Oh the common-or-garden passport. That little blue (or burgundy) e-book holds the facility to unlock beachy escapes, weekend metropolis breaks, and dreamy European summers. BUT, in the event you haven’t checked yours not too long ago, you would be in for a nasty shock on the airport due to the brand new UK passport guidelines.
Hundreds of Brits have been caught out by latest rule modifications, principally due to the complicated 10-year rule. Figures present that one in 20 folks have truly needed to cancel, postpone or miss a visit fully due to passport issues. Don’t let that be you!
So, what’s modified?
Not hundreds with the applying course of – you continue to apply on-line or on the Publish Workplace. BUT from 10 April 2025, the value has gone up once more. A normal grownup passport now prices £94.50, which makes ours one of many priciest passports in Europe. Cheers for that.
You need to get it again in round three weeks (from when the paperwork are acquired, not whenever you put up them). Although, this will drag out round faculty holidays, as a result of everybody and their canine instantly wants a passport renewal then. And I’ve additionally heard of individuals getting them sooner, so who is aware of actually? Greatest to simply ship it off ASAP.
The ten-12 months Rule that’s catching folks out
Since Brexit, UK passport holders are actually seen as ‘third-country nationals’ when travelling to the EU. This implies:
- Your passport should have been issued lower than 10 years earlier than the day you depart.
- It should have at the very least 3 months left earlier than it expires on the day you return.
That is particularly tough in case your passport was issued earlier than September 2018. Again then, the Passport Workplace generally added leftover months out of your previous passport onto the brand new one – so you would have a passport that seems in date, however was truly issued greater than 10 years in the past.
It was okay, however since Brexit, it’s not.
Consequence? You can get turned away on the gate, even when it doesn’t expire for months. Brutal.
You received’t get compensation both. It’s your duty to test.
Is your passport truly legitimate?
Right here’s a fast guidelines to keep away from any drama:
- Is your passport nonetheless in date? ✅
- Was it issued after September 2018? ✅
- Will or not it’s lower than 10 years previous whenever you fly dwelling? ✅
- Does it have at the very least 3 months left on it whenever you come again? ✅
- Have you ever checked the passport guidelines for the nation you’re visiting? ✅
Should you answered ‘no’ to any of those… it is advisable to type it out!
Want a brand new passport quick?
You’re not alone – 1 in 5 Brits have needed to renew their passport inside weeks of journey in accordance with the stats. Should you’ve left it too late for the common route, you may have to e-book a fast-track appointment at one of many UK’s seven passport workplaces.
High tip: the closest workplace won’t have any slots, so be ready to journey. You’ll find occasions and costs for pressing providers right here.
Don’t overlook the youngsters!
Kids’s passports solely final 5 years, and it creeps up quick. Double test them – getting an pressing little one passport appointment can take per week or extra.
Keep away from faux web sites
Please, for the love of journey, be sure to’re on the official passport website when making use of. Some rip-off websites look equivalent however cost far more – or worse, steal your information.
Need assist? The Publish Workplace gives a Examine & Ship service for £16. They’ll test your docs, be sure that your photograph is legitimate, and ship all of it through Particular Supply. Should you’re going to pay anybody for help together with your passport, pay them.
What’s new with the passports themselves?
UK passports are actually blue, biometric, and full of high-tech anti-fraud options like holograms and microprinting. When the brand new Entry/Exit System (EES) is launched within the EU (someday in 2025), passports will likely be scanned digitally, so no extra stamps.
Until you’re travelling with a toddler. Then it’s again to the guide queue with you.
Will we’d like a visa for the EU?
Quickly, sure. Enter: ETIAS – the European Journey Info and Authorisation Scheme. From someday in 2025 (delayed once more… shocker), UK travellers might want to apply on-line for permission to go to the EU.
It’s mainly Europe’s model of the US ESTA. It’ll value €7, final for 3 years, and ought to be permitted in minutes. Ought to. There’ll be a six-month grace interval when it begins, however count on some teething issues and doable delays at passport management.
Remaining passport ideas for 2025
- Examine your passport BEFORE you e-book your flights
- Triple test for youths’ expiry dates
- Be sure to’ve bought sufficient time left AND it wasn’t issued greater than 10 years in the past
- Solely use the official GOV.UK website
- E-book fast-track providers early if wanted
