Concerns about what will happen to European Union (EU) passports after 31 October are widespread as D-Day for Brexit quickly approaches.
British passports will get a makeover, which will be the first transformation of its kind in 30 years.
The traditional burgundy passports will now get a glossy blue and gold cover.
But what will happen to the old ones? And how will the new rules affect holiday plans?
Cambridge News reports that the new passport requirements will only be applicable in the event of a No Deal Brexit. This is still a possibility if Boris Johnson’s Members of Parliament reject the latest deal.
The Express warns tourists to pay close attention to updates in advance of the anticipated leave date.
The UK Government has published a list of new guidelines on gov.uk, addressing speculations around brand new passports, potential visas and duty-free changes.
The UK Foreign Office told The Express: “If the UK leaves the European Union without a deal, visiting the EU will change.”
Holiday hotspots including the South of France, Spain and Portugal could see changes to requirements for British tourists.
The rules for travel to most countries in Europe will change if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
- You should have at least 6 months left on your passport from your date of arrival. This applies to adult and child passports.
- If you renewed a passport before it expired, up to 9 extra months may have been added to your new passport’s expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months that should be remaining for travel to most countries in Europe.
The Express reports the new rules will apply to passports issued by the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey.
What exactly is a ‘No Deal’ Brexit?
Cambridge News explains a No Deal Brexit means the UK and EU have been unable to reach a withdrawal agreement.
No withdrawal agreement means there is no 21-month transition period to help the UK leave the EU smoothly with minimal effect on our economy and British businesses.
This means consumers, businesses and public bodies would have to respond immediately to changes as a result of leaving the EU, rather than having a slow transition to allow everyone to adapt to the changes.
The withdrawal agreement also covers how much money the UK must pay to the EU as a settlement, citizens’ rights, and the ‘backstop’ to ensure there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The UK will leave on D-Day “do or die”
Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said last week that it will not vote for Johnson’s deal.
Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, said the deal sounded “even worse” than what was negotiated by Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May, and “should be rejected” by MPs.
Johnson has said the UK will leave on 31 October “do or die”.
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