Holidaymakers are urged to check how many pages are left in their passport this holiday season or risk being turned away at the airport.
After Brexit, travellers and professionals who require entry and exit stamps in their passport when travelling through the EU may find that space in their passport is running out.
All passport holders must have at least two blank pages in their passport when travelling, otherwise the document could be considered invalid. The little-known passport rule is important to ensure you don’t get held up or turned away at the airport this summer.
Standard passports have 34 pages, but jumbo passports offer more space for avid holidaymakers and business travelers at 54 pages. It is also important to note that some countries require travelers to have two additional visa pages in their passport.
Travelers and holidaymakers should also remember to check the expiration date of their passport. While many countries only require a passport to be valid for the duration of the stay, others such as China, Thailand and Turkey require at least six months longer.
The UK Passport Office recommends that passports for most European countries should expire at least three months after the planned date of departure from the EU, but anyone travelling abroad should always check the specific entry requirements of their destination and airline to avoid any problems.
Greg Wilson, CEO and travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk, said: “Filling the pages in your passport may have seemed an unlikely task years ago, but since Brexit many are finding that the pages in their passport are getting fuller as new rules mean UK passport holders must have their passport stamped every time they enter and leave the EU.
“When your passport runs out of pages, you will need to renew it before the expiration date, so keep a close eye on the remaining blank pages.
“If you are buying a new passport this summer, only use trusted sources. Don’t be tempted by websites offering express delivery or cheaper prices as you could be duped and end up spending even more to get a compliant UK passport.
“Being turned away at the airport because of a non-compliant passport would be devastating, so we urge anyone travelling this summer to be aware of how the regulations could impact them.
“You may also be denied entry to your destination country if your passport is about to expire. This is often overlooked by travellers as many only use their passport a few times a year. It’s also worth checking your airline’s requirements as passport requirements can vary.
“Many countries require a certain period of validity for your passport to enter the country. This includes the popular travel destinations Turkey and Thailand, where the passport must be valid for up to six months after the trip.
“Always check the entry requirements for your chosen destination and plan in advance whether to bring a Jumbo Pass if you travel a lot or have to travel abroad frequently for work.
“If you are denied access to your flight, for example because your passport is invalid, your travel insurance is unlikely to protect you.”
The European Union plans to introduce an Entry-Exit System (EES) in November 2024 that will replace physical stamps with biometric fingerprints and facial scans, but travelers should ensure their passports have enough blank pages until these plans are firmly established.
