Swathes of Brits have been stung by a post-Brexit passport rule that has sparked mass confusion – and resulted in passengers being denied boarding, despite having documentation that is still ‘in date’
Brits jetting off across Europe this summer risk being turned away at the gate – even if their passport is still ‘in-date’. Swathes of disgruntled passengers are still being caught out by a sneaky post-Brexit rule that could completely sabotage your next holiday. Even with soaring prices, it might be worth renewing your passport now – rather than risk being denied to fly at the airport.
According to reports, around half a dozen Brits were being turned away every single day at one UK airport due to the way the passport rules – which many feel are extremely unclear – were being applied. So, here’s everything you need to know about travelling across Europe this summer, and when you should renew your passport.
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“If you are a national from a country outside the EU wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a valid passport and possibly a visa,” explains the European Union. “Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU and it must have been issued within the last 10 years.”
To clarify, this means your passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years on the day that you enter an EU country. It must also be valid until the end of your stay, plus an additional three months.
However, one British artist was denied boarding by Norwegian airlines on March 23 as her passport was issued ‘more than nine years and nine months ago’. Her passport’s date of issue was June 13, 2015 – and it is due to expire in August – meaning she meets both criteria laid out by the EU.
“Upon arriving at check-in, the automated system directed me to the desk,” she said. “The staff member consulted a colleague, who stated my passport was invalid because it was issued more than nine years and nine months ago. But there is no such rule. This decision demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the actual entry requirements.”
The anonymous artist claims she lost around £700, and had to spend hundreds of pounds on an emergency passport renewal and replacement flight. According to the Guardian, The Copenhagen police department stood by its decision – and confirmed that once a passport is nine years and nine months old from the date of issue – it is invalid – as the Schengen does not recognise ‘extensions of 10-year-passports’.
Prior to October 2018, Brits renewing their passports could add up to nine extra months from their previous passport on to the expiry date. But post-Brexit, and EU countries are refusing to accept passports that have been issued more than 10 years ago altogether.
How much is a new passport?
Passport fees increased last month (April, 10) meaning a standard online application made from within the UK rose from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults and £57.50 to £61.50 for children. Postal applications also increased from £100 to £107 for adults and £69 to £74 for children.
According to GOV UK, the fee for a Premium Service (one day) application made from within in the UK is now £222 for adults and £189 for children, while overseas standard paper applications increased from £112.50 to £120.50 for adults and £77 to £82.50 for children.
“The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.,” the government added. “The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.”
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