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What is the Minimum Passport Validity to Enter UK?

Anne morris.

• 28 June 2023

IN THIS SECTION

For a non-UK national planing to visit the UK, in most cases you’ll need to have a valid passport on arrival at the UK port of entry.

Where someone is travelling with a passport, they must also ensure that their passport is not due to expire, as they may be refused entry to UK , even if their passport is valid on arrival. This is because there are rules around minimum passport validity to enter Britain.

The following guide for non-UK nationals looks at the rules on both passport validity and expiry issues to avoid any delay or disappointment when passing through border control.

What is the minimum passport validity to enter UK?

Any traveler who is a national from outside the EEA or Switzerland, you must have a valid passport to enter the UK. On arrival in the UK, your passport will be checked to ensure that you are allowed to enter the country, where this should be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay.

EEA and Swiss nationals may be eligible to travel to the UK with a national identity card instead of a passport.

However, other countries have their own rules concerning passport validity and expiration rules. Some countries have in place a comparable rule to the UK, where a passport must be valid for the duration of the stay, while others have what is commonly referred to as the 6-month passport rule, which states that a person’s passport must be valid for another 6 months before they depart for international travel. The 6-month travel period may also commence from either the date of departure or arrival, depending on the country.

For example, for travel from the UK to India, a passport must be valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry, while for travel from the UK to New Zealand, a passport should be valid for a minimum of one month from the date of exit.

Even where other countries do not follow the 6-month passport rule, they may still require that a passport is valid for 3 months. For example, for most European countries, it is recommended that the passport expiry date is at least 3 months after the intended day of departure from the EU, although for Northern Cyprus this is 6 months.

As such, it is important for anyone to check the validity of their passport before travelling. Equally, if an individual plans to travel to another country after leaving the UK, before returning to their home country, they should check the passport rules for that destination. At least 6 months remaining validity may be required for onward travel to many other countries. If an individual does not have the required time left remaining on their passport where they are bound for continental Europe or other destinations, at the very least, it may take longer to pass through immigration control, although they may also be refused entry.

Further, in addition to having sufficient time remaining on a passport, to be able to travel to the UK and other countries, a traveller may also need to have blank pages for any entry and exit stamps, where the UK itself requires at least one page. However, where a person wants to travel on, other countries may require more than one page. For example, to travel from the UK to India, a passport must be machine readable, with two blank pages for a visa.

What happens if someone’s passport will expire while in the UK?

If an individual’s passport is due to expire while they are in the UK, where a passport must be valid for the full length of a person’s stay, that person is likely to be denied boarding. If they are able to travel to the UK, it is also likely that they will be refused entry on arrival, where the rules on travelling with a soon-to-be expired passport are strict.

If someone is refused entry to the UK, they will be notified in writing of the reasons for this and whether they can appeal against this decision. They will also be told when they will be removed from the UK, although this will usually be with immediate effect. In some cases, a person may be allowed entry into the UK, for up to one week, although their passport will be taken from them and they must report to immigration officers at prescribed intervals.

What are the requirements for non-UK nationals when entering the UK?

In addition to having a minimum passport validity to enter UK soil, there are various other requirements that must be met, including having a visa where they do not otherwise have the lawful immigration status to enter the UK without one. There is a useful online tool at GOV.UK that can be used to check if someone needs a UK visa and, if so, what type.

An non-UK national may need a visa to come to the UK to either visit, study or work. They may also need a visa to come into or transit through the UK, depending on their nationality. There are two types of transiting: airside and landside. With airside transiting, the person does not pass through UK border control before they leave on their connecting journey, whereas with landside transiting, they do pass through UK border control, but come back through it and leave the UK within a short amount of time, typically 24 hours. A person will always pass through border control if they leave the main airport building for any reason or even if they need to collect their bags and check them in to their onward flight. Depending on the individual’s nationality, they may need a visa for both types of transiting.

If a person needs a visa to come to the UK, this must have been issued before they travel. They will also need a valid passport or other travel document to be able to successfully apply for a visa, ensuring that they have a blank page in their passport for this purpose.

Even for overseas nationals who do not need a visa in advance of travel to come to the UK, ie; non-visa nationals who are visiting the UK for less than 6 months, they may still need in their possession sufficient documentation to satisfy border officials that they are a genuine visitor who will not be undertaking any activities in the UK not permitted under the visitor rules, including paid employment, and that they intend to leave at the end of their stay.

What are the passport requirements for EEA or Swiss citizens?

If a person is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, they can enter the UK using either a passport, an Irish passport card or an EEA or Swiss-issued national identity card, provided they are eligible to use one. As with other non-UK nationals, their passport or identity card must be valid for the whole stay in the UK. They can travel with a national identity card from an EEA country or Switzerland in the following circumstances:

• they have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) — introduced post-Brexit to enable EEA and Swiss citizens
• already living in the UK to apply for lawful immigration status — or Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man’s settlement schemes
• they have an EUSS family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man
• they have a Frontier Worker permit
• they are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
• they are a Swiss national and have a ‘Service Provider from Switzerland’ visa.

If someone has either settled or pre-settled status under the EUSS, the passport or national identity card they are travelling with must be registered on their account with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The same rule in relation to registering their passport or travel document on their UKVI account also applies if they used the ‘ UK Immigration: ID Check ’ app to scan their identity document when applying for a visa to enable them to come to the UK in circumstances where they do not otherwise have lawful immigration status.

Importantly, a person may be delayed at the UK border if their current passport or national identity card is not registered on their UKVI account. They should update their UKVI account if they have changed their passport or national identity card. They should also update their account if they have recently changed their name, address, postal or email address, as well as their mobile phone number. This is so that UKVI has up-to-date contact details if they need to get in touch, for example, in respect of a pending visa application.

It is worth noting that someone cannot change their identity document on their UKVI account if they are waiting for a decision from UKVI on a visa application, although they will need to wait for any visa decision before travelling in and out of the UK in any event.

