British travellers are being urged to carry out important passport checks before running into the risk of being turned away at the airport. Experts at travel insurance provider Tiger.co.uk have issued a list of seven essential checks that every holidaymaker should make, especially as new rules, rising costs, and border delays come into play.

It comes just days after the cost of a new passport increased by 7% to £94.50, while the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which will replace manual passport stamping with facial and fingerprint scanning when it comes into force later this year, is expected to slow down travel times even further. With that in mind, Ian Wilson, the Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk, urged people to plan ahead.

He said: “Post-Brexit travel changes are still confusing for many of us, so it’s important for Brits to familiarise themselves with the validity requirements before jetting off to Europe.

“Travellers also need to ensure their passports are in good physical condition, as things like damage from water or ink, rips in pages and laminate peeling from the personal details page can mean that your passport may not be accepted as a valid travel document.”

Below are the seven passport checks you should carry out now.

1. Blank Pages

All travellers must have at least two blank pages in their passport.

Without them, the document could be seen as invalid, especially in Europe, where UK travellers are stamped every visit.

Those who travel frequently should consider applying for a jumbo passport with 54 pages.

2. Expiry Date

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the EU and issued within the last 10 years.

Some countries outside Europe require at least six months of validity.

3. Water Damage

Even minor water damage could invalidate your passport.

Smudged ink, discolouration or damage to your photo can result in being refused at the border.

4. Ripped Pages

Tears or missing pages, especially those affecting personal details or visa stamps, could render the passport unusable.

5. Laminate Peeling

If the laminate on your ID page is lifting or peeling, it could raise suspicions of tampering. It’s best to renew it to avoid complications.

6. Visa Requirements

UK passport holders don’t need a visa for short trips of up to 90 days in Europe, but rules vary outside the EU. Always check visa requirements ahead of time.

7. Child Passports

Children’s passports only last five years. Parents should double-check expiry dates well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.

Experts at Tiger.co.uk say travellers denied boarding due to invalid passports are unlikely to be covered by insurance.