Jet2, Ryanair, And Easyjet Issue Travel Warning For UK Passengers With Red Passports

For anyone who’s still clinging on to their red (EU issued) passport, UK holidaymakers and tourists have been issued a warning about the rules and restrictions that come with them.

Major airlines including Jet2, Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizz Air, British Airways, among others, have alerted passengers to the potential issues that can arise if you’re still travelling with your red passport.

What are ‘third country’ rules?

Following Brexit, the UK's transition to blue passports means that we are now subject to 'third-country nationals' rules for entering European Union countries, which could catch out those still using their old red or burgundy passports.

Since the UK's departure from the EU, the third-country rules state that your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you enter the EU/Schengen Zone and must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.

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What is the ‘six-month’ passport rule?

On top of that, the ‘six-month’ passport regulation means that your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after the date of your planned departure or arrival from the country (depending on the country). This rule applies to both international and domestic travel.

If your passport is not valid for at least six months, you could even be denied boarding or entry into certain countries although the calculation of the six-month passport validity requirement depends on the specific country you are travelling to.

In some cases, the six-month period begins from the date you depart from that country, while in other cases, it begins from the date you arrive.

So what does all this mean for you? Well, basically, you better double check the specific entry requirements of your destination country to understand which calculation method applies so you don’t end up missing out win your holiday!

How should I check travel rules for the country I’m visiting?

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on passport validity requirements, you should consult that country's embassy or consulate - or alternatively, the UK government website has travel advice/requirements for most countries around the world.