7 essential passport checks to carry out before you start booking holidays in 2026 – The Mirror
Brits are being warned by travel insurance experts to check their passports for damage and certain pages or you could risk being turned away at border control
Check your passport before you part with your cash and book a holiday(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Travel experts have warned Brits to check their passports
Expiry date: If you’re heading to the EU, passports need to be valid for at least three months beyond the date of departure.
Issue date: Most countries, including EU holiday hotspots like Spain, Portugal and Greece, require a passport to have been issued less than 10 years ago.
Water damage: Minor exposure to water such as a slightly crinkled page is unlikely to be a major issue, but if there’s discolouration or smudges, you may be denied entry at border control.
Damage in general: General wear and tear is usually accepted, but if any pages are torn or missing, your passport may be deemed invalid, especially if it affects any visas, stamps or personal details pages.
Blank pages: According to travel insurance experts at Tiger.co.uk, if you run out of blank pages then your document could be seen as invalid. If you frequently travel, you can pay for a ‘jumbo’ passport with an extra 20 pages to avoid the risk.
Laminate peeling: If the laminate over the personal details page is lifting or peeling, it could raise suspicions of tampering. Even if the information is readable, it’s best to get a new document.
Visas: If you have a UK passport, you currently don’t need a visa if you’re visiting an EU country for a trip lasting less than 90 days. However, always check the Foreign Office’s travel advice for your destination before booking a trip so you’re aware of any visa and entry requirements.
