How to know if you need to check your passport
THE last thing anyone wants to do is turn up to the airport and find out they can't board their plane because of a passport issue.
Here we tell you how to make sure your passport is valid for your flight.
How will I know if I need to check my passport?
You should always check your passport before booking any holidays.
However now because of Brexit, you must make sure you check how long is left on your passport before you fly to the EU.
Since the UK left the European Union, there have been two important changes to British passports.
These are:
- Passports must have no more than 10 years of validity on them (any additional months are no longer included)
- Passports must have at least three months left on them to travel to countries in the EU
In the past, Brits had backdated months on their passport which were allowed to count as the three month minimum, but that is no longer the case.
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Some passengers have been stopped from boarding their flights after their passports didn't meet these rules.
The government has also warned that Brits are waiting up to 10 weeks to get a new passport, up from the usual three - so it's worth checking yours in plenty of time before your holiday.
What do I need to check on my passport?
The Government has an online service to help hopeful holidaymakers to check their passports.
You can check if your passport will be valid for your holiday on the .
To use the tool you will need to know:
- When your passport was issued
- When your passport expires
- The date you plan to travel
It can take three weeks to get a new passport, although delays during busy periods can be as much as eight weeks.
If you need one sooner, you can pay extra although this isn't guaranteed and is only for reasons such as travelling for work, compassionate reasons or to prove your identity.
The Post Office offers a paperless Digital Check & Send service with no forms and no fuss, from £16.
