Since Brexit, new rules for British passport holders were introduced when travelling to the European Union and Schengen Area. As we approach the peak holiday period, the 10-year passport rule is catching people out at the airport preventing them from boarding flights.
UK passport holders are now considered ‘third-country nationals’ by EU and Schengen countries, so entry rules have tightened. Your passport must be issued less than 10 years before your arrival date (the day you land on holiday) and be valid for three months from the final day of your holiday.
Holidaymakers whose passports don’t meet the EU’s passport requirements are denied boarding, so it’s vital to check if your passport needs renewing when you book your holiday, rather than on the way to the airport.
You can also only stay for a maximum of 90 days within a six-month period in Schengen countries. Previously, you could have stayed as long as you liked.
We explain everything you need to know about the post-Brexit passport rules here.
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Is my passport valid for holidays to the EU?
Since the UK left the European Union, your passport needs to fulfil two criteria when you visit Europe’s Schengen zone.
- It must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you enter the EU/Schengen Zone
- It must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.
For example, if you’re entering Spain on 5 August 2024 and returning to the UK on 19 August, your passport needs to have been issued after 5 August 2014 and be valid until 19 November 2024.
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Why is the 10-year rule important for UK passport holders?
Some UK passports have more than 10 years of validity because until September 2018 the UK Passport Office would add any existing validity on your current passport to your new passport when you renewed.
So if your old passport was still valid for nine months when you applied for a new passport, that new passport would be valid for 10 years and nine months. But since Brexit, EU countries no longer accept the additional validity.
Do these post-Brexit passport rules apply to all European countries?
These passport rules apply to all EU member states except Ireland. They also apply to other countries and microstates in Europe’s Schengen zone: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland.
Your passport also needs to meet these requirements if you visit Bulgaria, Cyprus or Romania, which are in the EU but aren’t part of the Schengen area. You can check entry requirements for specific countries on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office‘s (FCDO) advice pages.
My passport was issued more than 10 years ago – can I travel in the EU?
No, not if your passport will be more than 10 years old on your day of arrival, so you’ll need to apply for a new passport.
If you do try to travel, it’s likely that you’ll be stopped from boarding at the gate and you won’t be able to claim a refund for the flight. These rules only apply to travel to EU countries, and not to the rest of the world.
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Do I need three months or six months left on my passport?
You need at least three months left on your passport on the day you plan to leave the EU/Schengen Zone.
When the Brexit transition period came to an end, there was some confusion about whether travellers needed six months, but the EU has since issued a clarification.
What about travelling to Ireland?
The rules for British passport holders haven’t changed since Brexit. Your passport just needs to be valid and in date, and the 90/180-day rule doesn’t apply.
Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area, which means British citizens don’t technically need a passport to visit – only a valid ID. However, some airlines, including Ryanair, insist you have a valid passport so it’s best to carry one.
If you fly to Ireland, Irish border officers may also ask to see proof of nationality, so the UK government advises taking your passport with you.
Do I need a visa to travel to Europe?
No. Tourists don’t need a visa for short visits to the Schengen zone. You can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period as a British passport holder. This means that you can visit as many Schengen countries as you like as long as you don’t exceed 90 days in total within 180 days.
In January 2023, Croatia joined the Schengen zone, meaning that any time spent there now counts towards your 90-day limit.
Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania have their own individual 90-day limits. If you travel to one of these countries, it doesn’t count towards the 90-day limit for the Schengen zone.
What is the current wait time for a new passport?
The passport office advises that it will take up to three weeks. However, if more information is needed or you need to be interviewed, it could take longer.
If you do need a new passport, make sure you leave enough time to get it renewed. The Passport Office often gets busier in the months before school summer holidays and Christmas, as there is a rush of renewals.
Passport fees
Online passport renewals (made within the UK) for adults aged 16 years or older cost £88.50. Passports for children under 16 cost £57.50.
Postal passport renewals are more expensive; £100 for adults and £69 for children.
The cost of fast-track renewals is £166.50 for adults and £135.50 for children.
What can I do if I’m denied entry due to my passport being invalid?
It’s the passenger’s responsibility to make sure their passport is valid, and you can’t claim compensation if you are turned away at the airport because it’s not.
If the airline wrongly denies you boarding due to a misinterpretation of the EU’s passport rules, you may be entitled to denied boarding compensation and associated costs if you can prove that to be the case.