UK passport holders will tighten themselves up for an imminent price surge from April 10th, as the fees for new adult documents rose to £94.50. To avoid paying more, those planning on traveling abroad this year are being urged to check their passports for overlooked yet crucial details.
Please be aware of the expiration dates of travel documents, and report the Manchester Evening News. Regulations may vary by country, and inconsistencies may stop you with your truck before you board your flight. Mike Harvey of 1st Move International said, “The post-Brexit passport rules caught many travelers, especially those who only check the expiration date.”
For anyone looking for an extended journey or considering traveling abroad, he argued that it is absolutely important to ensure that your passport's longevity is alongside your plan, saying, “If you are traveling or traveling for a long time, it is important to reaffirm the validity of your passport and not refuse to board or enter the country.”
So, what do you need to be aware of when looking at your passport?
Mike said: “If you are planning a long-term trip, make sure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay. Many countries implement the “Six-Month Rules.” This means that your passport must be valid for at least six months on the departure date. ”
Brits eager to fire into post-Brexit EU destinations should be aware of new passport rules that could ruin their travel plans.
“For travel to most EU countries after Brexit, UK passports must have been issued within the last 10 years and remain valid for at least three months,” he continued. “This means that even if your passport has not expired, it could be denied even if it was issued more than 10 years ago.
“Passports issued after 2018 are valid for exactly 10 years, but passports issued before September 2018 have added additional months, which could be valid for up to 10.5 years and nine months. For example, passports that expired in August 2025 but issued in November 2014 are no longer valid under the new rules.”
These strict regulations apply not only to 27 EU countries except Ireland, but also to Iceland's non-EU countries, Norway, Liechtenstein, part of the European economy, and Switzerland.
Travel expert Mike has some important advice for British holiday makers. Please make sure your passport has been issued within 10 years of your EU trip.
Additionally, it is important to verify the validity of at least 3 months beyond the intended stay.
Savvy tourists should aim for six months of effectiveness as many global destinations demand it.
If your passport expires while absorbing the foreign sun, an emergency travel document (ETD) is the ticket home, but is good for one trip.
Mike said, “If your passport expires overseas and you need an Emergency Travel Document (ETD), the ETD is valid for just one trip or can travel to up to five countries. Some countries may require a visa, and countries such as Myanmar and Laos do not accept an ETD.
“Over 22,000 ETD applications were created in 2023, so it's always best to make sure your passport is valid before your trip.”
