Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, and Greece Enforce Tough New Passport Rules on UK Travelers as Post-Brexit Chaos Triggers Daily Flight Denials and Costly Holiday Disruptions

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

UK holidaymakers travelling to well-touristed European destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Greece are experiencing an increase in flight denials and holiday disruption as a consequence of the strictly enforced passport rules introduced after Brexit. The countries, all members of the Schengen Zone, now mandatorily require British passports to be issued not more than 10 years from the date of arrival and be The passport must have a remaining validity of no less than three months beyond the planned date of departure from the destination country. Because of this, even otherwise “in-date” passports are being refused if over 10 years from issue—they are causing confusion, expensive late renewals, and increasing travel disruption throughout Europe.

UK travelers are facing unexpected disruptions at airports across Europe as new post-Brexit passport regulations continue to cause confusion, flight denials, and costly emergency renewals. Despite passports appearing “in-date,” a growing number of British holidaymakers are being refused entry at European borders due to a technical but crucial EU rule. As peak travel season arrives, authorities are advising travellers to double-check the issue and expiry dates on their passports to avoid ruining their holidays.

The Post-Brexit Passport Rule Catching Out UK Travelers

Since the UK officially left the European Union, UK passports are now treated the same as those from non-EU countries. According to the European Union, all non-EU nationals—including UK citizens—must comply with two critical passport requirements when travelling to the Schengen Zone:

1. Passport Validity Rule: To enter any EU country, your passport must have been originally issued no more than 10 years before the date you arrive.
2. Expiry Date Rule: Your passport must remain valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the EU.

This dual condition is now strictly enforced by immigration and airline check-in systems alike. Many UK travellers mistakenly believe that as long as their passport hasn’t expired, they are fit to travel. However, several cases have emerged where passengers were denied boarding or entry—even when their passports had months left before expiry—due to falling outside the 10-year issuance window.

Real-World Consequences: Daily Airport Denials

At several UK airports, reports have confirmed that multiple travellers are turned away daily due to this misunderstood rule. The issue primarily affects passports that were renewed before October 2018, a time when it was common for renewal applicants to “carry over” unused months from their previous passport, sometimes leading to expiry dates that appear valid for over 10 years from the original issue date.

The EU now rejects these extensions. In practice, if your passport was issued more than 10 years ago from your date of travel, it is considered invalid, even if the expiry date falls months later.

Passport Renewal Urged—Even If Still “In Date”

Experts are urging UK passport holders to review both the date of issue and expiry date—especially if the passport was issued before 2018. Renewing early, though costly, may be less expensive than the alternative: last-minute emergency renewals, lost holidays, and expensive rebookings.

A standard renewal can now take several weeks due to seasonal demand. Travelers are advised to renew no later than six months before international travel, particularly if planning trips to Schengen countries.

EU’s Official Guidance on Passport Validity

The European Commission states the rules clearly for all non-EU nationals:

• To enter, your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years as counted from the exact date you plan to arrive in the destination country.
• Passports must remain valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of exit from the EU.

These guidelines apply to UK citizens visiting all Schengen Area countries, which includes most European holiday destinations.

Schengen Doesn’t Recognize Passport “Extensions”

Prior to Brexit, British citizens renewing their passports were allowed to transfer up to nine months of validity from their old document, resulting in passports that appeared valid for up to 10 years and 9 months. However, under current post-Brexit rules, Schengen countries no longer accept any carried-over time beyond the original 10-year issuance limit.

Authorities, including border control and airline agents, now use automated systems that instantly flag passports exceeding the 10-year issuance rule. Even if the expiry date appears valid, passports older than 10 years from the issue date are considered expired for Schengen travel purposes.

Passport Costs and Emergency Renewal Fees

Due to the increased demand for last-minute renewals, UK passport fees have risen as of April 2025. A complete breakdown of the most up-to-date passport charges for UK applicants is provided below.

• Standard Online Application (UK):
  • Adult: £94.50
  • Child: £61.50
• Postal Application (UK):
• Premium One-Day Service (UK):
• Overseas Standard Paper Application:
  • Adult: £120.50
  • Child: £82.50

Emergency passport services are considerably more expensive and often difficult to secure on short notice during the summer season. This further underlines the importance of checking and renewing passports well in advance.

Common Scenarios That Lead to Denial

Below are common situations where UK travelers are being denied entry:

• A passport issued more than 10 years ago, even if it expires in the future.
• Travellers unaware of the 3-month post-return validity requirement.
• Confusion over Schengen policy updates post-Brexit.
• Airline check-in systems automatically flagging documents as “expired.”

What You Can Do Now to Avoid Being Denied Boarding

To avoid having your holiday disrupted:

1. Check your passport’s issue date—if it was issued before May 2025, confirm it meets the EU’s 10-year rule.
2. Ensure the expiry date extends at least 3 months beyond your intended EU departure date.
3. If in doubt, renew early—especially if your passport includes carried-over time.
4. Use the UK Passport Office’s online checker or contact your airline in advance to confirm eligibility.
5. Avoid relying solely on the expiry date—this is not the only factor EU border controls examine.

EU Countries Most Impacted by the Rule

While the passport rule applies to all Schengen countries, the highest number of issues have been reported by travelers heading to:

• France
• Spain
• Italy
• Germany
• Portugal
• Netherlands
• Greece

Travelers heading to these countries are strongly advised to double-check their passport compliance to avoid potential entry denial.

Brexit’s Lingering Impact on UK Travel

The confusion around passport validity is just one example of how Brexit continues to reshape travel for UK citizens. Now classed as third-country nationals, British travelers must comply with the full suite of EU entry requirements, which may include visa waivers, health insurance proof, return ticket verification, and, of course, strict passport checks.

The EU is also planning to roll out its ETIAS visa waiver system, similar to the U.S. ESTA program, which will add another layer of complexity for UK travelers from 2025 onwards.

Don’t Let Your Trip Be Ruined—Renew Proactively

It’s no longer enough for your passport to be “in-date.” British citizens travelling to the EU must understand and comply with the 10-year issuance and 3-month expiry rules—or risk last-minute denials that can ruin an entire trip.

UK passengers are being denied entry onto planes to Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Greece by stringent post-Brexit travel requirements insisting that passports be no older than 10 years and have a minimum of three months’ validity past their date of exit from the destination. Each day, numerous planes are refusing to let them board because of the rules.

With summer holidays fast approaching, the safest route is to check today, renew early, and travel with confidence