The new EU passport rules you need to know
We may be approaching the fifth anniversary of Brexit but there’s still some confusion around EU passport rules.
Before the 31 January 2020, British holiday makers could use their passports right up to the expiry date. However, since Brexit, new rules are in place as UK nationals are no longer members of the EU.
Not knowing the new rules is no excuse for having an invalid passport when you arrive at the airport. In the worst-case scenario, it can prevent you getting on a flight and going on holiday. To alleviate any elements of doubt and to help you prepare well in advance for your next trip abroad, we’ve created a handy guide below and listed all the new EU passport rules so you can travel with confidence on your next holiday
The 10-year passport rule
Your passport can’t be 10 years or older on the day you plan to leave the UK. This is the new 10-year passport rule brought in since Brexit.
Also, it needs to be in date by at least three additional months from the time you’re planning on returning to the UK. In fact, the UK government, recommend you have at least six months remaining on your passport at the time you’re due to fly home.
Is my passport valid for travelling in the EU?
If your passport is less than 10 years old and has at least three months remaining at the date you intend to travel, it’s valid. This means you can travel anywhere in the EU for up to 90 days – without an EU visa – within a time frame of six months.
Your valid passport should also be linked to an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). This is a requirement for any non-EU nationals who don’t require an EU visa to enter a European country – including Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Greece – for a short-term stay (less than 90 days). ETIAS last for three years or up until a passport expires. If you get a new passport, you’ll also need to link it to a new ETIAS. Click here to find out more about ETIAS and how you can apply for this new travel authorisation as a British citizen.
What if I’m travelling outside the EU?
If you’re a British passport holder travelling anywhere other than the European Union, passport rules can be different depending on where you’re visiting.
In general, Asian and African countries, including Egypt, and Sri Lanka ask UK passport holders to have at least six months remaining on their passport to be granted entry. This is from the date of departure. However, other countries, including the USA, Japan and Australia, don’t require any extra months to be on your passport apart from covering the dates you plan to stay.
Visit the GOV.UK website to see the new passport rules for specific countries outside the EU.
What if my passport is about to expire?
If you’ve just checked your passport and it’s nearing its 10-year anniversary, you need to apply for a new one ASAP. Home Office advice is to get your new application in at least 10 weeks before you plan to travel. This is to ensure your passport is valid and allows plenty of time for any unforeseen difficulties such as postal delays etc.
Please don’t leave it until the last minute. COVID proved to be one such scenario where thousands of people had to wait significantly longer to get their new passport issued. You never know what’s around the corner, so it’s always best to apply earlier rather than letting your passport expiry date run down to the last few months.
How can I apply for a new passport?
If you have left it very late, don’t worry, there are services that allow you to renew your out-of-date passport in a hurry. These let you get your new passport in as little as three days at a cost of £207.50, or within a week which costs £166.50 – approximate cost at time of writing.
Just remember, your new passport will have a new number so please don’t book a holiday until you have the new number. Click here to find out how to get a new passport urgently.
If you’re applying for a new passport with time to spare, it’s going to be a lot cheaper and certainly less stressful. There are basically two ways to apply for a new passport. Firstly, you can apply online – you will need a debit or credit card and a digital photograph.
You can also apply for a new passport by paper application form. These paper forms are available at your local Post Office. Staff will be on hand to help with taking photos and completing the application form.
Rules around passport photos
A digital photo is required to apply for your new passport online. It must be a new photo to the one on your old passport and has to be taken within a month of the application.
Photos can be taken at a photo booth, in the Post Office, or at designated shops, such as Timpsons. These come at a small fee of around £15 for four photos.
Once your photo has been taken, you’ll receive a hard copy and a digital code. The code is needed during the online application and two hard copies are needed for the paper form application.
You can also take your own passport photo using an app on your iPhone, Android, or digital device (lap-top, iPad etc.). This can be taken at the time of applying online or the app will generate a digital code that you can then use during the application process.
For more information on the rules around passport photos, visit our photo specific blog post.
Chris's backpack maybe gathering dust, but he still fondly remembers walking sections of the Great Wall of China, surfing in California and playing pool in the back streets of Bangkok. He's pleased to say that one of his children has inherited the travel gene and has plans to hike in Nepal - or at least Scotland - in the not-too-distant future.
Chris | About the author
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