14:35, 28 Jan 2026Updated 14:37, 28 Jan 2026<\/p>\n
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Failing to check this detail before your trip could put an end to your travel plans(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
Holidaymakers heading overseas are being urged to verify a passport detail or face the possibility of being turned away at airport check-in. Failing to complete this check could completely disrupt your travel arrangements.<\/p>\n
Numerous considerations must be addressed when organising a trip. Between selecting appropriate clothing and essentials to securing travel cover and necessary documentation, the preparation process can feel quite daunting.<\/p>\n
This stems from the reality that various countries maintain different requirements concerning passport expiry dates. The Post Office states on its website<\/a>: “Some countries might ask that your passport’s valid for your whole time away and even a bit longer, sometimes up to six months.<\/p>\n “If you don’t check these rules, you could run into problems<\/a>, like not being able to board your flight or being denied entry when you land.”<\/p>\n To locate your passport expiry date, you’ll need to refer to the document’s data page(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n As a precautionary measure, travellers should confirm their passport remains valid for a minimum of six months beyond their departure date – since numerous countries insist upon this timeframe. Your passport’s expiration date can be found on the data page, which additionally displays your image, birth date, and document reference number.<\/p>\n Passport validity<\/p>\n Prior to departure, confirm the specific regulations for your chosen destination. Below are illustrations of varying country policies:<\/p>\n Europe<\/p>\n Across most European nations, three months of passport validity is required. Though British citizens visiting EU and Schengen zone countries face additional stipulations, notably that passports must not exceed 10 years old. The rules in the UK changed at the time of Brexit.<\/p>\n The Post Office clarifies: “Passports issued after 2018 are valid for exactly 10 years. But if your passport was issued before September 2018, it might be valid for up to 10 years and nine months.<\/p>\n “This is because, before 2018, the passport office would add up to nine extra months from your old passport to your new one. This means some people have passports that haven’t officially expired and are still valid for travel worldwide.<\/p>\n Some countries might ask that your passport’s valid for your whole time away and even a bit longer(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n “The exception is travel in Europe, where passports must be less than 10 years old.”<\/p>\n For European and Schengen travel, your passport needs to satisfy these criteria:<\/p>\n![\"UK](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_GettyImages-2166172507.jpg\")
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