Is My Passport in Date? – Everything You Need to Know

Written by Ella Cawthorne Last updated October 1st 202501/10/25

Since Britain left the European Union on 31 January 2020, rules around the ‘old style’, burgundy, British passports have changed – so let’s explore everything you need to know to ensure your holiday goes off without any mishaps.

What are the passport date expiry rules?

Any UK passports issued before the UK left the European Union are now only valid for ten years exactly from the issue date. This means that any extra months that have been added are no longer valid.

  • E.g. If your passport is valid from 2 June 2016 – the expiry date is now 2 June 2026, even if it says it should be longer.

As well as this, most countries in the EU require you to have a minimum of three months* left on your passport from the date you leave to go home.

*This can vary depending on your destination, it may only need 6 months – be sure to look on the Government Foreign Travel Advice.

  • E.g., If your passport expires 2 June 2026, the last date you can travel is 3 months beforehand, i.e., 1 March 2026.

How to check if your passport is in date?

  1. Open your passport to the photo page
  2. Find where it says ‘Issue Date’ and ‘Expiry Date’
  3. Check that the issue date was less than 10 years ago – if it’s more than 10 years, it is not valid.
  4. Check that the expiry date is at least 3 months from the date you fly home – if it is less than, you will need a new passport.

Couple of friends looking over a map to decide on plans for a holiday

What to do if your passport expires soon?

How to apply for a new passport

You can apply for a new passport online or by post. Applications by post cost an extra £12.50 and can take longer to process than online applications.

Head to https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport to apply for a new passport.

How long does it take for a new passport?

It can take around ten weeks for your new passport to arrive so make sure you give yourself plenty of time before your holiday.

How much is a new passport?

Online application:

  • Adult passport: £94.50
  • Child passport: £61.50

By post:

  • Adult passport: £107
  • Child passport: £74

 

Is there anything else you should know?

  • Ensure to check the specific travel rules and entry requirements issued by government services at the time of your travel.
  • There’s new updates around entry and exit in the UK and EU – get all the info on the latest EES here.

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