What are the passport requirements for British citizens?

For British citizens, they can enter the UK with their passport, although if they are travelling from Ireland to Northern Ireland, they will not need any documents to enter.

If a British national is travelling from Ireland to England, Scotland or Wales, a Border Force officer may ask to see proof of that person’s identity and nationality, where they can use any documents that prove this, including a current or expired passport, a copy of their passport, provided this clearly shows their identity and nationality, or documentary proof that they have been given British citizenship, such as a UK citizenship certificate. If they are using an expired passport, it must be recent enough that it is clear that this is theirs.

What can a person expect on arrival at a UK port or airport?

As everyone will need to show a passport or national identity document on arrival in the UK, they must remove this from any holder or wallet and have this ready. They must also remove any face covering or sunglasses. If a person is with their family, they should move through passport control together and have all their passports ready to be checked.

If a person has a British passport, they can use the UK/EEA channel to get their passport checked, as this is often faster than the other channels. At some airports, they can also use automatic ePassport gates if their passport has a chip in it and they are aged 12 or over, where these gates use facial recognition technology to check someone’s identity against the photo in their passport. For travellers aged 12-17, they must be accompanied by an adult.

Equally, if a person is from the EEA or Switzerland, they can use the UK/EEA channel to get their passport or national identity card checked, or use the automatic ePassport gates where available at an airport and they have a passport with a chip. In contrast, if someone is from outside the EEA or Switzerland, their passport, and visa if they have one, will be manually checked at border control. They will also usually be asked why they are coming to the UK.

If a person is from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the USA, they can use the UK/EEA immigration lanes and the automatic ePassport gates. However, they must still see a border control officer and get a stamp in their passport if they are entering the UK on a permitted paid engagement or with a Tier 5 Creative or Sporting certificate of sponsorship for up to 3 months and they want to enter without a visa. They cannot get a stamp if they use the ePassport gates where, without a stamp, they will not be allowed to carry out the activities that they came to the UK to do.

In all cases, regardless of nationality, and even if British, those entering the UK should abide by the rules relating to what they bring with them into the UK. What someone can bring will depend on where they are travelling from, where they must declare to customs:

• anything over their duty-free allowance
• banned or restricted goods in the UK
• goods that they plan to sell in the UK
• more than €10,000 in cash, or its equivalent, if they are coming from outside the EU.

Both the individual and their baggage may be checked by customs for anything that must be declared. If someone is stopped and asked about their baggage, they must co-operate. If they are found to be breaking the rules for bringing goods into the UK, those goods may be seized by customs. They may also receive a penalty or, in the case of tobacco or alcohol, where someone has gone over their personal allowance, they may have to pay tax and duty.

Minimum passport validity to enter UK FAQs

Can i leave the uk with 3 months on my passport.

You must check the passport validity period for the country you plan to travel to from the UK. This could be 3 or 6 months from either the date of arrival or departure, or for the duration of your trip.

Can I travel with less than 6 months on my passport?

It is possible to travel with less than 6 months on your passport, depending on which country you are travelling to. To travel to the UK, your passport will need to be valid for the entire duration of your trip.

Last updated: 28 June 2023

Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.

She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.

Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator , and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals

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About DavidsonMorris

As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

Legal Disclaimer

The matters contained in this article are intended to be for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law, and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of writing, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should be sought.

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United Kingdom

Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

United kingdom - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

There is also a risk of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to the United Kingdom.

If you decide to travel to the United Kingdom:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and Twitter.com/Travelgov
• Review the  Country Security Report  for the United Kingdom.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel and return to the United States.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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Quick Facts

Must be valid for the duration of your stay in the United Kingdom   (If you have onward travel to countries outside the United Kingdom, you should check the passport validity requirements for each additional country on their respective information pages.)

Must have at least one page

Not required for stays less than six months.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy london.

33 Nine Elms Lane London, SW11 7US United Kingdom Telephone: +(44)(20) 7499-9000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(44)(20) 7499-9000 Fax: +(44) (20) 7891-3845 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Edinburgh, Scotland 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BW Scotland Telephone: 013-1556-8315 / from the United States: 011 (44)(13) 1556-8315 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  020-7499-9000 / from the United States: 011 (44)(20) 7499-9000 Fax: 0131-557-6023 /from the United States: 011 (44) 131-557-6023 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Belfast, Northern Ireland Danesfort House, 223 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5GR Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Telephone: 028-9038-6100 / from the United States: 011 (44)(28) 9038-6100 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 01253-501106 / from the United States: 011 (44) 1253-501106 Fax: 028-9068-1301 / from the United States: 011 (44)(28) 9068-1301 Email: [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

• To enter the United Kingdom, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay.
• Starting June 2019, U.S. passport holders will be able to use the ePassport Gates upon arrival in the United Kingdom. U.S. citizens who had previously registered for the UK’s Registered Traveller Service (RTS) should now also use the ePassport Gates on arrival in the UK.
• If you are planning onward travel after departing the UK, note that many other countries require at least six months’ remaining validity on your passport to enter. If you are bound for Continental Europe, please see our  U.S. travelers in Europe page for additional details.
• Visas for specific categories of visitors must be obtained prior to travel. Visit the  UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website to determine if you need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. We cannot intervene on your behalf when you apply for a UK visa, nor can we advocate for your admission into the UK if you are denied entry.
• Students and prospective students should visit the  UKVI website  to determine if they need a visa.
• For some U.S. travelers, especially students, an entry stamp is required.  Please consult this website  for more information.
• Unpaid and paid workers, interns, volunteers, charity workers, and temporary workers can find information about obtaining a visa on the  UKVI website .
• Visitors traveling to the United Kingdom to get married, even if they do not plan to reside there, must obtain a visa in advance. See the  UKVI website  for visa information.
• Surcharges apply to certain categories of visas, generally those involving work, study, or residency for more than six months. More information is available on the  UKVI website  and in our Health section below.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the United Kingdom.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible near-term attacks in Europe. The UK Security Service publishes specific reasons for any changes in the threat level and recommended actions for the public via its  UK threat levels website .

