Travel expert Simon Calder has issued a stark warning to anyone planning to head abroad this June, July or August. With countless Britons eagerly anticipating their summer getaways during the peak travel season, Simon has urged holidaymakers to carry out a vital check before departing to avoid “wrecked holidays”. He revealed that “thousands upon thousands” of travellers have already been caught out and missed their pre-booked breaks.
Speaking during a discussion on BBC Radio 2, a holidaymaker recounted how he had been turned away at the boarding gate. James Luton had been due to fly to Portugal last week to celebrate his 50th birthday, but was denied boarding because his passport had been issued more than 10 years ago, despite not having expired.
Britons travelling to EU or Schengen area destinations cannot hold passports older than 10 years upon arrival at their holiday destination. The document must also remain valid for at least three months beyond the date of their planned return home.
Simon appeared on the programme to implore all those with holidays booked to inspect their passports without delay. He said: “Unfortunately, he [James] is just one of thousands upon thousands of people who have fallen foul of this.
“As we speak, there will be people who have headed to the airport, and the same thing will happen to them. It is just absolutely miserable.”
Simon urged, “You must remember, if you are going to the EU apart from Ireland, you cannot have a passport older than 10 years on the day you enter. It is the only part of the world that cares about when your passport is issued.”
“Everywhere else only cares about the expiry date. Please, if you are going away in June, July, and August, please check that your passport will comply.
“Has it had its 10th birthday on the day you plan to go away, and has it got at least three months left on the date you plan to leave? That way, we can hopefully avoid too many more wrecked holidays.”
Prior to 2018, passports could stay valid for up to 10 years and nine months.
This was due to unused months from previous passports being transferred onto new ones, though this practice ended in 2018.
The issue predominantly impacts holders of burgundy passports, as anyone possessing a blue passport obtained it in 2020 or afterwards.
It remains advisable to verify children’s blue passports, as these are generally only valid for five years.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
