Holiday plans for some UK travellers have been ruined due to the “10-year-passport rule.” The rule, which came into effect post-Brexit, means EU countries will only accept passports up to ten years old. Previously, travellers could transfer up to nine months from an old passport onto a new one. Some holidaymakers were caught out by the change and turned away at passport control. Those who were aware of the new rule and booked new passports in advance were also affected.
One such traveller is Jane Opher, 61, who was “traumatised” after being refused entry at the boarding gate at Gatwick airport. Although she and her partner had checked in online, they could not board their flight to Barcelona. Opher, who used to live in Barcelona, was left hundreds of pounds out of pocket after being forced to rearrange the trip.
Others, like Lara Barnes, 57, who was due to travel to Majorca last October with her husband, were similarly affected. The couple lost £1,200 they had spent on the holiday after her husband was denied boarding. The couple had not been aware of the new passport rule and were shocked to find out at check-in.
Some travellers were able to rebook trips, but no one who had been caught out by the “10-year-passport rule” was reimbursed. Additionally, some travellers, like John, 73, a healthcare worker based near Portsmouth, experienced frustration with the new rule and considered it “ridiculous.” However, a government spokesperson said that they had run an information campaign before the end of the transition period to help travellers prepare for changes when visiting Europe, including passport rules.
Therefore, for anyone planning to travel to EU countries, it is important to check whether your passport is valid and acceptable. Passports must be issued less than ten years before your departure date, or you may need to obtain a new one. Travellers can opt for emergency appointments online at their nearest passport office to get their passports quickly. Passports can also be renewed online or using a paper application from certain post offices, but it can take up to three weeks to renew a passport from the UK
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