There is the potential for  isolated violence  related to the political situation in Northern Ireland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland assesses there is a continued threat of violence from dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets, and may involve the use of  firearms  and  explosives . Tensions may be heightened during the summer marching season (April to August), particularly on and around the July 12 public holiday.

Avoid areas of demonstrations  if possible, and be careful within the vicinity of demonstrations. Demonstrations occur frequently in and around city centers and areas where tourists frequent. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate to violence.

The phone number for  police/fire/ambulance emergency services  is  999  in the United Kingdom and  112  in Gibraltar. You should also use these numbers to report security threats or suspicious packages. Also see information for  contacting police from abroad .

• Be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
• Be vigilant, as  pickpocketing ,  mugging,  and “snatch and grab” theft of mobile phones, watches and jewelry can occur.
• Do not leave bags unattended in restaurants, pubs, hotel lobbies, and parked cars.
• Be alert to other criminal schemes, such as  impostors  posing as undercover police officers and “fining” tourists for bogus minor offenses. A legitimate Metropolitan Police Services officer will never demand an immediate cash payment.
• Use only licensed Black Cabs or pre-ordered car services (minicabs) . Unlicensed taxis or private cars posing as taxis may offer low fares, but in some instances, travelers have been  robbed  or  sexually assaulted  while using these cars. See Transport for London for additional information on cabs and car services .
• Avoid using ATMs that look temporary in structure or location  or are located in isolated areas – they may not be legitimate. Use ATMs located inside a bank branch.

Scams : Before sending any money to individuals you have never met in person, visit the  Embassy London website  for more information about  internet financial scams  and how to protect yourself.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime : Report crimes to the local police at 999 (United Kingdom) or 112 (Gibraltar) and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(44) (20) 7499-9000.

• Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on  victim compensation programs in the United States
• The Victim Support website  is maintained by an independent UK charity to help people cope with the effects of crime
• A Northern Ireland-based independent charity maintains a similar  victim support website
• In Scotland, victims of crime should contact  Victim Support Scotland
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support if you are destitute
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

• You will be arrested if you bring pocket knives, blades, mace or pepper spray canisters, or any part of a gun into the United Kingdom . Please refer to the UK government publication  Travelling to the UK , which details the items visitors are prohibited from bringing into the United Kingdom.
• Penalties against  alcohol-related  and other  in-flight  crimes committed aboard aircraft to and from the United Kingdom are stiff and are enforced with  prison sentences . Please also see  our information on U.S. customs regulations  covering your return to the United States.
• Controlled Substances: UK law prohibits possession and trafficking of controlled substances and narcotics, including some substances that may be legal to possess under the law of certain U.S. states. More information on controlled substances is available here . Individuals who violate UK drug laws may face penalties including fines or prison sentences.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained in the United Kingdom, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Special Circumstances:

• The legal drinking age in the United Kingdom is 18. Parents and organizers of school trips should read our  Students Abroad website  to help plan a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Scotland’s “drink drive limit” law was amended to a lower level (roughly .05 BAC) and is stricter than the rest of the United Kingdom (roughly .08 BAC). This means that  driving after even one drink  can result in a charge of driving under the influence.
• The United Kingdom has very strict gun control laws, and importing firearms is extremely complicated.  Information on applying for a firearm and/or shotgun certificate can be found on the  London Metropolitan Police Firearms licensing webpage .  Licenses from England or Wales may not be valid in Scotland; please check with the appropriate authorities.  For firearms certificates for Scotland, please check with  Police Scotland .

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in the United Kingdom.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:

• UK law requires that all public service providers (except in the transportation sector) make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure their services are available to persons with disabilities.  Nevertheless, code exemptions permit many older buildings to have steps up from the street.
• Getting around in cities may be difficult at times because sidewalks can be narrow and uneven.
• Most London Underground and UK National Rail System stations are not readily accessible for people with disabilities.  Many stations do not have elevators, and have stairways and long corridors for changing trains or exiting to the street. Many UK buses are equipped with lowering platforms for limited-mobility or sight- or hearing-disabled travelers.
• Many taxis have swivel-entry seats or retractable ramps to ease entry.
• Disabled parking permits (known as “blue badges”) are issued by local government councils throughout the country. Visit the  UK government website  for contact information. Some councils may not offer permits to temporary visitors.

The  Transport for London  and  National Rail  websites provide information for passengers with disabilities.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  women travelers .

While medical services are widely available,  free medical care  under the National Health System (NHS) is allowed only for UK residents, certain EU nationals, and some visa holders.

An NHS surcharge is assessed on certain visa applicants at the time of application.  Tourists and short-term visitors will not be assessed the surcharge, but will be charged 150 percent of the cost of any medical treatment they receive from the NHS. Unpaid balances of £1,000 or more can result in being barred from return to the United Kingdom.

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills, and U.S. Medicare is not valid overseas.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides  coverage overseas . Most care providers overseas only accept  cash payments . See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas.

• We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

Carry  prescription medication  in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Traveling with sufficient supplies to last the duration of your trip is recommended. Mailing prescriptions is prohibitive and may be delayed or rejected by British customs.

Certain prescriptions available in the United States are classified as a "controlled drug"  in the United Kingdom and cannot be brought into the country without applying for and obtaining a prior license. This includes prescriptions for medical marijuana or products containing CBD and THC.  Please visit the https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs for additional information. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended for international travel by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions in the United Kingdom can differ significantly from those in the United States.

• In contrast to the United States, UK traffic drives on the left.  Read the  Highway Code  before driving.
• Emergency call boxes  (orange telephone booths with “SOS” printed on them) are found at half-mile intervals along motorways. White and blue poles point in the direction of the nearest call box. Call boxes dial directly to a motorway center. Use these phones rather than a personal cell phone, because motorway center personnel will immediately know your exact location.
• Generally,  pedestrians do not have the right of way  and should not expect vehicles to stop for them.

