Urgent warning to holidaymakers over passport issue that could stop you travelling

Passengers travelling through one of the UK's busiest airports over the festive period have been warned to check their passports before they fly - or risk being denied boarding.

In an update to its X account and website this week, London Luton Airport is reminding travellers to check the validity of their documents - especially if they were issued before September 2018. 

The airport served 16.9 million passengers travelling on 132,000 flights in 2024.

On X, it wrote: 'Is your passport over 10 years old? If you're travelling to an EU country, you will need to renew your passport before you travel.'

Due to the EU's '10-year rule,' which came into effect for Brits after Brexit in January 2021, UK passports are required to be less than 10 years old on the day of entry. 

On its website, London Luton Airport further advised: 'You will need to renew your passport if there’s less than three months left on your passport while you’re travelling or your passport is 10 years old or more on the day you enter an EU country.'

Before the change, it was possible for UK travellers to carry up to nine months from on old passport over to a new one, meaning that the document would be valid for more than 10 years. 

British holidaymakers travelling through London Luton Airport (pictured) are being reminded to check the validity of their documents - especially if they were issued before September 2018

The airport wrote in an X post: 'Is your passport over 10 years old? If you're travelling to an EU country, you will need to renew your passport before you travel'

Due to the EU's '10-year rule,' British passports are required to be less than 10 years old on the day of entry

However, this is no longer counted for travel to 26 EU and Schengen area nations, with Ireland being the exception.

In essence, travellers with passports issued after September 2018 will not be affected by the rule as their documents are typically valid for exactly 10 years - but those with passports issued before this date may have to check their validity before flying.

When returning from an EU or Schengen area country, travellers must also have at least three months remaining on their passports from the date they plan to travel home.

Outside of the EU, the rules vary by country, so it is always worth visiting the gov.uk website for specific entry requirements. 

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