Warning as Brits with passports from before this date could be turned away for flights

Brits looking to travel abroad this summer are being warned of a little-known passport rule that could "wreak havoc" with their holiday plans. People with passports issued before a specific date could find that their travel documents are not valid throughout most of Europe.

Known as the 10-year rule, this requirement means that UK holidaymakers must not have a passport that is valid for more than 10 years when travelling to the EU or Schengen area countries.

Anyone with a passport that was issued before September 2018 could fall foul of this.

This is because prior to this date, the passport office used to add up to nine months extra from your old passport to your new one. While these rules changed in 2020, following Brexit, it could still be easy to overlook.

Providing information about the 10-year rule, the said: "Different countries have specific entry requirements. If your passport isn't valid, it could wreak havoc with your travel plans."

On its website, it explained more: "Since the UK left the European Union in 2020, UK passport holders are now seen as 'third-country nationals' by EU and Schengen countries." The Schengen area is made up of 29 European countries that have abolished border controls at their common borders.

It includes four countries that are not in the EU - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The Post Office continued: "This means the entry rules have changed.

"And many UK holidaymakers are still being caught out by them." Breaking down how the dates work, it said: "Passports issued after 2018 are valid for exactly 10 years.

"But if your passport was issued before September 2018, it might be valid for up to 10 years and nine months. This is because, before 2018, the passport office would add up to nine extra months from your old passport to your new one.

"This means some people have passports that haven't officially expired and are still valid for travel worldwide. The exception is travel in Europe, where passports must be less than 10 years old."

To travel to Europe and Schengen countries, your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before your departure date
• Valid for at least three months after your planned return date

However, the 10-year rule does not apply to Brits travelling to Ireland. It is also important to remember that people from the UK can now only stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a six-month period.

To check all the details about travelling to the EU and Schengen area, visit .

Renewing or replacing your passport

It costs £94.50 to renew or replace your passport online or £107 if you fill in a paper application. You must be aged 16 or over (or turning 16 in the next three weeks) to get an adult passport.

There's a different process to get a passport for a child. There are different ways to renew or replace your passport if you're outside the UK. For more information, visit .