As the sixth anniversary of Brexit approaches at the end of the month, most British citizens have become accustomed to the travel changes resulting from it. Many will be utilizing their blue passports for vacations in sunny destinations this summer.
Despite this familiarity, there is a persistent passport rule that catches many Brits off guard, leading to holiday disruptions. Checking your passport now can help you avoid a last-minute rush to the passport office just before your trip and allow ample time to resolve any issues before heading to the airport.
Before Brexit, if you renewed your passport with remaining validity, up to nine months from the old passport could be carried over to the new one. This practice allowed some individuals to have passports valid for ten years and nine months, enabling uninterrupted travel within the EU during the entire validity period.
However, post-Brexit, a new regulation stipulates that British citizens must possess passports issued less than 10 years prior to their entry into a country. Thus, while an old passport might still be valid for travel time, it could exceed the 10-year rule.
It’s crucial to note that passports must remain valid for at least three months after your planned return date from EU countries, with some non-EU destinations requiring six months of validity. Verify your passport’s validity based on your return date to the UK, not your departure date.
Checking your passport now is advisable as passport renewal is quicker during this period compared to peak summer months. According to data from @passportwaiting, the average processing time for adult passport renewals is currently under nine days.
Past instances have seen delays at the Passport Office, resulting in weeks-long waits for travel documents. In 2022, a surge in passport renewal applications for post-COVID travel led to delays of up to 10 weeks, causing holiday cancellations and travel disruptions.
Renewing an adult passport online costs £94.50, or £107 for a paper application. For urgent needs, prices escalate to £178 for a fast-track one-week renewal and £222 for the premium one-day service. Resolving passport issues early can help avoid higher costs.
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