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Red UK passport holders warned ahead of summer 2026 holidays - MIRROR
British holidaymakers still using old red passports are being warned ahead of summer holidays. If you're planning a sunshine escape this year, it's crucial to check your passport before departure due to strict entry requirements abroad.
Many countries demand your passport remains valid for a further six months before you set off on international travel. Known as the 'six-month validity rule', many people still holding pre-Brexit red passports may find their documents don't have sufficient time remaining.
Some countries, including all within the Schengen area, have a three-month passport requirement. This means travellers can enter these destinations if their passport remains valid for at least three additional months.
If you're still carrying a red passport it's important to check its expiry date. Since Brexit, your passport must be less than 10 years old upon arrival in the EU, with its expiry date falling at least three months beyond your planned departure from the EU.
Most people, quite reasonably, presume an adult passport lasts a decade, but if yours was issued before October 1, 2018, additional months may have been added to its expiry date if the previous passport was renewed before it completely expired.
You can check whether your passport meets the validity requirements for your journey on GOV.UK. Simply search for your destination country and select 'entry requirements', as reported by Wales Online.
Additionally, you're limited to a maximum stay of 90 days within any six-month period. During Britain's EU membership, there were no such time restrictions on stays.
Some of the countries with a six-month passport rule include the USA, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, China, and Indonesia.
