ABTA is reminding agents to ensure clients’ passports are valid for travel to European Union countries this summer.
Under post-Brexit rules, passports must have been issued less than 10 years before the date clients enter the country and, separately, must be valid for at least three months after the date they plan to leave.
The only EU country the rules don’t apply to is Ireland.
But the rules DO apply to some non-EU destinations: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City.
ABTA has an online advice page, which includes an example of the rule in practice. It’s also created some social media assets agents can use, which can be downloaded from the marketing tool kit in its Member Zone.
Although the rules have been in place for some time, there is still confusion among customers and the trade.
In March 2023, TUI said it would train staff on the passport rules after two pensioners were wrongly told they couldn’t travel, despite the fact their passports were valid.
For further clarification, see a recent Travel Gossip article that explains the rules here.
ABTA Director of Communications Graeme Buck said: “The new post-Brexit passport validity rules have the potential to catch some holidaymakers out, so we’re reminding members of the rules and providing guidance they can share with their customers.”
See also: Things your clients can try to speed up their passport applications
