British tourists have been urged to make a few checks to their passports before planning a holiday. This comes after getting a new passport became more expensive this month, up 7% to £94.50 per person.
Passport rules for British travellers have changed in recent years, with more factors to consider to ensure the passport is valid when travelling. Later this year, the EU is also expected to introduce its Entry/Exit System (EES), due to replace passport stamping with facial and fingerprint scanning, and likely to create queues at airports and borders. Ian Wilson, travel insurance expert and Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk said: “We urge holidaymakers to carry out essential passport checks now to avoid last-minute hassle and potentially being turned away at the airport.
“Post-Brexit travel changes are still confusing for many of us, so it’s important for Brits to familiarise themselves with the validity requirements before jetting off to Europe.
“Travellers also need to ensure their passports are in good physical condition, as things like damage from water or ink, rips in pages and laminate peeling from the personal details page can mean that your passport may not be accepted as a valid travel document.
“If you’re denied access to your flight for issues such as an invalid passport, your travel insurance is unlikely to protect you. That’s why it’s so important to double-check these things well in advance of your departure date.”
Seven passport checks to carry out before travelling this year:
1) Blank pages in a passport
All passport holders must have at least two blank passport pages when they travel, otherwise the document could be seen as invalid. Those travelling more frequently can opt for a jumbo passport that has 54 pages instead of a normal one with 34 pages.
2) Expiry date
Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival. In Europe, passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of departure and must have been issued less than 10 years ago. This is an important detail to remember as previously, British passports could be valid for 10 years and nine months, however under EU rules, they’re only valid for 10 years from the issue date.
3) Water damage
If your passport has sustained water damage, you likely won’t be able to use it as a valid travel document. While minor exposure to water such as slightly crinkled page edges shouldn’t be an issue – further damage like smudged ink or discolouration can lead to delays or refusals at the border.
4) Tears or rips in pages
If any of your passport pages are torn or missing, your passport is considered damaged and will likely not be accepted at the border, especially if it affects the personal details page or any visa stamps.
5) Laminate peeling
If the laminate over the personal details page is lifting or peeling, suspicions of tampering could be raised. This is a common reason for passports being flagged or rejected, so even if all the information is readable, it’s best to get your passport replaced to prevent any issues.
6) Visa
Holidaymakers need to familiarise themselves with the entry requirements of the country they’re travelling to, especially if it’s a non-European destination, and acquire a travel visa if needed. When travelling to Europe, you don’t need a visa if you’re going for a shorter trip of up to 90 days.
7) Child passport
A child’s passport is only valid for five years and often expires before parents realise. Parents should check the expiry dates early and renew them in good time to avoid delays or travel disruption.
