Travellers have had a bumpy time so far this year. Airport chaos, passport delays and changes to travel documentation have all hit those jetting off overseas.
Confusion and additional checks at airports have led to a number of horror stories where travellers have been refused travel, so holiday makers are once again being reminded to be vigilant when it comes to trips overseas post-Brexit. Experts at ABTA have now issued a checklist for travellers.
The travel association is urging Brits to double check their passports carefully and says "one of the most important things you need to check is if your passport will be valid for your travel dates", especially with new passport rules in place.
READ MORE: Fast Track UK passport: What it is actually like and why you still need to rush to get it done
Detailing the ABTA advice, the Mirror warned: "In recent months countless people have fallen foul of the changes to travel document legislation, leaving them stuck at airport, furious and massively out of pocket". With this in mind, make sure you go through the following information before heading off on holiday.
Traveling to Europe post-Brexit
ABTA has helped to clarify some of the new rules following the UK leaving the EU. They explain: "Your passport cannot be more than 10 years old when entering the country – so check when your passport was issued and when it is due to expire.
"Most places in Europe will require you to have a least three months left on your passport on the date of departure from your destination – check the Foreign Office advice for the passport rules for your destination.
"So, when checking if your passport will be valid for the dates of your trip, you need to check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport."
They add: "If you renewed your current passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date and this could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old."
Checking passport validity
ABTA recommends you check your passport's validity by looking at both its issue and expiry date. This is where some travellers have fallen foul. Some countries require you to have a minimum amount of time left on your passport, which usually between three to six months but this can vary. Check the government's website for the most up to date information.
Applying for or renewing your passport
ABTA warns: "Her Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) is currently advising that it may take up to 10 weeks for applications to be processed when applying from the UK, so make sure you apply in good time."
If you have already booked your travel or need to travel at short notice and discover that your passport needs renewing, you can 'Fast Track' your UK passport. Here's a first hand account of the process and what happens on the day.
You can also find the most current advice for travelling abroad, coronavirus, entry requirements and travel warnings on the government 'foreign travel advice' webpage. Helpful advice is also available at abta.com.
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