Many U.S. citizen pedestrians are injured, some fatally, every year in the United Kingdom, because they forget that oncoming  traffic approaches from the opposite direction  than in the United States.  Exercise extra care when crossing streets; remain alert and look both ways before stepping into the street.

Traffic Laws: 

• UK penalties for driving under the influence of  alcohol  or  drugs  are strict and often  result in prison sentences .
• Using a  hand-held cell phone  or similar device while driving is  illegal  in the United Kingdom. Only hands-free phones may be used. You will be  fined , or in the case of an accident,  arrested  and serve time in  prison .
• The speed limit on highways/motorways in the United Kingdom is 70 mph, or lower when posted.
• You will be  detained  and  arrested  if you cannot provide a UK address to receive a subpoena or are about to depart the United Kingdom and have to be brought to court quickly for a motoring offense.
• In Central London, a congestion charge is levied on all drivers who pass through the congestion zone. You will be  fined  or  arrested  if you do not pay the charge. See  Transport for London  for more information about driving in London.

Public Transportation:  Public transport in the United Kingdom is extensive.

• Information on disruptions to London transportation services can be found on the  Transport for London  website.
• Information about the status of National Rail Services can be found on the  National Rail Enquiries  website.
• Bus and train service information in Northern Ireland can be found on the  Translink  website.
• Bus and train service information in Scotland can be found on the  Traveline Scotland  website.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. For specific information concerning UK driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, refer to the  UK Department for Transport  website or the  Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency  website.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of United Kingdom’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to the United Kingdom should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at  www.marad.dot.gov/msci . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings website (select “broadcast warnings”).

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in the United Kingdom . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Why UK passport holders need to check the issue date of their passports before travelling to the EU

Did you know that the expiry date on burgundy British passports might be meaningless when travelling to EU countries (except Ireland ) or Schengen zone countries such as Switzerland , Norway and Iceland ? This is because since Brexit, British passports cannot be more than 10 years old when used to travel to the EU – which means you need to look at the date the passport was issued , rather than the date it expires. Most people – understandably – assume that an adult passport lasts 10 years, but if your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months might have been added to its expiry date if the previous passport was renewed before it fully expired (the additional months used to be rolled over).

In spite of being a travel journalist, I was caught out by this sneaky rule on a recent trip to France (you can read more on the FCO’s website ). It was ironic because I was aware of it, and then forgot about it. I had completed a trip to the US just the previous week and hadn’t thought twice about a trip to France with my daughter for the Easter holidays because I still have seven months left on my passport – it expires in November 2023 (you need a minimum of three months to travel to the EU). So I checked in online with Easyjet – uploading my passport details as requested – travelled to London Gatwick with my four year old, had our passports checked before dropping off our suitcase , and then proceeded through security.

A couple of hours later we were queuing to board the plane, but when it came to our turn a member of Easyjet staff scanned my passport and it flashed up as “amber” on her screen. She sternly proceeded to tell me that my passport had expired and we wouldn’t be allowed to board. My daughter started crying and begging to be allowed to see her grandparents whom we were supposed to be visiting. The Easyjet representative was unsympathetic – insisting there was no way we could travel and telling me to step away from the gate. I was shocked – it felt like an arbitrary rule. She wouldn’t even acknowledge that it was confusing for flyers and accepted no responsibility on behalf of the airline for not flagging it during the booking or check-in process.

We then had to wait two hours for our suitcase to be returned while they off-loaded it from the plane. Obviously, it’s my own fault – the rule has been in place since January 2021. But I wanted to share my experience because if I can make this mistake, then other people will do so too. And it’s a costly one – flights lost, hotel lost, holiday lost.

To make matters worse, this happened last week – during the first week of the five-week-long HM Passport Office strikes . What this meant was that I was not able to get a new passport quickly enough to travel during the Easter break (I would have booked new flights if I could). Normally you can pay £193.50 to apply for an Online Premium passport that can be collected in two days, or a Fast Track one that takes a week. When I returned home I attempted to get an appointment for an Online Premium premium passport but it took me two days to secure a slot (every time I clicked it said there were no available appointments – same for Fast Track).

After many dozens of attempts, I finally managed to proceed with the application on 6 April, but the soonest appointment I could get was 25 April and I would have to fly to the passport office in Belfast to collect it (I live in London). There were no slots in England available. As I have a business trip to Berlin at the beginning of May , I went ahead with this – paying £250 for flights to Belfast plus another £100 for a hotel. I then realised my daughters’ passport expires in September 2023 and if we wanted to go on holiday abroad this summer , I would need to get one for her too (you can’t use Online Premium for kids – and it costs £126 Fast Track). So far, there are no appointments available.

These are the current rules for British passport holders travelling to the EU and Schengen zone. Your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the “date of issue”)
• Valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave
• You do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply: you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period OR you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons

UK Passport Validity Rules

How long do you need on your passport when travelling to Europe?

Planning a trip from the UK to an EU country or other associated territories? Ensuring your passport meets the Schengen area passport requirements is crucial for a smooth and hassle-free journey. Here’s what you need to know about passport validity to make your travel experience stress-free.

In this article we answer: Can I travel to Europe with less than 3 months on passport? What is the 10 year passport rule? Do I need a Passport for Ireland? Can I travel to Spain if my passport expires in 3 months? How do I know if the rules change?

Can I travel to Europe with less than 3 months on passport?

No. If you’re heading to an EU country (excluding Ireland) or specific European territories like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, or Vatican City, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Full list of countries in the EU and those in the Shengen area where you require at least 3 months beyond the date you plan to leave.

• Republic of Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Vatican City
• Your passport must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you plan to leave. Confirm this by checking the ‘expiry date’ in your passport.

EU Countries – Passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (excluding Ireland). Part of Schengen Area – Passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave .

For all other countries shown on map you should check with UK Government foreign travel advice

What is the 10 year passport rule?

