Four out of five Brits surveyed didn’t know this passport rule, and even more surprisingly, a huge number don’t know the expiry date of their passport, which could leave them facing a last-minute panic
A shocking 80% of Brits did not know this passport rule(Image: Getty Images)
Holidaymakers are being urged by travel insurance specialists to check their passport details ahead of the busy summer season, as a survey showed a huge percentage of Brits were unaware of a basic passport rule.
The research, carried out by Saga Travel Insurance showed that many Brits didn’t know basic rules around passport validity, entry requirements, and travel regulations post-Brexit. Worryingly, 7% of the people surveyed had previously been denied entry to a country because they didn’t have enough time on their passport to cover the trip.
Saga surveyed 500 people, and found that four out of five (80%) were not aware that different countries have different passport validity requirements, while 50% mistakenly thought that every country requires a passport to have six months remaining before travel.
The travel insurance provider also highlighted that half of the Brits surveyed “are still not confident they understand the visa and travel requirements for visiting Europe after Brexit.” 16% didn’t know when their passport is due to expire, while 8% currently had expired passports gathering dust in a drawer.
One mum recently was left £700 out of pocket after getting caught out by passport rules for a holiday to Greece, meaning she couldn’t board her flight with her husband and children.
Michelle Cooper, Director of Travel Insurance at Saga, said: “Nobody should have their holidays ruined because of a simple passport error. A few quick checks can help people avoid unnecessary stress, unexpected costs and disruption at the airport.”
She added: “It’s important to check the specific rules of the country you’re travelling to so that you know how long you need remaining on your passport. Some destinations require three months remaining on your passport, while others require six months.”
For example, Brits heading to EU destinations such as Spain, Italy or Greece will need a passport that’s valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area, and it must also be less than 10 years old on the day you enter. While Turkey’s validity requirements are at least 150 days after the date you arrive, countries such Australia simply ask that your passport is valid for the duration of your visit.
Michelle also reminded holidaymakers of the 10-year rule which continues to catch Brits out: “EU and Schengen countries require passports to be less than 10 years old on the day of entry. While all new passports last exactly ten years, passports issued before 2018 remain valid for 10 years and nine months. If you have an older passport, make sure you check both the issue date and expiry date before travelling to avoid problems at the border.”
Michelle also urged frequent flyers to check they have enough blank passport pages when they travel, saying: “People can sometimes focus entirely on expiry dates and forget to check how many blank pages they have left, but some destinations can refuse entry if there isn’t enough room for official stamps or visa documentation.
“If you’re a frequent traveller, you should regularly check how many blank pages you have remaining in your passport before booking a trip. You might also benefit from purchasing a passport with additional blank pages.”, she suggested.
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