Holidaymakers with plans to jet off abroad this year have been issued a stern warning: double-check your passports or face the risk of being turned away at the border. Travel regulations for trips within the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, or Liechtenstein could see you denied entry at the border even if your passport is technically still valid.
It is generally advised that all passports must be renewed if there is less than three months until its expiry date, or if the passport is 10 years old or more from the day it was first issued. However, travellers should also allow ample time for passport renewal as the process can take several weeks, particularly with the expected surge in people heading overseas during the upcoming February half-term.
If you are pressed for time and need a quick turnaround, you can opt to fast-track your application through, but be prepared to pay an additional fee.
How to see if your passport is valid for your holiday
If you are worried that your passport may not be accepted at the border of your destination country, you can easily check its validity on GOV. UK.
Simply input the country you sre travelling to and review the entry requirements. For instance, Spain has the following rules:
- have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area
- have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
Renewing your passport
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. It should also have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before October 1, 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
To renew your passport, you can grab a form from the Post Office or request one over the phone, which will set you back £100. However, it is simpler and cheaper to renew online for £88.50.
You will need a suitable photo, a debit or credit card and your old passport if you have it. The process is straightforward but ensure all your details are accurate to avoid any delays.
The regulations around photos have become stricter and it needs to be digital for the application. These rules state that the photo must be:
- unaltered by computer software
- in colour
- at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
- at least 50KB and no more than 10MB
- clear and in focus
- be in clear contrast to the background
- be taken against a plain light-coloured background
- contain no other objects or people
- not have ‘red eye’
There are also rules for how you should look in the photo. You must:
- have your eyes open and visible
- not have any shadows on your face or behind you
- not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
- not have anything covering your face
- have a plain expression and your mouth closed
- be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera
- not have hair in front of your eyes
Your best option would be to visit a photo booth or have your picture taken at a shop, which typically costs about £10 – £15, and you’ll receive a code to upload your passport-compliant photograph directly onto the form.
Ensure your eyes are open and visible, avoid any shadows on your face or behind you, and refrain from wearing a head covering unless it’s for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be uncovered, with a plain expression and mouth closed.
You should be facing forwards, looking straight at the camera, without hair obstructing your eyes. The best course of action would be to visit a photo booth or have your picture taken at a shop, which usually costs around £10 – £15.
You will then receive a code to upload your passport-compliant photograph directly onto the form.