The issue of passports being valid for over 10 years arose due to a longstanding practice where individuals renewing their passports before expiration could carry over any remaining validity time from the previous document. Prior to September 2018, this meant that up to nine months could be added to the standard 10-year validity period, effectively extending the passport’s validity to a maximum of 10 years and nine months.

Travellers might inspect their passports, noting that the expiration date falls well beyond their intended return date, and assume all is in order. However, it’s crucial to also consider the date of issue. If the passport’s issuance date precedes the traveller’s entry date by more than 10 years, entry may be denied.

• Your passport should have been issued less than 10 years before your planned entry date. Verify this by checking the ‘date of issue’ in your passport.

Pre-Travel Check : Before embarking on your journey, ensure your passport complies with these requirements. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, be aware that extra months might have been added to its expiry date.

Do I need a passport for Ireland?

According to UK foreign travel advice , as a British citizen, you are not required to possess a passport for entry into Ireland. Nevertheless, certain carriers and airlines may request identification. Irish immigration officials routinely inspect the identification of all passengers arriving by air from the UK and may request evidence of British nationality, especially if you were born outside the UK. It is advisable to carry your British passport with you. For guidance on acceptable forms of identification, consult the Ireland Citizens Information Board .

ID is not necessary for crossing the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Related Article How to get an Irish passport through your ancestry if you are British

Can I travel to Spain if my passport expires in 3 months?

As Spain is part of the EU and Schengen area your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’). Therefore it is important that you check your passport well in advance before you visit Spain to ensure you meet the validity guidelines.

How do I know if the rules change?

Rules can change so it is important that you do all your final checks via the government website to be 100% sure. You can select you country on the UK Government foreign travel advice website  and it will advise you on passport requirements along with any other travel advisories or restrictions.

Key takeaways:

Verify and Renew – It’s essential to confirm that your passport meets both the issue date and validity duration criteria. If you suspect your passport might fall short of these requirements, consider contacting the relevant embassy or consulates of your destination country for clarification. If necessary, renew your passport to ensure compliance before your trip.

Seek Assistance if Needed – Should you have any doubts or concerns about your passport’s compliance with the stipulated requirements, seeking guidance from the embassy or consulates of the country you plan to visit can provide clarity and guidance on necessary steps to take.

  Plan Ahead for Renewal – To avoid any last-minute complications or travel disruptions, plan ahead for passport renewal if needed. Timely renewal ensures you meet the validity criteria well in advance of your travel date.

Understanding and adhering to these passport validity rules is pivotal for a seamless travel experience. By ensuring your passport meets the necessary criteria, you can mitigate potential issues and focus on enjoying your journey. Remember, passport validity rules may vary by country and can be subject to change. Always verify the latest requirements through official channels or embassy websites for up-to-date information tailored to your specific travel plans. Planning and preparation are key to a stress-free travel experience. Take the  necessary steps to confirm your passport’s compliance with the Schengen area passport requirements well in advance of your travel date, and embark on your adventure with confidence!

Disclaimer: The information provided is based on guidelines available at the time of writing and may be subject to change. Always verify the latest requirements with the UK Government foreign travel advice service .

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Can I enter the UK with a passport about to expire?

Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by MyBritishPassport

Can I enter the UK with a passport about to expire? | 

If you’re planning to travel to the United Kingdom, it’s important to make sure your passport is valid.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what you need to know about entering the UK with a passport that’s about to expire, including the requirements for travelers and the steps you’ll need to take to renew your passport. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a frequent traveler, understanding these rules can help ensure that your trip goes smoothly.

According to the UK government’s guidelines , it is recommended that your passport have at least six months validity when you enter the UK.

This means that if your passport is due to expire within six months of your arrival date, you may be denied entry. It is best to renew your passport before travelling to avoid any issues or possible denial of entry. It’s also worth checking with your airline or travel provider as they may have additional requirements.

The passport six month rule

The “ six month rule ” refers to the requirement that a person’s passport should have at least six months validity remaining before its expiration date in order for them to be able to enter a foreign country. This rule is not unique to the UK, but is a common requirement among many countries.

The reason for the six month rule is to ensure that the traveler has a valid passport for their entire trip and in case of an emergency or unplanned extension of stay, they have a valid document to remain or return to their home country.

It’s also important to note that some airlines and countries have different rules regarding the expiration date of your passport. It’s therefore best to check with your airline or travel provider before your trip, to avoid any possible issues at the border or during your travel.

Renewing your UK passport from abroad

Are you a British citizen living abroad?

Renewing your UK passport from abroad is now possible through an entirely online process. It is no longer possible to visit a local consulate or embassy to apply in person.

Your British Passport renewal can be done through MyBritishPassport , a company that offers hassle-free online British passport applications, renewals, and replacements from abroad.

By using MyBritishPassport, you can avoid delays and have your British passport delivered straight to your door. The process is simple, you just need to provide the required documents and fill out the online application form. MyBritishPassport will help you throughout the process, providing you with the necessary guidance and support to ensure that your application is completed correctly and promptly. This can save you time and the inconvenience of having to apply directly through the government.

HM Passport Office’s Strict Standards

The HM Passport Office has strict standards when it comes to British passport renewals from abroad. The application process can be complex and requires a significant amount of documentation to be submitted correctly. Incomplete or incorrect applications can lead to delays or even rejection. Moreover, the Passport Office may ask for additional information or documents which can cause additional delays.

To ensure that your application is handled correctly and promptly, it is best to use an expert service like MyBritishPassport. They have the knowledge and experience to help you navigate the application process and ensure that your application is completed correctly. They can also help you prepare the necessary documents and provide you with guidance on how to avoid common mistakes. Using an expert like MyBritishPassport can save you time and the stress of trying to navigate the process on your own.

