By Nicola Roy
Summer is upon us, and many of us will be getting ready to fly off to sunny destinations in the coming months. While holidays are fantastic once you’re there, the planning process can be quite stressful, not to mention costly. The last thing you want is to go through all the hassle of organising a trip only to be turned away at the airport gates. But if you haven’t thoroughly checked your passport before setting off, this nightmare could become a reality. That’s according to the experts at Travel Republic, who have issued a warning about three crucial checks that every holidaymaker must carry out. READ MORE: Flight attendant calls out ‘disgusting’ passengers who miss key step before boarding Those travelling to any EU country, or Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland should ensure their passports were issued less than 10 years before their departure dates, reports the Express . For instance, if you are flying on July 10, 2025, your passport must have been issued after July 10, 2015. This rule applies regardless of the passport’s expiry date. Your passport must also be valid for at least three months after your intended return date when travelling to Europe or the Schengen area. For example, if you return home on August 1 2025, your passport must be valid until at least November 1 2025. A passport must be in tip-top condition to be accepted, as even slight damage can lead to problems at check-in or with border control. If your passport doesn’t comply with the latest rules and conditions, renewing it early could save you from the heartache of missing your much-anticipated holiday. Gemma Brown from Travel Republic commented: “The likelihood is that travel insurance providers would not cover any costs associated with invalid or expired passports, as it’s down to the traveller to triple-check their documentation is correct.” She advised: “Our advice would be to ensure that your passport is within the 10-year issue date and is valid for at least six months from the date of departure to ensure you will be accepted into most countries. “Regardless of passport rules, it’s important for all travellers to research the country they plan to visit and ensure they know what travel documentation is required upon entering and leaving. You can find foreign travel advice on the government website to make sure you have everything covered.” If you want ideas and inspiration to plan your next UK adventure plus selected offers and competitions, sign up for our 2Chill weekly newsletter here