With passport delays and conflicting information about EU policies, families going on holiday are facing extra hurdles in their travels.
Last week reports emerged of Ryanair turning away children from flights by wrongly enforcing an EU rule that doesn't exist.
Two Scottish boys were blocked from boarding at Glasgow Prestwick when the airline's staffers took issue with the validity periods in their passports that actually met EU conditions.
Ryanair has since apologised, refunded the families and updated its briefing notes to all airport handling agents after a family shared how one incident left their 11-year-old son in tears.
To make things simple, we've explained the two key rules for children's passports for EU travel here.
What are the passport rules in the EU after Brexit?
The EU guidelines lay out two conditions that British passport holders of all ages must meet post-Brexit.
- UK passports must have been issued less than 10 years ago on the day of travel to the EU.
- The passport must have at least three months' validity remaining when a traveller leaves the EU.
How do the EU passport rules apply to children?
This means British children always meet the first condition as their passports are issued for a maximum validity period of five years and nine months.
However, parents and guardians should make sure their children's passports meet the validity period required.
The European Commission told the Daily Record: "The conditions set out in article 6(1)(a) of the Schengen Borders code (i.e. that the passport's validity shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Member States territory, and that that the passport shall have been issued within the previous 10 years) must both be complied with at the moment of entry.
"The condition that the passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years does not extend for the duration of the intended stay. It is enough if this condition is fulfilled at the moment of entry.
"To give a practical example, a non-EU traveller arriving on 1 December 2021 for a 20 days stay in the EU with a passport issued on 2 December 2011 and valid until 2 April 2022 will be allowed entry."
How long does it take to get a new passport?
Summer holidays are just around the corner, but HM Passport Office warns that the application processing time could take up to 10 weeks.
If you need a new passport quickly, Brits can apply using the Online Premium Service or one week Fast Track service.
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