7 vital passport checks for any Brit going to EU after border change

The EU is set to introduce its new digital border control, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), in October. This will replace the traditional passport stamping with an electronic system that records travellers' passports and times of entry and exit.

More information on the rollout can be found here but it is expected to potentially cause longer queues at border control with experts advising Brits to give themselves a bit more time to get to their gate.

The new system also emphasises the importance of keeping passports in good condition.

Travel insurance experts at Tiger.co.uk have shared seven crucial checks Brits should perform on their passports before jetting off to avoid any hiccups when navigating through the EES.

Ian Wilson, a travel insurance expert, also warned that if you're denied boarding due to passport issues, your travel insurance might not cover you.

Water damage

If your passport has suffered water damage, it may no longer be accepted as a valid travel document. Minor signs like slightly crinkled page edges might be acceptable, but any smudged ink or discolouration could result in delays or even refusal at the border check.

Tears or rips

Any torn, ripped or missing pages could render your passport invalid at the border, especially if the damage affects any text on the personal details page or any visa stamps.

Peeling Laminates

Passports come with a laminate layer over the personal details page. If this is lifting or peeling, it could be seen as a suspicious passport, potentially tampered with. Even if the information is still readable, it may still be flagged or rejected, warn experts.

Expiry Dates

Many countries require passports to be valid for a certain length of time beyond your arrival date. Typically, this is at least six months, but in Europe, it can be around three months beyond your departure date. However, the passport must also have been issued within the last 10 years to be valid.

Children's Passports

Unlike adult passports, which are usually valid for 10 years, children's passports are typically only valid for five years. Parents need to keep an eye on these expiry dates and renew the passports well in advance to avoid disrupting their family holidays.

Blank Pages

While the EES is intended to replace manual passport stamping, the system is still new. Travellers are advised to keep empty pages in their passports in case stamps are needed. The experts advise that travellers must have at least two blank passport pages when travelling, or their document could be seen as invalid.

Visas

As Brexit continues to unfold, experts are urging travellers to stay up-to-date with the visa requirements of their destination country. Currently, when travelling to Europe, you don't need a visa if you're going for a shorter trip of up to 90 days.

Wilson advised: "We urge holidaymakers to carry out essential passport checks now to avoid last-minute hassle and potentially being turned away at the airport. Post-Brexit travel changes are still confusing for many of us, so it's important for Brits to familiarise themselves with the validity requirements before jetting off to Europe.

"Travellers also need to ensure their passports are in good physical condition, as things like damage from water or ink, rips in pages and laminate peeling from the personal details page can mean that your passport may not be accepted as a valid travel document."