Five years after Brexit, many UK travelers are still facing unexpected problems when flying to Europe. A British couple recently experienced this firsthand when Ryanair refused to let them board their flight to Greece because of a little-known passport rule tied to Brexit. Their dream anniversary vacation turned into a costly nightmare, highlighting why travelers must now pay extra attention to passport rules that didn’t exist before the UK left the EU.
Paul Mason, 59, and Zoe Rooney, 47, had planned a romantic three-day getaway to Athens to celebrate their 25th anniversary. They booked their flights with Ryanair in December 2024, unaware that Zoe’s passport—issued in November 2014 and expiring in August 2025—would be rejected under post-Brexit rules. At the boarding gate on February 20, airline staff stopped them, explaining that even though her passport had months left before expiry, it was technically **more than 10 years old** from its issue date, making it invalid for EU travel.
The couple was shocked. They had passed online check-in and security without any warnings, only to be turned away minutes before boarding. “We were treated like criminals,” Paul said. “No one told us there was an issue until it was too late.” Their £1,000 trip—flights and hotel—was lost, and with no immediate way to get a new passport, their anniversary plans were ruined.
Ryanair says the rules are clearly stated on their website, with pop-up reminders during booking. A spokesperson explained that EU regulations—not the airline—require UK passports to be less than 10 years old on the day of travel and have at least three months of validity left after the return date. However, critics argue airlines should do more to prevent these situations by automatically flagging invalid passports during booking rather than letting travelers find out at the gate.
Since Brexit, UK travelers have faced growing complications when visiting Europe. Stricter passport checks, potential visa requirements for longer stays, and even the return of mobile roaming charges for some have made trips to the EU less straightforward. This incident is just one example of how post-Brexit rules continue to catch people off guard, leading to financial losses and travel disruptions.
To avoid similar problems, UK travelers heading to Europe should take extra precautions. First, check the **issue date** of your passport—if it’s more than 10 years old, renew it even if the expiry date is still far off. Second, ensure it has at least three months of validity remaining after your planned return. Finally, always review the latest entry requirements for your destination, as rules can vary slightly between EU countries.
For now, the key lesson is clear: Brexit has changed travel rules in ways many Brits still don’t fully realize. While airlines and governments could improve communication, the responsibility ultimately falls on travelers to verify their documents carefully—or risk losing money and missing out on long-awaited trips.
Related topics:
British Travelers Alerted Over Turkey Unrest – Foreign Office Issues Emergency Advice
Alaska Threatens to Skip British Columbia Ports Amid Growing Trade Dispute
British Airways Marks 65 Years of Toronto-London Flights with Special Flash Sale
