With the festive season now fully upon us, the Christmas markets around the world are in full swing. And many Brits might be heading to European Christmas markets for long weekends to enjoy the festivities, but are being warned to check their passport is valid before they head to the airport.
Alvaro Iturmendi, Confused.com travel insurance expert, said: “This festive season, many Brits might be heading to European countries to visit the Christmas markets. But no matter whether it’s a short trip, or a last-minute booking, before any trip, it’s absolutely crucial to check your passport’s validity well in advance.
“Our research found that less than half of travellers knew that if you’re heading to the EU, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before their departure date. And if your passport doesn’t meet this regulation, it could mean you’re denied entry into the country, or may not even be allowed on the flight in the first place. Either way, it’s likely to lead to a lot of disruption to your holiday plans.
“An emergency passport could cost up to £207 depending on its urgency. And with time taken off work last-minute and travel costs to visit a passport office, this could become costly and time-consuming. This is especially true if you need to visit an office far from home.
“And unfortunately, travel insurance will not cover the cost of last-minute travel for an emergency passport, nor for any missed flights or holidays. You should always double-check your passport’s expiration date as soon as you start planning your trip and leave yourself ample time to renew it if needed. By using our passport checker, you can save a great deal of time, money, and stress.”