Manchester Airport passengers risk entry ban to 5 hotspots

Some countries require passports to have a strict validity on them, meaning that anyone with a passport that has less than the country they’re travelling to requires could be denied entry.

New data reveals that more than 705,000 UK passports currently have less than three months’ validity remaining, while nearly 350,000 were issued more than a decade ago, meaning more than one million could fail entry requirements for some overseas destinations.

Compare the Market issues warning to Manchester Airport passengers

Compare the Market has issued a warning to holidaymakers flying from Manchester Airport, urging them to check their passports before travelling abroad, following analysis of HM Passport Office data.

Is your passport still valid if it has less than three months left on it?

The analysis was completed in June 2026 and shows that 705,904 British passports have less than three months remaining before they expire.

These passports are still valid, but some destinations ask visitors to adhere to additional validity requirements, so it’s crucial you know the rules before going away.

Which European destinations require at least three months on your passport?

Countries in the EU’s Schengen Area require UK travellers to have a passport that is valid for at least three months after their planned departure from the Schengen Area.

This includes popular holiday destinations such as:

• France
• Greece
• Italy
• Portugal
• Spain

Manchester Airport offers regular flights to these five destinations, so it’s important passengers make sure their passports are valid for travel before their trip.

What is the 10-year entry rule for passports?

Holidaymakers also need to make sure their passports were issued within the previous 10 years on the date of entry.

If your passport was issued before September 2018, the 10-year rule is particularly relevant for you.

Previously, up to nine months of unused validity could be carried over when renewing a passport, meaning some documents may appear in date but still be ineligible for entry.

What you need to apply for ETIAS

Therefore, some passports could still be in date but fail to meet the Schengen Area’s entry requirements.

The data shows that 347,268 British passports currently in circulation were issued more than 10 years ago, meaning some travellers could be caught out.

In addition, 2.37 million passports are set to expire in 2026, prompting further warnings for travellers to plan ahead.

Tim Knighton, travel insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Many travellers assume if they have a valid passport they can travel overseas without any issues, but that’s not always the case.

“Some countries, including many popular European destinations, require several months’ validity extending beyond the length of a trip, so it’s important to check the entry requirements for each destination before travelling.

“With more than 700,000 UK passports now having less than three months’ validity remaining, it’s worth travellers taking a few minutes to check theirs before heading abroad.

“Renewing a passport early could help avoid unnecessary stress and reduce the risk of holiday plans being disrupted.

“Travellers should do their best to keep their passport safe while away, as data shows more than 422,000 passports were reported lost or stolen last year and replacing one overseas can often be both stressful and expensive.

“While some travel insurance policies will cover lost and stolen passports, there are specific conditions and policies vary so it’s always worth comparing different deals and checking details of your cover to ensure you get the right level of protection for your circumstances.”

How to check if your passport is valid for travel

To check if your passport is valid for travel, make sure to check your passport’s expiry date well before booking a holiday.

You can check the entry requirements for the country you’re visiting via the government website.

It shares any travel warnings and updates travellers need to know, including how much time you must have left before your expiry date.

You can use the search function or go through the list of destinations to find the latest travel advice.

Have you had any passport issues when travelling? Tell us in the comments below.