British holidaymakers are being urged to check their passports carefully before travelling abroad, as new research suggests widespread confusion remains over post Brexit travel rules and passport requirements.
A survey of 500 UK adults carried out by Saga Travel Insurance found many travellers are unsure about passport validity rules, Schengen area restrictions and upcoming European travel requirements, leaving some at risk of disruption or even being denied travel.
The findings revealed 16% of people do not know when their passport expires, while 10% have less than a year remaining on their document. A further 8% said they are currently holding an expired passport.
The research also found one in 14 travellers, equivalent to 7%, have previously been refused entry to a country because their passport did not have enough validity remaining.
Michelle Cooper, Director of Travel Insurance at Saga, said many travel problems can be avoided with a few simple checks.
View 2 ImagesA travel expert warned that simple passport mistakes could disrupt holiday plans.(Image: Getty Images)
She said: “Nobody should have their holidays ruined because of a simple passport error. A few quick checks can help people avoid unnecessary stress, unexpected costs and disruption at the airport.”
According to the survey, 80% of holidaymakers were unaware that passport validity requirements differ depending on the destination. Half of those questioned incorrectly believed every country requires at least six months remaining on a passport before travel.
Cooper warned travellers to research the specific rules for their destination before departure.
She said: “It’s important to check the specific rules of the country you’re travelling to so that you know how long you need remaining on your passport. Some destinations require three months remaining on your passport, while others require six months.
“If you travel to a country without enough time left on your passport, there is a possibility you’ll be denied entry from the country. This could be by your airline, before flying, or by border security, once you reach your destination.
“If you’re denied boarding or refused entry because your passport doesn’t meet those rules, travel insurance is unlikely to cover costs such as cancelled accommodation, missed flights or return travel expenses. This is because the responsibility typically sits with the traveller to ensure their passport meets the entry requirements of the country they’re visiting.
“That’s why checking your passport carefully before travelling is one of the most important things you can do before a holiday.”
Frequent travellers are also being reminded to check how many blank pages remain in their passports, as some countries require a minimum number for entry stamps or visa documentation.
Cooper said: “People can sometimes focus entirely on expiry dates and forget to check how many blank pages they have left, but some destinations can refuse entry if there isn’t enough room for official stamps or visa documentation.”
The research found confusion remains particularly high around European travel rules introduced after Brexit. Despite British travellers having been subject to the Schengen area’s 90 day in 180 day rule since 2021, half of respondents said they were still not confident they understood the requirements.
The rule applies across 29 countries in the Schengen area, including France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece.
Cooper explained: “If you’re travelling to Europe for an extended period, you may now be required to apply for a new visa type.
“Travellers can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area within any rolling 180-day period, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
“The 180 days are counted backwards from each day you’re in the EU or a Schengen country, so every trip adds up. That means even frequent short breaks can push you over the limit without realising.
“If you go beyond 90 days, you could face fines or even a ban from re-entering. Anyone planning to stay longer will need to apply for the new Schengen Visa.”
Saga also highlighted ongoing confusion surrounding the so called 10 year passport rule. Cooper noted while new passports are issued for exactly 10 years, some passports issued before 2018 remained valid for 10 years and nine months.
She said: “EU and Schengen countries require passports to be less than 10 years old on the day of entry. While all new passports last exactly ten years, passports issued before 2018 remain valid for 10 years and nine months.
“If you have an older passport, make sure you check both the issue date and expiry date before travelling to avoid problems at the border.”
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The company also reminded travellers the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, known as ETIAS, is expected to be introduced from late 2026. Under the scheme, British travellers visiting most European countries for short stays will need to obtain approval before departure, similar to the ESTA system used for travel to the United States.