• Since new passport validity rules came into effect in September 2018, passport holders have collectively lost 567 million days – the equivalent of 155,000 10-year passports 

• 14 million people - 31 per cent of passport holders - mistakenly believe remaining months on their old passport are carried over when renewing

• Passport confusion could affect millions of Brits in event of no deal Brexit – 36 per cent plan to visit an EU country within the Schengen area where they may now need six months left on their passport, yet 1.5 million have less than six months

 

New research from Direct Line Travel Insurance¹ reveals British Passport holders have collectively lost 567 million days of valid travel since new rules came into effect that stop any remaining time on an old passport being carried over at renewal.  As a result of passport holders renewing before their passports ran out, often because countries demand six months validity to let someone into a country, the equivalent of 155,000 10-year passports have been wasted.

On average, passport holders have 159 days left on their travel document when they renew, or just over five months.  Analysing the money spent buying ‘valid travel time,’ reveals that collectively passport holders have wasted £13.3 million when renewing their documents in just six months. Prior to September 2018, any remaining months (up to nine) on an old passport would be automatically added to a new passport. Now, however, time left on an old passport will not be added to a new one.

Millions of people are unaware that changes to passport rules have even taken place. Nearly a third (31 per cent) of passport holders, over 14 million people, mistakenly believe the months remaining on their documents are automatically transferred over to their new passport. Just 29 per cent (13 million people) knew that the rules had changed, and the remaining months wouldn’t be carried over.

Of those who haven’t renewed their passports in the last two years, 1.5 million (five per cent) have less than six months remaining. These people may be in for a nasty surprise if travelling to the Schengen² area of Europe in the event of a no deal Brexit, as current travel advice³suggests that Schengen countries will require a minimum of six months left on British passports from the date of arrival. This includes countries like France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

Tom Bishop, Head of Travel Insurance at Direct Line commented: “The changes to the time carried over onto new passports have taken many people by surprise.  In many cases a 10-year passport is only useful for nine and a half years as so many countries require six months validity to let someone in.  It is a difficult balancing act, passport holders won’t want to waste remaining time on an old passport by getting a new one too early, but in many cases, holidaymakers will need to ensure they have at least six months validity before travelling.”

27.4 million people (53 per cent of UK adults), are planning a trip to a country that would require more than six months remaining on a passport in the coming year, with over a third (36 per cent) planning to visit a Schengen EU country, where they would need six months passport validity in the event of a no deal Brexit.

Why six months passport validity matters

In the 12 months leading to October 2018 46.3 million trips⁴ abroad were made by Brits on holiday, of which 77 per cent (35.7 million) were to the Schengen area. Over the last five years, the number of trips made by Britons to the Schengen area on holiday has increased by 7.3 million, or 26 per cent, while there has been a 290,000 increase (six per cent) in trips made to other countries requiring a minimum of six months on a UK passport to enter.

Between October 2017 and October 2018, 5.1 million holidays were made by Brits to non-European countries requiring a minimum of six months on a UK passport to enter, with the USA (2.2 million), Turkey (one million), UAE (560,000), Thailand (305,000) and India (213,000) being the most popular destinations.

Under the new rules in event of a no deal Brexit, nine of the top 10 countries visited by Brits last year will require a minimum of six months validity on a passport.  The Republic of Ireland will be the only destination that does not require six months on British passports to allow entry.

Bishop continued: “With the Brexit process and timeline continually changing, the best advice for anyone going on holiday this year is to make sure they have at least six months remaining on their passport. Even just popping over to France on the Eurostar could require six months validity in the event of a no deal Brexit so it’s better to be safe than sorry. It is always sensible to make sure a passport has enough time on it before even booking a holiday, just in case.

“With all the changes happening due to Brexit, it has never been more important to make sure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers you for any health-related concerns, as EHIC card will not be valid under a no-deal Brexit.”

For a full list of passport rules in relation to Brexit, visit the Government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit.

Other travel changes in the event of a no deal Brexit include:

·         At border control you may need to show a return or onward ticket, show you have enough money for your stay and/or use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queuing

·         Your European Health Insurance Card which entitles you to state provided healthcare may not be valid so comprehensive travel insurance becomes even more important

·         If you are taking your vehicle abroad, you will need a green card from your car insurance company, a GB sticker for your car and an International Driving Permit (IDP)

·         If travelling with a pet, contact your vet at least four months beforehand as current EU pet passports will not be valid. A blood test will need to be carried out with results verified by an EU approved laboratory and owners must wait three months from the date of a successful blood sample taken before travelling

 

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

¹        Research conducted among 2001 adults aged 18+, 19^th – 22^nd March 2018

²        The 26 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland

³        https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

⁴        Analysis conducted using TravelPac data from the Office of National Statistics

For further information please contact:

Naomi Kombe

Media Relations Executive
Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 832 2895
Email: [email protected]

Nick Andrews

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

[email protected]

0207 025 6452

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 0415 or visiting www.directline.com/travel-insurance