Lisa Minot warns Brits to ‘check passports now’ ahead of Easter holidays as 32million at risk
MILLIONS of Brits are expected to travel this weekend during the four-day Easter break.
But anyone heading abroad may fall foul of complicated rules at the border.
Despite being introduced in 2021, many travellers are still unaware of the passport rules when booking a foreign holiday.
And people are even being caught out the border – and forced to miss their flights.
The Sun’s Travel Editor Lisa Minot has explained exactly what Brits need to know.
She said: “Travellers used to be able to roll over up to nine unused months from their old passport onto a new one.
“But post-Brexit, anyone wanting to travel to the EU can no longer rely on those extra months.
“In order to travel to the EU, all passports must be no more than 10 years old on the day you arrive in your European destination.
“And you’ll need at least three months on your passport on the day you head back to the UK.
“Figures have shown up to 100,000 holidaymakers a YEAR face being turned away at airports if their passport is more than 10 years old.
“And Home Office data suggests 32 million people had applied for passports that if granted would be over 10 years old when the new rules came into place post-Brexit.”
The new data suggests that the 32million Brits who applied for a passport between March 2014 and September 2018 could be affected.
Lisa continued: “The 10-year rule only applies to countries in the European Union but every country may have different rules on what is accepted – some countries like South Africa, for example, insist you have at least six months left on your passport when you travel and a full clear page.”
A number of Brits have been caught out already.
Earlier this year, paramedic Nathan Barnes was banned from boarding his flight.
The 31-year-old was travelling from Norwich to Limoges to see his family, but realised his passport was more than 10 years old – so crew stopped him boarding.
He explained: “I was gutted, surprised really. We had checked in online and thought it was fine.”
Dad Peter Holt was told his passport was also out of date despite the expiry technically being the year after.
With an issue date of July 2013 and expiry of March 2024, the new rules meant it actually expired in July 2023 – leaving him £3k out of pocket when he missed his holiday.
And 28-year-old Kirsty Hawes was turned away from her £1,050 all-inclusive holiday to Spain with TUI because her passport was 10 years – and a day out.
Brits are also being warned to apply for passports now if they are set to expire.
New price increases are to be introduced on April 11, for the second year-running.
Passports are going up by seven per cent, so standard passports will go up from £82.50 to £88.50.
Kids passports will increase to £57.50, up £4 from £53.50.
The Sun Travel team's holiday essentials
WITH decades of experience and hundreds of countries under their belt, the Sun Travel team have shared some of the essential items they always pack on a trip.
Here are some of the game-changing items we always pack – and some will barely cost you a thing.
- Lisa Minot, Head of Travel – Global travel plug with USB (£64)
- Caroline McGuire, Travel Editor – Hotel Slippers
- Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor – Pack of 40 earplugs (£40)
- Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor – 1 litre water bottle (£8.99)
- Ryan Gray, Travel Reporter – Bluetooth eye mask (£16.50)
- Giuli Graziano, Travel Writer – AirTag luggage location tracker (£29.99).