No-deal could mean valid passports are refused at airports

A no-deal Brexit could leave a reported 3.5 million Britons with valid passports unable to travel to some European countries including France and Spain.

The government has said some passports with as much as 15 months of validity left will not be accepted for travel in the Schengen Area if the UK plummets out of the EU without an agreement.

Until recently, British passports that were renewed early could be valid for up to 10 years and nine months. The extra nine months will no longer be accepted within the Schengen zone if a deal is not hammered out.

All travellers will need at least six months remaining on their passports to enter most of the EU, but that would be measured at nineand-a-half years from when it was issued.

Consumer group Which? said the Home Office estimates this could affect 3.5 million Britons if they do not renew their passports early.

Its travel editor, Rory Boland, said: “People will be shocked to hear that they could be turned away at airports and prevented from going on holiday – even when their passport is valid for another 15 months.

“As this potentially affects the travel arrangements of millions of people, the government and travel companies must urgently up their efforts to ensure holidaymakers have clear and accurate information – so that no-one is left stranded at the departure gate.”