Last Updated on June 16, 2025 by Tracey Roberts
British Passport Expiry Date: You’ve arranged all the necessary details for your upcoming trip, including booking flights, reserving a room, and selecting fun activities to participate in during your vacation.
As you go over your checklist one more time, you remember to check your British passport to make sure that everything is in order. You take a quick look at it to make sure you still have enough pages left to gain access into the country, but then you see the date of expiry. Oh no, your passport has expired or is about to expire, and your trip is in a week’s time! What are you going to do?
Quick Overview
British adult passports are valid for 10 years (children’s passports for 5 years), with the expiration date clearly printed on the information page. Many countries enforce a “six‑month rule,” meaning your passport must still be valid for at least six months beyond your travel period to avoid being denied boarding or entry If you’ve already booked travel and notice your passport is near expiry—or has expired—you may still be eligible for an Emergency Travel Document, though it’s best to renew well in advance.
Renewing early helps prevent stress and delays, especially given international rules around validity.
Key Takeaways:
- You are not advised to go ahead as planned if your British passport has expired or will expire within the next three to six months.
- If your trip is already booked and you notice that your British passport is expired or in the process of expiring, you could try to apply for an Emergency Travel Document.
- Though British passports expire every ten years, some countries require that travellers have at least six months of validity remaining on their passport to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you travel if your British passport expires in 3 months?
It depends on your destination. Many countries, including most of Europe, require at least 6 months’ validity remaining on your British passport.
Can I travel if my passport is about to expire?
Possibly, but it’s risky. Most countries won’t allow entry if your British passport has less than 6 months’ validity. Always check entry requirements before travelling.
Can I travel to Europe with less than 6 months on my passport?
Generally, no. For British citizens visiting the Schengen Area, your passport must be:
Valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure from Europe.
Issued less than 10 years ago, and
You might think that you can just hop on a plane with an in-date passport and travel the world. In fact, many countries demand that visitors have months left on their passport before it expires.
What can you do if your passport is expiring?
You may be asking yourself, is it possible to travel on an expired or soon-to-be-expiring British passport?
The short answer is no.
The more likely scenario, if you decide to travel with an expired or about to expire British passport, is you will be immediately stopped at airport security and won’t be allowed to board the flight.
It is not advised to go ahead as planned if your British passport has expired or will expire within the next three to six months because even if you do happen to make it through security, you could find yourself stuck at your holiday destination, unable to travel home because customs have realised that your British passport is no longer valid. Find out more about the 6-month passport rule and which countries it applies to, here.
Your British Passport Expiry Date
It’s common to make mistakes when planning international travel, and many people overlook the expiration date of their UK passports when planning a trip.
This can happen when getting caught up in the excitement of planning and making other arrangements. However, if you realise this mistake too late, it can have serious consequences.
Though British passports expire every ten years, some countries require that travellers have at least six months of validity remaining on their passport to enter, so it’s important to double-check the expiration date before you travel.
Where do I find my British Passport expiry date?
The expiration date of your UK passport is located on the front page of your passport under the section labelled “Passport Issued.” This date indicates when the passport is no longer valid for travel. For adult passports, the validity period is 10 years from the date of issuance. It’s essential to keep track of the expiration date of your passport to ensure that it is still valid when you plan to travel. It’s also a good idea to renew your passport well before it expires to avoid any last-minute complications or delays.
Emergency Travel Document
If your trip is already booked and you notice that your British passport is expired or in the process of expiring, you could try to apply for an Emergency Travel Document. Find out more about emergency travel documents here.
UK Passport Expiry Date Format
The expiry date format of a UK passport is represented as the day, month, and year in numerical format, with the day and month having two digits each and the year having four digits.
For example, an expiry date of January 30th, 2023, would be written as “30/01/2023.” This format is consistent with the international standard for representing dates and is easily understood by border control and immigration officials in many countries around the world.
The expiry date is prominently displayed on the information page of a UK passport, typically the first page. If you plan to travel internationally, it is important to ensure that your passport is valid for the entire duration of your trip.
Conclusion: How U.K.ABROAD Can Help.
U.K.ABROAD is a well-known and reputable provider of British passport services. The company specialises in assisting British citizens with passport renewals, replacements, and first-time applications from abroad. Whether you need to renew an expiring passport, replace a lost or stolen one, or apply for a first-time passport, U.K.ABROAD has the expertise and resources to guide you through the process and ensure that your application is handled efficiently and effectively.
My experience renewing my passport was excellent! Couldn’t have asked for better. Very timely and professional. My representative Shaun let me know how things were progressing and it was a worry -free process. Thank you, thank you!
Complete the simple contact form below to get in touch with us, and we will gladly assist you. Our knowledgeable team will work with you to ensure that you fill in the correct forms and supply all the correct documentation required to renew your British passport.
We recommend that you do not attempt to travel using an expired or expiring British passport. Rather plan carefully and contact one of our passport experts at U.K.ABROAD today to apply for a renewed passport so that you don’t have to miss a planned trip to your desired destination.
