A British traveler was turned away at the airport and had to pay an extra £1,000 after being caught out by a post-Brexit passport rule. The rule requires that passports be valid for at least six months beyond the intended travel date for entry into many EU countries.
The incident occurred when the traveler attempted to board a flight to Spain, but was denied boarding because their passport had less than six months remaining before expiry. The traveler was forced to purchase a new passport at a premium cost of £1,000 to continue their journey.
According to the UK government, since the UK left the EU, British passport holders must ensure their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of travel to most EU countries, except Ireland. The rule applies to all EU member states in the Schengen area.
Travel experts advise checking passport validity well in advance of travel, as renewing a passport can take up to 10 weeks. The UK Passport Office offers a fast-track service for an additional fee, but this can still be costly.
