There’s plenty to be thinking about when getting ready for your next family trip away including shopping, packing and planning so don’t let passport drama and mistakes take up any precious room
If you’re gearing up for your next big family holiday away you’ll be knee-deep in thoughts of what you still need to pick up for the kids, currency exchange plans and printing off boarding passes – but those aren’t the vital things you need to be paying attention to. Your passport might unexpectedly be the one thing standing between you and actually getting away.
Searches for ‘renew passport UK’ have surged by 5000% in the last 30 days, showing just how many Brits are scrambling to get their documents in order but one simple mistake could see your whole family turned away at the airport.
Passport rules vary by destination and if you’re not careful you’ll find yourself back at the local park with the kids before you can say ‘au revoir.’
Relocation experts at 1st Move International have outlined everything you need to know to avoid a last-minute disaster.
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Travel expert, Mike Harvey, at 1st Move International states the obvious, yet still one that catches so many travellers out.
He said: “Post-Brexit passport rules have caught many travellers off guard, especially those who only check their expiry date. If you’re relocating or travelling long-term, it’s crucial to double-check passport validity to avoid being denied boarding or entry.”
There are new passport rules though, which cloudy the water somewhat and can cause mass confusion.
Mike added that there are rules you should know of. “If you’re planning to travel long term, ensure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay. Many countries enforce a ‘six-month rule,’ meaning your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your departure date.
“For travel to most EU countries post-Brexit, British passports must have been issued within the last 10 years and have at least three months of validity left. This means that even if your passport hasn’t expired, it could still be rejected if it was issued more than a decade ago.
“Passports issued after 2018 are valid for exactly 10 years, but those issued before September 2018 may have had extra months added, making them valid for up to 10 years and nine months. For example, a passport expiring in August 2025 but issued in November 2014 would no longer be valid under the new rules.”
He added that it’s also worth checking which countries apply which rules.
“These rules apply to all 27 EU countries except Ireland, plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein (part of the European Economic Area), and Switzerland.”
He reiterated that when renewing UK passports for anyone in the family, you must check for two things.
“Ensure it was issued less than 10 years before your planned EU entry. Also, check that it has at least three months of validity beyond your departure date. It’s recommended to aim for six months’ validity, as some countries require more.
“Currently, UK passport applications are taking around three weeks. While you can fast-track the process for an extra fee, it’s best to renew well in advance to avoid delays.”
If you still manage to find yourself in a tricky spot abroad and discover that your passport expires while you’re still in the sun, there are things you can do, but depending on where you are, you might find yourself having to take a lengthy, longer and more expensive route home.
Mark said: “If your passport expires while abroad, you’ll need an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). However, ETDs are valid for a single or return journey only, allowing you to travel through a maximum of five countries.
“Some countries may require visas, and others, like Myanmar and Laos, won’t accept an ETD. Over 22,000 ETD applications were made in 2023, so it’s always best to ensure your passport is valid before you travel.”
The advice comes after travel influencer Sabrina Escapes, who calls herself the “Queen of Holidays“, recently took to TikTok to urge her 180,000 followers against another passport faux-pas – getting “novelty souvenir stamps” in their passports, explaining that they can potentially make your passport “invalid”.
She said: “You’re going to want to think twice before you do it – in fact, don’t even do it! It’s becoming increasingly popular to get these novelty stamps as you’re travelling around amazing places around the world. I admit they do look pretty cool, but if you get these in your passport – which is a government document – it makes it invalid.”
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