UK Passport Checker – How to Check if Your UK Passport is Valid for Travel to the EU

Last Updated on September 8, 2025 by Michelle Krause

You can check if your UK passport is valid for EU travel by using the MyBritishPassport Passport Validity Checker. UK passports must be less than 10 years old on your date of entry, and most EU countries also require at least six months’ validity remaining.

Quick Overview: Passport Validity Checker

The MyBritishPassport Passport Validity Checker is a trusted online tool that helps travellers instantly confirm if their UK passport meets EU entry rules, including the ‘10-year issue date’ and ‘six-month validity’ requirements.

The post explains why checking early (ideally three to nine months before travel) is important, especially since many EU border officials enforce the “nine years, nine months” or six-month validity rules post-Brexit. If your passport falls short, the article outlines how to renew through MyBritishPassport with step-by-step guidance, covering online applications, digital photo submission, couriered documents to HM Passport Office, and delivery back to your doorstep.

MyBritishPassport will also provide some tips on what to do if it is not valid. So don’t wait any longer – read on to find out everything you need to know about UK passports and travel to the EU!

Need to renew your British Passport? CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE.

Key Takeaways: Is My Passport Valid?

• MyBritishPassport has developed a UK passport validity checker tool that enables every British passport holder to check whether his or her passport is valid for travel to the EU and beyond.
• If you’re planning to travel soon, it’s essential that you check your passport validity in good time, preferably a few months before your trip.
• For travel within the EU, passports must not be older than ten years.

Travel to the EU after Brexit

After Brexit, UK passport holders can visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for short stays. To be eligible, your UK passport must meet strict validity rules: it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the EU and have at least three months’ validity remaining after your departure date.

Key points to know about UK passport and EU travel rules:

• Standard UK travellers (post-Brexit): You can enter the EU for short visits (up to 90 days in 180 days) without a visa, but your passport must meet both the 10-year issue date and 3-month validity requirements.
  
• The “nine years, nine months” rule: Some EU border officials apply a stricter interpretation, refusing entry if your passport is more than 9 years and 9 months old at the time of travel.
  
• Ireland exception (CTA): Travel between the UK and Ireland is unaffected by Brexit. No new visa or passport checker requirements apply within the Common Travel Area (CTA).
  
• ETIAS introduction: From 2026, most UK citizens travelling to the EU will need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), which works like the US ESTA. It will cost €20.
  
• Who is exempt? UK nationals and their family members who were legally living in an EU Member State before 31 December 2020 under the Withdrawal Agreement are exempt from ETIAS, provided they carry documents proving their residency status. Non-EU nationals holding a residence permit for any ETIAS-using country are also exempt.
  
• UK’s own ETA system: The UK has launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for non-UK visitors, costing £16 for a two-year authorisation.

To avoid confusion, use the MyBritishPassport UK Passport Checker tool: a simple, reliable way to perform a passport validity check online. Just enter your passport details and travel dates to confirm if your British passport is valid for EU travel under the post-Brexit rules.

UK Passport Checker (Passport Checker Tool)

Click here to access this useful tool (we have included a screenshot of the tool below).

How to Use the Passport Validity Checker for EU Travel

Simply answer the following questions and submit your response.

• Where are you travelling to?
• When does your passport expire?
• When do you plan on travelling to Europe?
• When do you plan on leaving Europe?

You will immediately get a result, either stating that you need to renew your passport before you travel, or that your passport is valid.

Passport Rules for Travel to Europe

Our experts at MyBritishPassport have seen many travellers turned away at EU borders because their passports were older than nine years and nine months, even though the expiry date had not yet passed.

Understanding the rules for UK passport validity, especially in the context of travelling to the EU, is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

1. Passport Validity Duration: UK passports for adults are valid for ten years, and for children for five years.
2. EU Travel Restrictions: For travel within the EU, passports must not be older than ten years. Even if a UK passport is still valid, if it exceeds ten years from the issue date, entry into the EU may be denied. Read more about this rule here. Based on over 10,000 passport applications we’ve processed since 2008, MyBritishPassport has found that the most common reason for EU travel issues is travellers relying on the printed expiry date rather than the issue date.
3. The Nine Years and Nine Months Rule: Some EU borders enforce a stricter rule, not allowing entry if the passport is older than nine years and nine months. This policy accounts for the three-month period allowed for EU travel, ensuring the passport doesn’t exceed the ten-year limit at the point of exit.
4. Extension to Six Months: Some countries have extended the rule to six months instead of nine years and nine months. Consequently, both the European Commission and the UK Government advise having at least six months left on your passport.
5. Renewal Recommendation: If your passport is nine and a half years old, it’s advisable to renew it before travelling to avoid any issues at the border.

