A WARNING has been issued to any Brits who have burgundy passports if they are thinking of travelling abroad this year.
There’s a higher chance the old colour breaks travel rules – so anybody who owns one must make vital checks well in advance.
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And even if you have a new passport, it’s crucial you make certain checks to avoid disappointment at the gate.
The classic burgundy colour is no longer issued after the government switched to navy blue passports in March 2020.
That means burgundy passports are all at least five years old – which creates a higher risk they will flout the rules for visiting certain countries.
After the UK left the European Union in 2016, most EU countries now insist British passports must not be beyond a certain age.
The two most important details to check are your passport’s issue date and the expiry date.
If travelling to the EU, it’s crucial that your passport is less than 10 year old.
It must also be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to return home.
Brits heading on their hols continue to be caught out by the rules – as research found that less than 50 percent of people are aware of the 10-year cut-off.
Emergency passports can cost up to £207 – so it is vital to have things in order with plenty of time to go.
There is another reason why burgundy passports are more likely to break the 10-year rule.
Before 2018, any time left on your passport was added to your new passport’s validity.
So, while there may still be plenty of time left before the expiry date, it is more likely to be over 10 years old and invalid for EU travel.
If your passport needs to be renewed, you can apply for a new one either by post or online.
However, it will now cost your more after the price of an online adult application rose by £6 to £94.50.
And a standard child’s passport application fee in the UK has jumped from £57.50 to £61.50.
Why could I be turned away at the airport?
NOBODY wants the nightmare of being turned away at the gate over issues with their passport.
These are the reasons that would cause airline staff to stop you flying.
- Your passport is out of date. If the expiry date of your passport has passed, you will not be allowed to travel. Also, for international flights, it must be valid for at least three months after the date you intend to return.
- Your passport is too old. UK passports must be less than 10 years old to travel to many destinations – including EU countries.
- Your passport is damaged. A British passport is considered to be damaged if details are unreadable, there are missing or detached pages, or if the photo page lamination is lifted to the point the picture could have been swapped. Minor wear and tear is fine.
- Your photo doesn’t match. If your physical appearance has changed significantly, there is a chance that border security officials will stop you travelling.
All of these issues can be solved by renewing your passport.
Plenty of Brits have been caught out, with one horror story emailed to consumer website Money Saving Expert.
Abigail was due to fly to Lisbon for her best friend’s hen do with seven months left on her passport.
She said: “Just as I’m about to get on the plane maybe 50m away, the crew looked at my passport and said I was unable to fly due to an expired passport.
“I had NO IDEA about the 10 year expiry and wasn’t allowed to fly to Lisbon.”
Non-EU countries also have a range of rules about the time that must be left on your passport.
For countries such as Australia, Canada, or the US, the passport must be valid for the whole duration of your stay.
Other countries such as Thailand require your passport be valid for at least six months from the day you enter.
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Alvaro Iturmendi, Confused.com travel insurance expert said: “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.
“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.
“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.
