People are being warned to check their passport details before heading abroad and have been given details of an upcoming rule change
Travellers are being urged to double-check their passport details before jetting off and are being told of a new fee for travelling to Europe.
New research from Saga Travel Insurance has uncovered widespread confusion over entry requirements, expiry regulations and post-Brexit travel rules. The insurance provider polled 500 people across the UK and discovered that Brits could be leaving themselves open to entirely avoidable disruption when travelling abroad due to straightforward oversights.
The survey revealed that 16% of respondents were unaware of when their passport expires, 10% had less than a year left on theirs, and 8% were carrying passports that had already expired. Furthermore, one in 14 (7%) travellers had been refused entry to a country because their passport didn’t have sufficient time remaining before expiry.
Michelle Cooper, director of Travel Insurance at Saga, has set out the key passport rules holidaymakers should be aware of before embarking on a trip. She also highlighted plans for a new charge that UK travellers will soon face when heading to Europe.
Michelle said: “Nobody should have their holidays ruined because of a simple passport error. A few quick checks can help people avoid unnecessary stress, unexpected costs and disruption at the airport.”
The passport rules catching Brits out after Brexit
Half (50%) of holidaymakers still lack confidence in their understanding of the visa and travel requirements for visiting Europe following Brexit. Michelle said: “If you’re travelling to Europe for an extended period, you may now be required to apply for a new visa type. Travellers can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area within any rolling 180‐day period, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
“The 180 days are counted backwards from each day you’re in the EU or a Schengen country, so every trip adds up. That means even frequent short breaks can push you over the limit without realising.
“If you go beyond 90 days, you could face fines or even a ban from re-entering. Anyone planning to stay longer will need to apply for the new Schengen Visa.”
The Schengen zone comprises 29 European nations where visitors can travel between countries without standard passport controls. It features sought-after holiday spots including France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
Uncertainty surrounding the ’10-year passport rule’ is the most frequently discussed passport worry online, based on recent data from Saga Travel Insurance, with Reddit threads on the subject gathering 35,417 upvotes.
Michelle explained: “EU and Schengen countries require passports to be less than 10 years old on the day of entry. While all new passports last exactly ten years, passports issued before 2018 remain valid for 10 years and nine months. If you have an older passport, make sure you check both the issue date and expiry date before travelling to avoid problems at the border.”
Brits warned over new ETIAS travel checks for Europe
From late 2026, British tourists heading to most European countries will be required to obtain approval through a new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) prior to departure. A precise launch date is yet to be confirmed.
The new scheme is comparable to the UK’s own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system and will affect visa-exempt visitors travelling to 30 European nations for short trips of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. A charge of 20 Euros — roughly £17 — will apply.
Michelle said: “Travellers may not realise that visiting Europe will soon involve an additional pre-travel authorisation step. From late 2026, British holidaymakers will need to apply for ETIAS approval before travelling to many popular European destinations.
“The authorisation will be linked directly to your passport, meaning travellers could be denied boarding if their ETIAS details don’t match their travel document or if the authorisation has expired. Most ETIAS applications are expected to be processed within minutes, but it could take longer if additional checks are required. Holidaymakers should apply well in advance of departure to avoid last-minute disruptions.
“Similar systems already exist elsewhere. For example, UK travellers visiting the United States must apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before departure. These systems are becoming more common globally, so it’s important to check requirements for each destination well ahead of travel.
“As with passport validity rules, people are responsible for making sure they have the correct travel authorisation before they leave the country. If someone is unable to travel because they failed to obtain valid ETIAS or ESTA approval, travel insurance is unlikely to cover costs associated with denied boarding or cancelled trips.”
