London Luton Airport has issued an alert over two passport rules that passengers may not be aware of. Changes came in after Brexit, which now mean there are different requirements when travelling to European countries on a British passport.
A post from the airport’s official account on X, formerly Twitter, reads: “Travelling in the EU? You’ll need to renew your passport if there’s under three months on your passport while travelling [and/or] your passport is 10 years old or more when you enter an EU country”.
While the alert came from Luton Airport, the requirements are the same no matter where you depart from. If your travel document doesn’t meet the rules, you will not be allowed to board the plane.
Before your trip, it’s essential to check your passport well in advance to allow time for any necessary applications or renewals. Applications through His Majesty’s (HM) Passport Office can take about three weeks, but on some occasions, it may take longer, especially “if we need more information, or we need to interview you”.
HM Passport Office says it would notify you if this was the case. Passport prices rose earlier this year, with the of a new standard adult passport currently costing £94.50 for those aged 16 and over via an online application, or £107 when using a paper form.
The standard child’s passport application fee is £61.50 for online, or £74 for postal applications. Should you require the Premium Service for a swift passport issuance, it will set you back £222 for adults and £189 for children.