More than one million British holidaymakers could be denied entry into Europe this summer due to passport validity rules. Research indicates that 705,904 UK passports have less than three months validity remaining, and an additional 347,268 were issued more than a decade ago.
These passports may not meet the entry requirements for Schengen Area countries, which include popular destinations like France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. For non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area, passports must have been issued within the previous ten years and remain valid for at least three months after the intended departure date from the bloc.
Travelers whose passports were issued before September 2018 should pay close attention to the 10-year rule. Prior to this, HM Passport Office could add up to nine months of unused validity from an old passport to a new one upon renewal. This practice means some passports, while technically still valid, may no longer satisfy Schengen entry criteria.
Overall, data from HM Passport Office shows that 2.37 million passports are set to expire this year. Tim Knighton, a travel insurance expert at Compare the Market, advised travelers to verify their passports and the specific entry requirements of their intended destinations. "Many travellers assume if they have a valid passport they can travel overseas without any issues, but that's not always the case," Knighton stated.
Knighton emphasized the urgency, noting that "with more than 700,000 UK passports now having less than three months' validity remaining, it's worth travellers taking a few minutes to check theirs before heading abroad." He added that renewing a passport early could prevent stress and avoid holiday disruptions.
Passport issues have previously led to travel disruptions. One traveler's family holiday was halted at the boarding gate when her daughter's passport was found to not meet the validity requirements for entry into Egypt. In addition to validity concerns, lost and stolen passports also present challenges. In 2025, 422,705 UK passports were reported lost or stolen.
Replacing a lost or stolen passport can be a complex process, although HM Passport Office has reported efficient processing times in recent years, with a median of six days in 2024 and 2025, down from eight days in 2023. Knighton advised travelers to safeguard their passports abroad, as replacement can be costly and stressful. He also recommended comparing travel insurance policies for adequate coverage of lost or stolen documents.