Buddies looking to jet off on holiday this summer are being urged to check their passports as new figures reveal millions of people's documents are set to expire by July.
New figures from the Passport Office - obtained by Co-op Insurance - revealed show that a massive 4.5 million people – almost seven percent of the UK’s total population – will see their documents expire before the July 18 - two weeks into the Renfrewshire school summer holidays which begin on June 29.
Holiday makers looking to jet off for some sun are being urged to check their passports now ahead of May 9 - this Monday - as there is a current ten-week lead time in place for passport renewals.
Travelling without a valid passport is physically not possible and most European countries now require British travellers to have a passport which is valid for at least three months after the date they intend to leave the EU country they are visiting and also one which was issued within the previous ten years.
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Graham Ward-Lush, head of travel at Co-op Insurance, 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 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can’t be a more heart-breaking scenario than unearthing a passport the night before travel, only to realise that it is out of date.
"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!”
