10-year passport rule: Everything you need to know

If you’re getting ready for a trip to an EU country, make sure you double check the date on your passport. What we mean by this is not only seeing when your passport expires, but also when it was issued. Ever since Brexit happened, some travel rules for UK citizens have changed, including the 10-year passport rule.

Now, many EU countries don’t accept British passports issued more than 10 years before the date of travel. In this guide, we’ll explain what the 10-year passport rule is and how you can make sure you’re prepared for your holiday.

While you’re getting everything ready for your trip abroad, you might also want to consider spending options. The Wise card from the money services provider Wise is designed for low-cost spending around the world, automatically converting your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate. There’s only a small, transparent currency conversion fee, or none at all if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

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What is the 10 year passport rule?

So, what is the 10-year passport rule all British passport holders should know about?

It’s another important thing you should consider other than your passport expiry date.

Since the UK left the EU, the majority of EU countries have stopped accepting UK passports that have been issued more than 10 years ago. Before Brexit, UK travellers had the option of transferring up to nine months of unused validity from their old passport to their new one and therefore extending its validity beyond 10 years.

Besides this, you should also be mindful of the expiry date on your passport before travelling to the EU. It needs to be valid for at least another three months after your travel date.

These rules apply to all EU countries except Ireland, which still has its separate travel arrangements with the UK. They also apply to Switzerland and countries that are part of the EEA - Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

Is my passport still valid?

To make sure you’re not turned away at the airport, check your passport’s validity before travelling.

After checking your personal details and making sure they’re up-to-date, read the entry requirements for the country you’ll be travelling to on the UK government’s website. You’ll be able to see whether your destination country applies the 10-year passport rule.

Check your passport’s date of issue and expiry date next. You usually need to have at least three months left in order to travel.

Lastly, make sure your passport has enough pages left and that it’s not damaged. Once you check all these things off your list, your passport should be good to go. If there’s an issue along with any of these steps, you’ll need to get a new one.

How do I renew my passport?

If you’ve realised that your upcoming travel will be affected by the 10-year passport rule, you’ll need to renew your passport. Depending on how much time you have left before leaving, you’ll be able to decide between the standard service and getting a fast-track passport.

If you’re not in a rush, you’ll also be able to save some money. Passport applications can be done online or using a paper application form. You can get the form at a Post Office that has a Check and Send service or by calling the Passport Adviceline. The online route costs £88.50 and the paper one is £100.²

You’ll usually get your passport in three weeks.³

There are two options when you need a new passport urgently - the 1 day premium and the 1 week fast track service. The first one costs £207.50, while the other is £166.50. You apply online, go to an appointment and then either get your passport right away or get it delivered.

Travelling Abroad? Choose Wise Card

And there you have it - all the info you need regarding the 10-year passport rule. In order to avoid any uncomfortable situations, make sure you search for updated entry requirements before travelling to any country.

When it comes to travelling comfortably, it’s also important to consider how you’ll be spending while abroad. The Wise card is the ideal travel companion, as it lets you spend and withdraw in the local currency in 150+ countries.

This international debit card automatically converts your pounds into the local currency using the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a small, transparent currency conversion fee. Or if you already have the foreign currency in your Wise account, it’s completely free.

Open a Wise account online and you can order your own Wise card for a one-time cost of just £7.

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Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 12-June-2024