Brexit passport rule changes

Validity rule to change after December 31

BRITISH people travelling within the European Union should be aware passport validity rules will change after December 31 because of Brexit.

During the current transition period, UK passports are valid for travel anywhere in the 27-member EU bloc up to and including the date of expiry.

However, from January 1, next year, travellers may need extra months of validity on the crucial travel document or to renew their passport before their journey.

From the start of 2021, rules will require UK passport holders to have six months validity remaining on their passports - and the EU will consider the date of expiry to be 10 years after the document’s date of issue.

Until September 2018, the UK’s Passport Office had a generous policy of granting credit for ‘unspent’ time on the document - it meant a passport could be issued and be valid for 10 years and up to nine months.

In theory this could mean a passport issued on June 2011 could appear to be valid until March 2022.

Many people are said to be unaware of the change are advised to check their passports the resulting confusion and alarm with stories in British newspapers that travellers could be barred from crossing borders.

The British Embassy in Madrid has advised people to check, signing up to alerts on official website gov.uk/livinginspain to be made aware of any changes and to visit www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021 for travel advice.

A spokesperson said: “UK nationals can continue to travel to the EU exactly as they do now until December 31, 2020. You won’t need a visa or additional requirements such as six months left on your passport or evidence of a return ticket.

“You may need to renew your passport earlier if you are travelling from January 1, 2021.”