Passport rules could change

UK CITIZENS could be blocked from entering EU countries despite having a valid passport in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Currently, there is no requirement for Britons travelling to the bloc to have a minimum or maximum amount of time left on their passports before they expire.

But this could change if the UK departs on March 29 next year without a deal, according to a Government paper.

Most EU countries are signed up to the Schengen Agreement, which allows passport-free travel.

Although the UK is not a member, British citizens are currently able to enter the Schengen area if they have a valid passport, and there is no requirement to have a certain amount of time left before expiry, the Home Office guidance says.

However, if there is no deal, British passport holders will be considered “third country” nationals, and will therefore have to comply with different rules.

According to the Schengen Border Code, third country passports must have been issued within the past 10 years on the date of arrival, and have at least three months’ validity remaining on the date of intended departure from the last country visited in the Schengen area.

Because non-Schengen nationals can remain in the area for 90 days, passport checks may actually require at least six months’ validity on the date of arrival.

The Government’s technical notice says: “If you plan to travel to the Schengen area after March 29, 2019, to avoid any possibility of your adult British passport not complying with the Schengen Border Code we suggest that you check the issue date and make sure your passport is no older than nine years and six months on the day of travel.”