Double-check Your Passport Dates Before You Fly!
It has now happened to two sets of our clients recently; not being allowed to check in due to the new passport rules.
Last week we took a lovely family of six to Birmingham Airport as they were all going away on holiday together.
Well, that was the plan but it didn’t work out like that. We got a message later in the day to say that the two grandparents couldn’t check in as there was a problem with their passports.
Although the expiry dates on their passports gave them enough time to travel, they didn't have enough validity remaining after their planned return date.
Since Brexit, UK passport holders travelling to countries in the Schengen area must meet two separate rules, and both must be satisfied, not just one.
The passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of travel.
It must have at least 3 months' validity remaining after the planned date of departure from the Schengen area.
This is where many people get caught out. A passport can look perfectly valid, nowhere near its expiry date, and still fail one or both of these tests. Those who renewed early under the old UK system sometimes had unused months carried over onto their new passport, meaning the issue date is now over a decade ago, making it invalid for Schengen travel even if it hasn't expired.
Airlines are required to check both conditions at check-in and can face penalties if they board passengers who will be refused entry. So travellers can be turned away at the airport, long before they reach any border.
The rules apply to all Schengen area countries, which includes most of Europe as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. They do not apply to Ireland, which is not part of Schengen.
The simple advice: before any trip, check both the issue date and the expiry date of every passport, not just whether it covers the duration of the holiday. Remember, you need at least 3 months after you have returned to the UK.
So please, check your passport dates before you fly. It could prove to be a very disappointing and expensive day if you don’t!