Holidaymakers across the country are scrambling to get their passports renewed ahead of the summer holidays.
The passport office is currently experiencing significant processing issues following an influx of post-Covid passport applications. The waiting time for a new passport has doubled, rising from five to 10 weeks.
The government's passport website crashed due to demand earlier this week (Friday April 29). And now airline EasyJet has updated its passport requirement policy following claims of passengers being turned away at boarding.
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Previously, the airline stated on its website, "on your day of travel you’ll need your passport to have at least six months left on it" - whereas the European Commission states that on the day of departure from the Schengen area, your passport must have at least three months remaining.
But holidaymakers are also encouraged to check with the destination they are travelling to following Britain leaving the EU, reports Glasgow Live. As of Thursday (April 27), EasyJet has updated its passport policy following a campaign from the Independent.
Here are the passport validity policies from easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and Jet2...
easyJet
easyJet has updated its policy to avoid any misinterpretation. On the airline's website it states: "Your passport needs to be in good condition and signed. Some countries require that passports are valid for a minimum period beyond your trip, usually three or six months.
"Please check your passport's expiry and issue date before you travel. If you're a UK passport holder travelling to the EU (except Ireland), or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican City or Switzerland, your passport will need to meet the following criteria:
- It must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to depart from the EU or above countries*
- It must be no more than 10 years' old on the date of travel to the EU or above countries.
"Visit the UK government’s advice page for more information." The advice also adds: "Following the UK's withdrawal from the EU, you may need to take extra steps when travelling to a European destination.
"You should follow UK government travel advice for your destination and it’s vital you visit the government website before you travel for the latest information on new requirements, which can include your passport being valid for at least three or six months from your departure date and it being less than 10 years old."
Ryanair
Ryanair has also updated their advice on its website, including that passports should have at least three months validity. It says: "All non EU passport holders, travelling into a Schengen member country are obliged to ensure that their passport is valid for at least three months from the date of their departure from the Schengen member country.
"This requirement does not apply to holders of a Schengen issued residence permit or long term visas." Ryanair also warns: "Driving licenses are not acceptable for travel with Ryanair between the UK and Ireland. No exceptions will be made. The travel documents required for domestic flights differ from country to country."
TUI
TUI warns that in some countries outside the EU, you will need at least six months left on your passport. TUI states: "Your Passport must not be older than 10 years on the day you enter the country of your holiday destination (check the 'date of issue').
"Your Passport must have at least three months validity on the day you leave your holiday destination (check the 'expiry date'). Passport requirements for non-EU destinations vary and can require as much as 6 months validity - check the FCDO Travel Advice and the entry requirements page for the country you are visiting."
Jet2
Jet2.com still highlights that passports need six months left of them. On their website, it states: "As the UK’s no longer part of the EU, to travel, your passport needs to have at least six months left on it and be less than ten years old. Check if yours is valid here.
"Please note, you’ll need enough space in your passport for it to be stamped when you go through border control overseas."
If in doubt, check with your travel provider and FCDO Travel Advice for further guidance.
