Figures from the Passport Office show that a whopping 4.5 million Brits - almost 7% of the UK’s population - will see their documents expire before July 18 2022. That’s why Co-op Insurance is urging holiday-goers to not delay in checking their passports.
Currently there is a ten-week lead time in place for passport renewals which people are being asked to check ahead of May 9, allowing the new documentation to arrive in time for the perfect, dream holiday this summer.
Without a valid passport, it’s not physically possible to travel and most European countries now require British travellers to hold a passport which has been valid for at least three months after the date they intend to leave the EU country they are visiting. Also one which was issued within the previous ten years.
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WalesOnline reported that the head of travel at Co-op Insurance, Graham Ward Lush, said: “Many of us won’t have had a proper summer holiday since 2019 and we know that millions of Brits all over the country are eagerly anticipating this year’s getaway, particularly as most travel restrictions have now been lifted. But with many passports having been lying in a drawer for the past two years, we’re urging travellers to check the expiration date on their own passports and also any family member’s TODAY.
“Many families in England and Wales will be looking to get away at the end of July, which means May 9 is a good deadline to set yourself in order to ensure that new documents arrive back in time.
“There can’t be a more heart-breaking scenario than unearthing a passport the night before travel, only to realise that it is out of date.”
He added: “We want to help ensure that people all over the UK manage to have their dream holiday this summer and aren’t stranded at home due to invalid travel documentation!”
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