Where Can I find A UK Passport Validity Checker?

MyBritishPassport has developed a UK passport validity checker tool that enables every British passport holder to check whether his or her passport is valid for travel to the EU.
Click here to access this useful tool

Why Checking your Passport Validity is Important

If you’re planning to travel soon, it’s essential that you check your passport validity in good time – preferably a few months before your trip.

This will give you enough time to renew your passport if it is not valid for travel to the EU.

Border officials of various EU nations frequently request that passport holders have at least six months of remaining validity on their passports.

This is to ensure that travellers will not overstay their welcome in the Schengen Area.

What to Do if Your UK passport is Not Valid for Travel to the EU

If your UK passport is not valid for travel to the EU, don’t panic! You can renew your passport by following these simple steps.

How to Renew your UK passport

Renewing your UK passport from abroad with MyBritishPassport is simple.

1. Simply complete our easy, online British Passport renewal or application form and make payment on our safe and secure platform. Click here to renew your passport.
2. Once you have submitted your application and paid, you will be contacted by one of our British passport specialists with clear instructions regarding the digital passport photo and any additional documents that are required.
3. Our expert team will check your documents and forms, ensure that your passport photos are compliant, and submit your application to the passport office. Your documents are sent to HM Passport Office using our reliable, registered courier service.
4. Wait for your new passport to be delivered to your doorstep via our registered, reliable courier service.

Renewing your British passport from Australia? Click here to find out more.

Check My Passport Expiry Date UK

As mentioned above, checking your passport expiry date is always important because it is a crucial document that verifies your identity and citizenship, and it is required for international travel.

If your passport has expired, you may be denied entry into a foreign country, causing significant inconvenience and potentially ruining your travel plans.

Furthermore, renewing a passport can take several weeks, so it is wise to check the expiry date well in advance of your trip to ensure you have enough time to renew it if necessary. In short, checking your passport expiry date is a simple step that can help prevent issues and ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience.

Current UK Passport Processing Times and Application Tips

As of late 2025, UK passport processing times have improved but still vary depending on the type of application and method of submission.

For those applying from abroad, processing times can be longer. For instance, renewing a British passport from the USA typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks. It’s important to note that these are average times, and actual processing durations may vary based on individual circumstances and seasonal demand.

To ensure a smooth application process:

• Apply Early: Initiate your passport application well in advance of any planned travel. It’s recommended to apply at least six to nine months before your intended departure date to account for any unforeseen delays.
  
• Ensure Accuracy: Double-check all information and documents before submission. Incomplete or incorrect applications can lead to delays.

About MyBritishPassport

MyBritishPassport is the leading provider of British passport services, specialising in applications, renewals and replacements from abroad. We are a team of experts who are passionate about helping people obtain their British passports as quickly and easily as possible.

We have a wealth of experience in dealing with UK passports, and we are here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to find out more about our services.

How Do I Check if My Passport is Valid UK?

You can check the validity of your UK passport for EU travel by using the UK passport checker tool on the MyBritishPassport website.

Another way to check the validity of your passport is by contacting your nearest British embassy or consulate. They will be able to tell you if your passport is still valid and when it expires.

You can also check your passport’s expiry date on the data page of your passport. Please note that the passport expiry date is printed on the front page of your passport under ‘Passport Issued’.

An adult passport’s validity is 10 years from the date it is issued.

Conclusion:

It’s important to check the validity of your UK passport before travelling to the EU. You can do this by using the UK passport checker tool on the MyBritishPassport website. If your passport is not valid, you can renew it by following the steps outlined in this blog post. MyBritishPassport can help you with this process. Contact us today to find out more.

Topic: Check my passport expiry date UK

Find out more about British Passport renewal requirements here.

Other Helpful Guides:

• Renewing your UK passport from South Africa
• How to renew your British Passport from Australia
• Renewing your British passport in the USA
• UK Passport Renewals from Canada
• Renew UK Passport in NZ

Contact MyBritishPassport

Unsure whether your UK passport is valid? Reach out to our team of experts, we will be happy to assist.

Topic: UK Passport Validity Checker

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