About MyBritishPassport

If you are a British citizen living abroad and are in need of renewing your British passport, MyBritishPassport can help you do so with ease. The company offers online British passport applications, renewals and replacements for those living abroad. By utilizing their services, you can benefit from:

• Expert guidance from their team on the best course of action for your passport needs
• Preparation and verification of passport forms by MyBritishPassport, simplifying the process for you
• Safe and secure online payment options
• Door-to-door delivery of your documents and newly issued passport via dedicated and reliable courier service.

You can apply now through their easy online form and MyBritishPassport will take care of the rest, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. Click here to start your application today.

Topic: Can I enter the UK with a passport about to expire?

Wondering how far in advance you can renew a UK passport? Find out here. 

Other Helpful Guides:

• Renewing your UK passport from South Africa
• How to renew your British Passport from Australia
• Renewing your British passport in the USA
• UK Passport Renewals from Canada
• Renew UK Passport in NZ
• Renew British Passport from South Africa
• Renew UK Passport from Australia
• British Passports in the USA
• UK Passport Renewals Canada
• Renew British Passport from Europe

ABOUT MYBRITISHPASSPORT

A member of the U.K.PASSPORTS™ group, MyBritishPassport is the leading international British Passport Service Provider catering to British citizens residing outside of the UK. Since its establishment in 2008, the company has been offering efficient and hassle-free online services for British Passport renewals, replacements, and applications from abroad.

The company has gained a reputation as a leading service provider in the industry, with countless verified five-star reviews from satisfied clients worldwide. This speaks volumes about their excellent service quality.

MyBritishPassport has a highly knowledgeable team of British Passport Consultants who are well-versed in all the requirements of the HM Passport Office. They are continuously updated with the latest rules and regulations governing passport issuance, ensuring that their clients receive the most up-to-date advice and guidance.

How To Apply For A British Passport From Outside The UK: Step-by-Step Application Guide

Contributor.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on applying for your first British passport from outside the UK . Obtaining your British passport will solidify your status as a citizen of the United Kingdom, as well as bestowing you benefits associated with a British passport, as was explored in our previous blog . In this article we will steer you through each essential step of the British passport application process. From understanding eligibility criteria to gathering required documents, confirming your identity, and managing processing times and fees, we'll ensure that you have all the necessary information to navigate the British passport application process with confidence.

We have discussed in our previous post here the steps to follow after a British Citizenship application has been granted. There are different ways to acquire British Citizenship and these can be by Naturalisation , Registration or Automatic Acquisition .

Who Can Apply for a First British Passport Outside the UK?

You can apply for a first British passport from outside the UK if you:

• Have never had a British passport before; or
• Were included as a child on someone else's passport; or
• Are renewing a passport that is handwritten; or
• Have become a British national by naturalisation or registration.

Please also see our previous post: " How to Apply for a British Passport: Step-by-Step Application Guide " for further information on eligibility in general for a British passport, potential reasons for refusals, and First British Passport Applications for a Child ( excluding the fees ).

Ways to Apply for a British Passport From Overseas

There are different ways to apply for a British passport from outside the UK. You can apply online, or, alternatively, you can use a paper application form, which is called the OS application form.For some countries you may have to apply in person.

Documents Required When Applying for a British Passport Abroad

The documentation you will require will depend on your individual circumstances. Our immigration barristers can advise you on which documents would be applicable in your circumstances. Below is a summary of the general documents that may be required, but expert advice should always be sought.

Born before 01/01/83 (if applicable)

• Your birth/adoption certificate (if applicable)

Born on or after 01/01/83 (if applicable)

• Your 'full' birth certificate or adoption certificate that shows your parent's details (the 'short' version which is issued for free by the registrar is not acceptable) (if applicable)

If you have naturalised or registered as a British citizen (if applicable)

• Your certificate of naturalisation or registration and the passport that you used to come into the UK and any foreign passport you hold or are included on.

2 recent identical photographs

• You must ensure these meet the photo guidelines .

A full colour copy of any other uncancelled passports relating to you

Change of name documents (if applicable).

You should provide 3 documents as evidence of your name in current use dated within the last year, and at least one of the following for each change of name that has taken place. A list of examples can be found at Table D of the "Guidance Applying for a passport from outside the UK: supporting documents (group 3) (accessible)" .

If you are going back to your maiden or unmarried name, you also need to provide all of the following:

• A signed statement saying that you now use your maiden name for all purposes.
• Your birth certificate and either:
• A decree absolute showing both names or;
• A marriage certificate showing both names.

Identity documents

You must provide a minimum of 3 documents as evidence of name and address and/or residency. A full list of examples can be found at Table A of the " Guidance Applying for a passport from outside the UK: supporting documents (group 3) (accessible)" .

Other documents (if applicable)

If you are applying from a country that is not the country where you were born..

You must provide:

• The passport or travel document that you used to travel to your country of residence, and
• An explanation of why you are not applying in your country of birth

Documents relating to your parent's status at the time of your birth

Evidence of your grandparents' claim to British nationality by providing their birth certificates and, in the case of grandfathers, the marriage certificate to your grandmother. This does not apply if your parent's British nationality is based on registration, naturalisation or their immigration status. If you were born in the UK to settled parents, you will need to provide evidence of their immigration status at the time of your birth.

Confirming Your Identity

A countersignatory is someone who can confirm your identity (and confirm that the photograph is you), and confirm the details in your application are correct. They need to fill in section 10 of the form, give their passport number, sign the box, and give their full address and contact details.

The countersignatory must:

• Have known you personally for at least 2 years (for example, a friend, neighbour or colleague, and not someone who is related to you or only knows you professionally);
• Be a professional person (please see occupations for countersignatories );
• Live in the UK;
• Hold a current British or Irish passport.

The countersignatory must not:

• Be related to you by birth or marriage (including in-laws or partners of family members);
• Be in a personal relationship with you;
• Live at your address;
• Work for HM Passport Office;
• Or be a doctor or General Practitioner (GP), unless they state that they know you well (e.g. good friend) and that they recognise you easily from your photo.

