Don’t get caught out by the new ETIAS passport rules when traveling to the EU
Planning a holiday in Europe this summer? Make sure you check your passport complies with the ETIAS passport rules.
New research from Saga Travel Insurance reveals confusion around entry requirements, expiry rules and post-Brexit travel regulations. The travel insurance provider surveyed 500 people in the UK and found that Brits could be at risk of avoidable disruption when travelling overseas due to simple oversights.
According to the survey:
- 16% of people don’t know when their passport expires
- 10% have less than one year remaining on their passport
- 8% are currently holding expired passports
It also learned that 7% holidaymakers have been denied entry to a country because they didn’t have enough time left on their passport before it expired.
To help your travel abroad with confidence this summer, Michelle Cooper, Director of Travel Insurance at Saga, explains the key passport rules to be aware of ahead of a trip.
Why new post-Brexit passport rules are catching people out
According to Saga, as many as 50% of UK holidaymakers are still not confident they understand the visa and travel requirements for visiting Europe after Brexit.
According to EU rules, if you’re travelling to Europe for an extended period, you may now be required to apply for a new visa type. Yes, you can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area within any rolling 180‑day period, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
The 180 days are counted backwards from each day you’re in the EU or a Schengen country, so every trip adds up. That means even frequent short breaks can push you over the limit without realising.
If you go beyond 90 days, you could face fines or even a ban from re-entering. Anyone planning to stay longer will need to apply for the new Schengen Visa.
The Schengen area is a group of 29 European countries where travellers can move between countries without routine passport checks. It includes popular holiday destinations such as France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
Confusion around the ‘10-year passport rule’ is the most widely discussed passport concern online, according to recent analysis from Saga Travel Insurance, with Reddit discussions on the issue amassing 35,417 upvotes.
EU and Schengen countries require passports to be less than 10 years old on the day of entry. While all new passports last exactly ten years, passports issued before 2018 remain valid for 10 years and nine months.
If you have an older passport, make sure you check both the issue date and expiry date before travelling to avoid problems at the border.
Why you need to be aware of the new ETIAS travel checks for Europe
Many UK travellers still aren’t aware that visiting Europe will soon involve an additional pre-travel authorisation step. From late 2026, British travellers visiting most European countries will need to apply for a new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) before travelling.
The new system is similar to the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme and will apply to visa-exempt travellers visiting 30 European countries for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
The authorisation will be linked directly to your passport, meaning you could be denied boarding if your ETIAS details don’t match your travel document or if the authorisation has expired.
Most ETIAS applications are expected to be processed within minutes, but it could take longer if additional checks are required. So you need to apply well in advance of departure to avoid last-minute disruptions.
Similar systems already exist elsewhere. For example, UK travellers visiting the United States must apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before departure. These systems are becoming more common globally, so it’s important to check requirements for each destination well ahead of travel.
Make sure you have the right documentation and authorisation before you travel
Not only can it be extremely disappointing and complicated if you are prevented from travel, because your passport is not valid or you don’t have the right authorisation, but it could be expensive as travel insurance is unlikely to cover costs associated with denied boarding or cancelled trips.
Nobody should have their holidays ruined because of a simple passport or visa error. A few quick checks in advance can help you avoid unnecessary stress, unexpected costs and disruption at the airport. So make sure you check well before you fly!
