Freedom to explore — but border rules could stop you before takeoff. Credit:
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British travellers are still being turned away at airports this summer with valid passports, and they’re still being sent home. On June 13th 2025, multiple passengers flying from Manchester and Birmingham were denied boarding after failing to meet Spain’s post-Brexit entry rules. It’s not due to their passports expiring, but they still didn’t meet the qualification.

What was the reason for this? A new rule frequently catches UK citizens off guard, which is that your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the EU. It must also have at least 3 months remaining before your return date. This is a very strict Technical and enforced rule that you should be aware of before leaving the UK.

What changed?

Since January 1, 2021, British passport holders are no longer treated as EU citizens at the border. To enter any Schengen country or Spain, your passport must now meet two separate conditions:

  • It must be less than 10 years old as of the date of entry.
  • It must have at least 3 months’ validity left from your plant return date.

 This would mean that someone with a passport expiring in November 2025 but issued in June 2015 can be turned away from an airport today because the passport is too old, even though it isn’t technically expired.

Many British travellers are still unaware that the issue date matters now more than ever, as much as the expiry.

It’s a Brexit-era rule, and nearly 5 years later, it continues to catch people out, especially those who renew their passwords early before 2018. You are not always stopped at the border; airlines are rejecting passengers at UK airports sometimes just hours before takeoff. 

Real cases in June 2025.

On June 13, 2025, reports emerged of British travellers being denied boarding at Manchester and Birmingham airports. 

  • Despite the passports not having expired in each case, the issue was the 10-year rule, and the passports had passed their issue date limit.
  • Making them invalid for the EU, despite their expiry date appearing delicate.

In most cases, it’s not even Spanish border control; it’s the airline itself, right at the check-in desk. The staff use automated systems to check both return buffers and issue dates, and once it’s flagged, there’s little room for argument. 

The terminology of a valid password no longer means what it used to be, and unless travellers check the fine print, they might not realise that they timed out. Unless it’s too late and they’ve already paid for their flight, are waiting to board the plane, and are being rejected at check-in.

Who is most at risk?

The rule applies to everyone, but there are certain travellers who are more likely to get caught out. The risks include:

  • Anyone with a passport issued before mid-2015: Many of these documents will still appear valid on the expiration date, but have already passed the 10-year cut-off used by EU authorities.
  • People relying on experience: This approach will not work under the new rules because seasoned travellers who have visited Spain for years, often with one minor detail missing, such as not counting calendar deals, can lead to refusal.
  • Last-minute booking:  those who plan extended stays of several weeks or span across multiple countries are vulnerable to Schengen miscalculations; some don’t realise that the other countries count against their total.

Airlines are now using automated verification tools at check-in. These systems will scan password dates against the destination rules, and if there’s a mismatch, then boarding will be denied for the traveller. 

There is no flexibility, no discussion; once flagged, your holiday is over before it even begins.

The rules are not new, but the consequences are

Five years after Brexit, the most common mistake in travelling is still not knowing what has changed. Now, with the Schengen limit, the passport cut-off, and the return date buffer. None of these rules are hidden anymore, and they’re not always that obvious either.

 In 2025, they will be enforced more consistently with the aid of automation, leaving no room for interpretation. Spain isn’t targeting British tourists, but the systems in place at airport borders and check-ins are not leaving any space for excuses.

If you’re flying this summer, check the issue date. Count your days. Run your itinerary through a calculator if you’re unsure.

Because in 2025, the difference between boarding a flight and missing your trip might be a passport that’s three months too old, and no one tells you until it’s too late.