Abta urges passport validity check ahead of Easter getaway

Abta is encouraging anyone planning to travel to Europe to make sure their passport is valid for their trip ahead of the Easter holidays.

The advice comes as some people are still getting caught out by a change in rules for British passport holders that has been in effect for more than four years.

People are still being turned away at airports due to their passport not meeting the rules, the travel association warned.

More: Passport application fees set to increase on April 10 

British passport holders travelling to the Schengen area – which is countries in the EU (except Ireland) as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City – need to make sure their passport meets two main validity requirements, which are independent of each other.

1. The passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date they enter the country.
2. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the day they plan to leave.

Travellers need to check both the date of issue to ensure that their passport is no more than 10 years old when they enter the country, and also the expiry date to make sure they will have at least three months left when they return to the UK.

The association issued a four-step guide to checking passport validity for Europe:

1. Visit the FCDO travel advice to find the passport rules for the country you’re planning to visit.
2. Be aware that most countries in Europe will require your passport to have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country, so check the ‘date of issue’.
3. Check the ‘date of expiry’ to make sure it has the required amount of months left when you return, as most countries in Europe will require at least three months’ validity.
4. If you need to renew, applying online at Gov.UK is the cheapest way to do so.

Abta communications director Graeme Buck said: “It’s quick to follow our four steps to make sure your passport is valid and you won’t be stopped from travelling. This is particularly important if your passport is due to expire in the next year or so.

“For extra peace of mind that you’ve got all your travel documentation in order, book with an Abta member travel agent or tour operator who can guide you through the requirements and offer any other expert help and advice you might need.”