Don't get caught out by this little-known UK passport expiry issue

When planning an international trip, ensuring that your passport is valid for the duration of your travels is crucial. Most countries around the world have require your passport to be be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure. The rule acts as a safety net to accommodate unforeseen circumstances or potential delays that could extend your stay beyond the initial travel plans.

But did you know that, even if you have more than 6 months left on your expiry date, you can still be caught out? Take a look at my passport photo below – it clearly shows that my passport expires on 23rd April 2024 (and that it’s valid from 23rd August 2023). This is seemingly all fine for my next planned overseas trip which is not until 26th August 2023. I mean, that’s almost 8 months before the expiry date, so all is well… no?

No! There’s a catch that UK passport holders need to be aware of… if I don’t get my passport renewed now, I would very likely be refused travel at the airport come August. Here’s why…

If you’re a holder of the old burgundy-coloured British passports and you’re travelling to an EU country (except Ireland) or Schengen zone countries such as Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, then your passport cannot be used if it is more than 10 years from the date of issue. It’s a new rule that has come about since Brexit.

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In the case of my passport, my intended travel date of 26th August 2023 would be more than 10 years from the passport’s date of issue (23rd August 2013).

Unsurprisingly, travellers are being caught out by this. It’s not unreasonable to assume that if your passport’s expiry date has more than 6 months remaining, then you are ‘good to go’, but it’s possible you’re not.

So, before that next trip turns to an unexpected disaster, all just because of a technicality, you might like to check your passport…