Identity Interviews

The HM Passport Office may ask anyone to attend an identity interview. The interview will help to confirm your identity, legitimise your passport application, and reduce identity fraud.

The HM Passport Office will contact you if you need to have an identity interview. Their email/letter will explain how to make an appointment, and give options on where your interview can take place. Interviews can be held in the UK or overseas over a video link connection. Your interview will be carried out in English and your email/letter will give important information so you know what to expect and what you need to do next. This includes what you need to bring such as any additional documents.

British Passport Overseas Application Fees

At the time of writing, the Home Office fees for a British passport application submitted outside the UK are as follows:

Online applications fees:

• £101.00 for an Adult (16 and over) standard passport;
• £113.00 for an Adult or veteran Frequent Traveller Passport;
• £65.50 for a Child (under 16) standard passport;
• £77.50 for a Child Frequent Traveller Passport.

Postal applications fees:

• £112.50 for an Adult (16 and over) standard passport application;
• £124.50 for an Adult or veteran Frequent Traveller Passport;
• £77.00 for a Child (under 16) standard passport;
• £89.00 for a Child Frequent Traveller Passport.

These costs may differ depending on which country you are applying from.

Premium services and fast track service fees have not been published online for those applying outside the UK.

The fee is set in pounds sterling and payable at the time of applying. You will have to pay a courier fee to cover the cost of the return of your new passport and supporting documents.

In some countries where you have to apply in person, the courier fee will cover the cost

of forwarding your application to the UK for processing and the cost of returning the new passport to a local office, for you to collect.

Home Office Guidance also states:

Online applications: " by debit or credit card in pounds sterling (HM Passport Office accepts only Mastercard, Visa, Electron, Diners Club and JCB)"

Postal applications: "by debit or credit card mandate ( a mandate – authorisation – form )

In person applications: "by debit or credit card mandate except for countries where, due to local laws, customers must pay in cash". "Customers overseas will use local currency if paying in person. (The pounds sterling fee will be converted to the local currency amount at the exchange rate when the customer applies.)"

Processing Times for a British Passport Application Outside the UK

The processing time starts from the date that the HM Passport Office receives the initial documents requested at the time of your application.

There is no published processing time for British passport applications made outside the UK. We estimate that the processing time may take anywhere between 4 weeks to 24 weeks, depending on the country you are applying from. An estimation of the processing time should be given by the HM Passport Office if applying online.

If you are asked for further information or documents or invited for an identity interview this may prolong the process. You will need to send missing or additional documents within 6 weeks. If you do not send the documents in 6 weeks your application will be withdrawn and you will not be eligible for a refund.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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Airline blames ‘very confusing’ post-Brexit passport rules as passenger turned away from two flights

Exclusive: ‘it was devastating missing out on seeing my friends who live abroad’ says passenger turned away twice in one day at birmingham airport, article bookmarked.

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Three and a half years after post-Brexit passport rules took effect, Dutch airline KLM says it is still unsure what they actually mean.

The carrier – one of Europe ’s top airlines – insists the rules are “very confusing and interpreted differently depending on who we speak to”.

The revelation came after KLM turned away a passenger from two Birmingham- Amsterdam flights on the same day, even though she had a valid passport.

Jessica Zielinski, 30, arrived in good time for a 6am flight to Amsterdam on 24 November 2022. She was due to return three days later and had a passport valid for travel to anywhere in the European Union up to 18 December 2022.

Staff working for KLM denied her boarding, claiming her passport had “expired” a week earlier – nine years and nine months after issue.

This was incorrect. So Ms Zielinski, an engineer from Leamington Spa, spent the day trying to persuade the Dutch airline’s Amsterdam HQ to let her travel.

At one point, KLM asked her for an additional £200 to allow her on the evening flight.

When she was eventually given a new ticket and tried to check in for the later Amsterdam flight, she was turned away again.

KLM has refused any compensation for her ruined long weekend in the Dutch capital.

A spokesperson for the Amsterdam-based carrier said: “KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are not immigration specialists and rely on information from immigration liaison officers.

“It appears that this particular entry requirement rule into the EU is very confusing and interpreted differently depending on who we speak to.”

All other major carriers and the UK government have long accepted the rules as confirmed to The Independent by the European Commission :

• On the day of outbound travel to the EU, a British passport must not be more than 10 years old
• On the intended day of return, the passport must have at least three months remaining before the expiry date

Ms Zielinski, whose passport complied with both conditions, told The Independent : “I’m really upset, even 18 months later. It felt like a huge waste of finances and expenditure on this trip, and it was devastating missing out on seeing my friends who live abroad.

“But mostly, it had a knock to my confidence in flying and I have chosen to not take a holiday abroad since because of the way I was treated.”

The Dutch airline spokesperson said: “KLM will again seek advice from the immigration authorities.”

Having been wrongly denied boarding for two flights on the same day, Ms Zielinski appears entitled to £440 in compensation, together with a full refund plus lost costs incurred after KLM prevented her from boarding.

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Money blog: Savers have a rare opportunity - but it might be the last hurrah; major credit card cutting minimum repayments – and why that could cost you a lot

Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Leave a comment on any of the stories we're covering below.

Thursday 4 July 2024 08:36, UK

• Barclaycard cutting minimum repayments - but it could cost you a lot of money
• Great British mortgage divide - as people pay off all debt seven years earlier in some parts of country
• M&S to launch clothing repair service

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As house prices continue to rise, so too does the age at which young people can expect to own their own home. 

Unfortunately, even the ceiling of the term "young people" isn't far off from being challenged - with fresh research suggesting that the average age of a first-time buyer in the UK is 33 years and 8 months old, according to Mojo Mortgages . 

In comparison, in 1960, the average first-time buyer was 23 years old, according to separate research by Keepmoat Homes. 

Comparatively, however, the average age of a first-time buyer in 2014 was 32 years, 6 months old, according to the Office for National Statistics. 

During the same period, the average price of a house in the UK rose from around £188,000 (January 2014) to £282,000  ( January this year). 

