Holidaymakers risk being turned away from flights
Hundreds of people have said they’ve been forced to miss holidays over neglecting to check their passports. It comes as new Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained by Co-op Insurance from the Passport Office found more than a million UK passports will expire between now and the end of 2025.
With many Brits currently gearing up for summer breaks, or planning to head abroad later in the year, findings suggest many are cutting it fine. And if your passport is invalid, you simply won’t be able to travel.
A number of countries, including the US, mandate a passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date for eligibility to travel there. For trips to the EU Schengen Area, passports must be valid for at least three months following the day of departure, and have been issued less than 10 years before the date you plan to enter.
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Co-op Insurance said some 10% (200) of the 2000 UK adults asked said they have missed a holiday due to failing to renew their passport. FOI data further revealed that nearly a quarter of a million passports were reported as either lost or stolen last year.
The Passport Office disclosed that Hong Kong and Spain were the top locations where passports were most frequently reported missing. Losing a passport can be extremely stressful, particularly considering the £94.50 replacement cost, or £222 if you want it within a day.
On top of potential passport issues, Co-Op Insurance said nearly one in six Brits (15%) confessed to always holidaying without travel insurance. Given that the average medical expenses claim has been just over £2,500 so far in 2025, those without coverage are exposing themselves to substantial financial risk, the firm added, urging that people make sure their travel documents are up-to-date and that they have appropriate cover before heading to the airport.