Planning that dream holiday? With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s likely you’re gearing up for a sun-soaked getaway. But there’s one small, red, detail that could put a spanner in the works – your pre-Brexit passport.
There’s nothing more frustrating than arriving at the airport only to realise you’ve forgotten something crucial like your travel document.
Even worse, imagine discovering your passport is expired or invalid for travel. Airlines and airport staff have been urging passengers to check their passport’s validity well before reaching the check-in desk. But how can you tell if your red passport is still valid?
Max Spielmann, known for its in-store passport printing services, has shed light on the rules and regulations surrounding red passports. They want to ensure your holiday remains stress-free from the airport to the sun loungers.
However, travellers should be aware that they could face issues even if their passports appear to have some validity left.
Understanding passport rules
The three-month rule
Heading to the EU? Beware of this subtle rule that has caught many travellers off guard. Numerous individuals have been denied boarding at their airport due to their passport not having a minimum of three months’ validity beyond their intended departure date.
Each passport must be valid for at least three months from the date you plan to leave the European Union Schengen Area, or you risk being denied entry onto your flight.
The six-month rule
If your destination is outside the EU, your passport may need to be valid for an even longer period. Several countries, including Cape Verde, Malaysia and the UAE, demand at least six months’ worth of passport validity beyond your planned arrival date.
This ensures you don’t exceed your permitted stay. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure your passport is valid for at least six months prior to your travel date for a hassle-free journey.
The 10-year rule
Another potential pitfall that could jeopardise your holiday in numerous European nations is the 10-year rule. If your passport was issued before September 2018, it might be valid for more than 10 years.
While this would allow you to visit most countries outside the EU, if you’re travelling to any EU country other than Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the EU country.
Transiting and connecting flights
Even if you’re just passing through, the stringent passport rules apply regardless of whether your final destination observes them or not – if you’re caught out flying from one country to another where these requirements are not enforced, you could still be barred from boarding. The golden rule is to ensure your passport has at least six months left on it and is less than 10 years old every time you plan a journey. Following this practice will help dodge any travel disruptions and last-minute alterations to your itinerary.
Sue Burden, the retail director at Max Spielmann, advised: “The key is to check your passport before booking your holiday to ensure no unwanted surprises. As we offer a passport renewal service, you would be surprised at the number of people who come in to renew their passport with only a couple of days before their flight, after only realising that their passport was invalid or expired.
“We recommend that you check specific entry requirements for your destination country on the official website of the country’s embassy or consulate, as rules can change. And, when renewing your passport, always make sure you allow for plenty of time, and opt for in-store or photo booth photo services to reduce the chance of your passport photo being rejected.”