. Similarly, the pre-Christmas period experiences higher demand for passport services.

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Written by: radioroxi

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