Brexit: 2.5 million people could be caught out by new passport rules

New regulations state holders of British travel documents will require at least six months validity when visiting countries within the EU and EEA

New post-Brexit passport rules could mean that up to 2.5 million people are caught out due to invalid expiry dates. 

Up until 1 January 2021, Britons will continue to be able to travel to EU countries as long as their passport is in-date for the duration of their trip.

However, from the new year, regulations will state that UK nationals will need to have at least six months remaining on their passport when travelling to countries within the EU and EEA. 

These rules do not apply to Ireland.

With the passport office issuing 5 million passports a year – most with a 10 year lifespan – these new rules could see up to 2.5 million people stuck with a passport that has not yet expired but which is not valid for travel in continental Europe.  

In a Parliamentary Question on 5 October, Conservative MP Kevin Foster stated that “in the week ending 4 October 2020, the median average processing time for passport applications was six working days", not including delivery time. 

However, over the summer of 2020 applicants faced lengthy waiting times while the passport office faced a backlog of 400,000 forms. 

A government spokeswoman told The Times: “We have delivered on people’s priorities by leaving the EU and have launched a campaign to help businesses and individuals to prepare.

“The Home Office is encouraging customers to check that their passport will meet the new rules for travel to Europe. If you need to renew your passport, please make sure that you apply in good time and ahead of booking any travel.”