Warning over passport rules that could cost you hundreds if you have any holidays booked this year
If you've managed to squeeze one last sun-soaked holiday into your rota before the dreaded winter months roll around, you could be at risk of falling victim to some pretty harsh passport rules which were implemented earlier this year.
As such, travel experts have issued a warning to take note of the seemingly ever-changing holiday legislation, after countless Brits have been forced to cough up hundreds of pounds.
Back in April this year, a post-Brexit '10-year passport rule' was put into place, putting millions of UK holiday-makers at risk.
British travellers were previously able to carry up to nine months from an old passport over their new one - ahh, the good old days.
Advert
In the last five months, however - following our ill-advised departure from the European Union - the majority of countries across Europe stopped accepting passports that were issued more than 10 years ago.
Basically, due to former protocols, some travellers will understandably have passports which are valid for a total of 10 years and nine months.
These will only expire when this time period is up.
The new rule only applies, however, to those who have had their passports issued prior to September 2018.
If you received your passport after this month, your passport will only be valid for exactly 10 years.
And, as mentioned, countless holiday-makers who have a passport life-span of longer than 10 years have been turned away at the airport gate in recent weeks.
Despite some jet-setters insisting they've taken note of the new change, many are also realising that the rule applies to them until it is too late.
And as such, some travellers are having to under 'emergency procedures', which has seen them having to fork out as much as £300 for a last minute trip to the passport office.
That's because - not only does the actual passport cost a pretty penny - but research conducted by Confused.com suggested that those who failed to renew their passport within the appropriate window will have to travel an average of 140 miles to their nearest passport office.
And as we all know by now, fuel ain't cheap.
So, how exactly do we avoid this rock and hard place?
Well, it's simple really.
Check your expiry date before actually booking your trip. If you find yourself one of the unlucky ones whose passport was issued over 10 years ago, get yourself a new one.
And if you realise you're cutting it a bit fine, get in contact with your HM Passport Office asap, to try and get hold an appointment before the packing commences.
Rhianna Benson