Martin Lewis Urges Brits To Check Their Passport For Important Detail
Have you checked?
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Topics: News, Martin Lewis
Lucy Devine
Topics: News, Martin Lewis
Martin Lewis has issued a warning to Brits planning on jetting off on holiday this summer.
The Money Saving Expert is reminding Brits that rules around travel have changed since Brexit, and if you are planning a getaway, you'll need to do some extra checks before you book.
Difficulties have arisen for many holidaymakers due to new post-Brexit rules. Brits are no longer able to travel to the EU on passports close to their expiry dates.
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Under Schengen area rules, your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you travel, and valid for at least three months after you plan to leave.
It's important to remember to check your issue date - not the expiry date - to ensure 10 years hasn't passed.
Speaking on the Martin Lewis Money Show Live on Tuesday evening, the financial guru urged Brits to double check their passports.
“You need to check if you’re going away; do you have six months or more left at the time you go away, and will the passport be under 10 years old when you travel?” he said.
“There are many countries now where you won’t be allowed in unless you can fulfil those criteria. Since Brexit, even EU countries require UK passports to have three months left on them now for you to get in, and the passport must be under 10 years old.
“Lots of people miss that second one, so check that.”
The three month rule does not apply, however, if you are travelling to Ireland.
These rules do apply to travel to some non-EU countries too, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City.
If you do need to renew, it's important you do it as soon as possible due to delays.
Home Office minister Kevin Foster recently warned people hoping to travel abroad this summer that they should apply to renew outdated passports "as soon as possible". He also told MPs the Government had no intention of letting the current 10-week processing time worsen any further.
“If your passport is out of date, or you need a new one, be aware there are big delays at the Passport Office, which is why you should be doing your check now," said Martin.