Brits holding on to their burgundy passports have been cautioned to stay vigilant. Although these passports will remain valid for travel until 2025, it’s crucial to check the expiry date and understand the specific entry requirements of your destination, reports Birmingham Live.
Alvaro Iturmendi, the travel insurance expert at Confused.com, advises: “Booking your holidays can be very exciting, and a welcome distraction to the beginning of the year blues. But no matter how far in advance you’re planning, it’s never too early to check your passport’s validity, so you don’t get caught out last minute.”
Iturmendi also highlighted a common oversight among UK travellers to the EU, stating: “Our research found that less than half (43 per cent) of travellers knew that if you’re heading to the EU, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before their departure date.”
He added a stark warning: “And if your passport doesn’t meet this regulation, it could mean you’re denied entry into the country, or may not even be allowed on the flight in the first place. Either way, it’s likely to lead to a lot of disruption to your holiday plans.”
“An emergency passport could cost up to £207 depending on its urgency. And if you leave it to the last minute, having to take time off work and travel to visit a passport office could become costly and time consuming. This is especially true if you need to visit an office far from home. Unfortunately, travel insurance will not cover the cost of last minute travel for an emergency passport, nor for any missed flights or holidays.”
“It’s important to always double-check your passport’s expiration date as soon as you start planning your trip, and leave yourself ample time to renew it if needed. By using our passport checker, you can save a great deal of time, money, and stress. If your passport needs to be renewed, you can apply for a new one either by post or online.”