Summer is now firmly upon us with holiday season in full swing. At the very top of your packing list should be your passport – and there’s one essential rule you need to know that could derail your plans otherwise.
It turns out that different countries have different rules on expiry dates. And apparently, the vast majority of the UK public had no idea. According to a new study, four in five passport holders (as many as 80%) were completely unaware that some countries require three months’ validity left on a passport before travelling, while others ask for six.
A further 16% also didn’t know when their passport expires, while 10% have less than one year remaining on their passport. Even more concerningly, 8% are currently holding documents which have already expired. It’s even stopped some people from boarding the plane, as one in 14 (7%) of holidaymakers have actually been denied entry to a country because they didn’t have sufficient time remaining on their documents.
Michelle Cooper, director of travel insurance at Saga, which commissioned the research, said: ‘A few quick checks can help people avoid unnecessary stress, unexpected costs and disruption at the airport. If you travel to a country without enough time left on your passport, there’s a possibility you’ll be denied entry. This could be by your airline, before flying, or by border security once you reach your destination.’
Failing to plan appropriately isn’t just inconvenient, either. It’s costly. ‘If you’re denied boarding or refused entry because your passport doesn’t meet those rules, travel insurance is unlikely to cover costs such as cancelled accommodation, missed flights or return travel expenses,’ Michelle adds. ‘This is because the responsibility typically sits with the traveller to ensure their passport meets the entry requirements of the country they’re visiting.’
How long do you need left on your passport to travel?
Throughout the EU and Schengen Zone, your passport needs to be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave. It also needs to be less than 10 years old on the day you enter. Michelle says: ‘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.’
In Morocco, you’ll need at least three months after the date you arrive, while visitors travelling to Turkey for a spot of sunshine this summer need to have at least 150 days after the date of arrival. As for the likes of Egypt and China, you’ll need at least six months left.
Can you be denied entry for not having enough space in your passport?
Closely monitoring the expiry date and checking it against the specific country requirements isn’t the only thing you need to do before travelling. As Michelle explains, some countries actually require visitors to keep a minimum number of pages blank to accommodate stamps and visas. She says: ‘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 one with additional blank pages.’
When renewing your passport on the UK Government website, there’s an option to pay extra for a slightly thicker one. It’s called a ‘frequent traveller passport,’ and it costs £116 for an adult edition. There are 20 extra pages, at 54 rather than the bog-standard 34. The price for a child is £80.50, and that covers anyone under 16.
Yes, the gradual rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) means that physical stamping of a passport may become less common. Michelle concludes: ‘For now, requirements can still vary depending on destination and border process.’ So, make sure you keep counting.
