Brits stranded by Passport Rules in EU

Passport rules are catching out British travellers – and even residents living in EU countries.

Think your passport’s fine because it hasn’t expired? Think again.

British travellers are being stopped, stranded and sent packing over passport rules. Whether you’re flying to France or returning to Spain, one tiny oversight could leave you grounded at the gate.

This is your essential checklist for summer 2025 — just the facts. If you don’t follow these, your holiday could end before it begins.

Check 1: Was your passport issued less than 10 years ago?

Since Brexit, EU countries apply the so-called “10-year rule”. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter any Schengen country.

Many passports issued before September 2018 had extra months added from your previous document. The EU doesn’t recognise these, and neither do most airlines. If your passport was issued more than 10 years ago — even by a day — you could be refused boarding.

Check 2: Does your passport expire at least three months after you leave?

Even if it passes the 10-year rule, your passport must also be valid for at least three months after the date you leave the EU.

For example, if you live in Spain and want to return to the UK for the summer, if you leave Spain on August 1, your passport must be valid until at least November 1.

Check 3: Are you under the 90-day Schengen limit?

Unless you’re a resident, you can only stay in the EU’s Schengen area for 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. That includes holidays, family visits and second-home stays.

Overstay this limit and you could be refused re-entry or even banned from the Schengen zone for up to three years.

Use an online calculator or count backwards 180 days from your planned departure to see how many days you’ve already spent in the EU.

Check 4: Is your passport being stamped properly?

Since Brexit, British passports are no longer waved through. They must be stamped on entry and exit from the Schengen area unless you are a resident. This stamp is how border agents track your 90-day limit.

If your passport isn’t stamped — especially if you use an e-gate — you must keep evidence of travel, such as boarding passes or tickets. If questioned, you’ll need to prove when you entered and left.

Check 5: Are you a resident in Spain? Don’t assume you’re exempt

If you live in Spain and hold a residency card (TIE), you won’t need a passport stamp. But your passport must still have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for three months beyond your return.

Many British residents have been caught out after visiting the UK, then trying to re-enter Spain using an over-10-year-old passport. Airlines may block you from boarding unless you clearly present your TIE as proof of residence.

Make sure your residency card is up to date and carry it every time you travel. Otherwise, you’ll be treated like a tourist — and subject to all the same rules.

Check 6: Are you heading outside the EU? Check the country-specific rules

Passport rules vary around the world. Here’s how long your passport must be valid for when visiting popular destinations:

United States – Must be valid for your entire stay. Six months’ extra validity is strongly recommended.

Canada – Same as the US. Six months is advised.

Australia – Must be valid for at least six months from date of entry.

New Zealand – Must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date.

China, Thailand, India, UAE, Indonesia – All require at least six months’ validity from entry.

Japan – Must be valid for the entire stay, but extra validity is advisable.

Always check the latest requirements for your destination on the UK foreign travel advice page.

Check 7: Are you cutting it close? Renew early

Renewals can take up to three weeks — longer in summer. If your passport is anywhere near the 10-year mark or expiry window, don’t gamble.

You can renew:

Online through GOV.UK — the cheapest option

Via the Post Office’s Check & Send service — digital or paper, with staff ensuring everything’s correct.

Using fast-track services — one-day or one-week, if you’re in a hurry, though appointments are limited and pricey.

During busy months, demand spikes, so apply early. The closer your trip, the riskier it gets.

Check 8: Are you ready for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System?

From October 2025, the EU will roll out a new electronic tracking system for non-EU nationals entering and exiting the Schengen zone. It will log each visit automatically — and any overstays will be flagged instantly.

Until then, manual passport stamps remain essential. After that, the system will take over. Either way, make sure your days are counted accurately and that your documents are in order.

Final word

A passport that looks valid might still get you turned away. The date of issue is just as important as the date of expiry. And for residents living in the EU, the rules don’t disappear — they just get more complicated.

So check your documents. Count your days. Carry your residency card. And renew early if in doubt.

Because the only thing worse than a cancelled holiday is knowing you could have avoided it with five minutes of paperwork.

Stay tuned to the Euro Weekly News for more fresh UK news.

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