Brits Baffled By Confusing Passport Rules Which Could Prevent Them Flying
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British people have been warned to check their passports after some travellers were stopped from boarding flights.
That's right, if you've been looking forward to your post-lockdown holiday this summer make sure you check your passports before you go.
Since the UK left the EU, new rules have come into force surrounding how many months you need left on a passport to travel.
In the past, as part of the EU, UK residents only needed to make sure that their passport was in date to be able to travel to countries across Europe.
Following Brexit, new rules have come in to place, with the government website stating that UK citizens should have a passport with an expiry date 'valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave'.
However, some airlines are telling passengers conflicting information, the Sun reports.
EasyJet's website reads: "For UK passport holders travelling to the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, please note that on your day of travel you'll need your passport to have at least 6 months left on it."
Meanwhile the Ryanair website states that passengers must have a passport valid for 'at least six months from the date of arrival' with three months left from when leaving the country.
People took to social media to share their confusion over the issue.
One asked Ryanair to confirm if they'll 'be fine to travel as Ryanair says six months till expiration is required and http://GOV.UK website says three months'.
Ryanair responded: "UK passport holders traveling into a Schengen country must make sure that the passport: is valid for at least three months from the date they will leave the country for at least six months from the date of arrival and it shouldn't be older than 10 years."
Another confused passenger asked easyJet for clarification if she would be OK to travel with the date six months prior to her passport expiring falling during her trip to Portugal.
EasyJet responded: "Some countries require that passports are valid for a minimum period beyond your trip, usually three or six months. We strongly advise that you check with your consulate/embassy to confirm which travel documentation will be accepted and what is required."
Many people could be hit with this issue with an increasing number of Brits looking to travel abroad this year. According to The Guardian, searches for 2022 holidays were up 74 percent from 2021, with many looking forward to their post-lockdown breaks.