Back to today's figures - and those in Wales are able to buy their homes the youngest, with the data suggesting the average first-time buyer there is 31 years old. 

Naturally, the older you buy a home, the later in life you'll pay off a mortgage. 

With an average mortgage length of 30 years, it seems the average UK first-time buyer isn't expected to be mortgage-free until they are 63 years and 8 months old.

And if you live in the capital, you'll surpass the current retirement age at 66 years, 8 months. 

Here's a full breakdown of how old first-time buyers are, the average mortgage length and age they can expect to be mortgage-free by region... 

A lot of people have had to renegotiate or extend their mortgages thanks to soaring interest rates in recent years - and the data from Mojo tells us a little about that too.

The study found extending your mortgage term by 10 years (to 35 years) will cost today's average first-time buyer an extra £110,640, which may impact later life planning and their pension.

Barclaycard is cutting the minimum amount its customers have to repay each month.

While the move may sound like good news on the surface, it could well mean you're in debt for longer and end up paying more interest. 

At the moment, most Barclaycard customers have a minimum repayment of 3.75% of their balance, 2.5% of their balance plus interest, or £5. 

But, from 22 July, that will change to the highest amount out of: 

• 1% of their balance
• 1% of their balance plus interest

This means if you are currently only paying the minimum on your card, you'll likely repay less each month. 

But, minimum amounts are designed to keep people in debt for as long as possible, and lowering them just makes this period even longer.

MoneySavingExpert says the change means it could now take a customer with a £1,000 debt an extra decade to pay it off, if they only pay the minimum amount.

On average, it says it will take 19 years and three months to clear and the interest will total £1,655. 

Founder of MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis says the change is "worryingly under the radar" and urged customers to check if their repayments are set to the minimum amount.

"Minimum repayments have always been credit card firms' secret weapon. Letting people repay little looks appealing – hence why Barclaycard says this is about 'flexibility'. Yet it takes flexibility to kick your own backside, and this will hurt some just as much," he said.

A Barclays spokesperson told Sky News: "We regularly review our products and from July, some Barclaycard customers will see changes to their minimum monthly payments, alongside adjustments to the APR.

"Customers will benefit from a reduction in their minimum monthly repayment and the vast majority have no change to APR, while some will receive a decrease.

"We have made these changes to increase flexibility for our customers and have been clear in our communications that paying more than the minimum can help customers clear their balance sooner and pay less interest." 

Marks and Spencer is to launch a clothing repair service next month.

The retail giant has teamed up with clothing repair and alterations experts SOJO, which was founded in 2021 by Josephine Philips, to give clothes "another life".

From August, M&S customers will be able to book a bespoke repair service through a new online hub, "M&S Fixed by SOJO".

Repairs will start from £5 and be carried out by SOJO's in-house repair team.

The items will then be returned directly to the customer's doorstep within seven to 10 days.  

Richard Price, managing director of clothing and home at M&S, said: "Through the launch of our repair service, we're making it even easier for customers to give their clothes another life, whether they are using our new repair service or long-standing clothes recycling scheme."

This week, Savings Champion research and development manager  Daniel Darragh gives  an overview of the savings market right now and reveals the best rates on offer across a range of accounts…

On the topic of savings rates, he says...

It is great to see that rates have remained steady throughout the year, despite frequent speculation over when the Bank of England would be decreasing the base rate. 

This means that, with inflation slowly dropping month on month (and finally hitting the Bank's target of 2% in May) there are now more accounts that beat inflation than ever before, meaning savers have a rare opportunity to really increase the purchasing power of their money.

That being said, the Bank of England has signalled that it will cut the base rate at some point in the year, and with the election result looming in the next few days, the decision may be taken sooner rather than later. 

Such a decrease will see borrowing and savings rates likely fall – so this may be the last hurrah for savers to get some of the best rates seen in years.

This explains why longer-term fixed rates are lower than shorter term – called an inverted curve, which indicates that we can expect interest rates to fall over the next few months and years. 

So, while locking your money away for, say, five years, may earn you a lower interest rate now than a one-year term could currently earn you, that might not be the case in a year's time when and if interest rates fall as predicted – meaning your hard-earned funds increase much more in value over a five-year term than they would in renewing one-year terms every year. 

That being said, the last few years have shown us how unpredictable and quickly economic conditions can turn!

Another interesting and important shift we have seen of late is that ISA rates, particularly on variable rate ISAs, have kept pace with, and in some cases outstripped, those of non-ISA accounts. 

As an example, the best non-current account linked, non-ISA easy access account is paying 5.07% via the Flagstone platform, versus the best non-current account linked ISA account paying 5.17% with Plum on new ISA funds. 

Of course, funding of ISA accounts is limited to the current limit of £20,000 per tax year, but this shift shows that ISAs have become increasingly popular again, as more savers find they are breaching their Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) with smaller and smaller amounts.

Hawksmoor is reportedly looking at funding options which could see the steak restaurant chain valued at around £100m.

Investment bank Stephens has been hired to run the process for the business, which is currently seeking opportunities to expand outside the UK.

Hawksmoor currently has three restaurants outside the UK, which are located in New York City, Chicago and Dublin. It has 10 other sites, including seven in London.

Private equity firm Graphite Capital owns 51% of Hawksmoor. If new investment comes in, co-founders Will Beckett and Huw Got are expected to retain their minority stake and continue to run the business.

Beckett said: "We've got a great relationship with Graphite, and together we are getting to know the US investment community in more depth. As that continues, an opportunity may emerge that we wish to explore together."

The Co-operative Bank is withdrawing its switching deal this week, leaving people just days to get £150 for free. 

New customers, who switch using the CASS system, can bag £75 upfront for opening a standard current account or an Everyday Extra account. 

They can then get paid £15 a month for five months if they also open a Regular Saver account. 

Anyone making the switch will receive the initial £75 within seven days of meeting all the qualifying criteria. 

This includes setting up two direct debits, depositing at least £1,000, making a minimum of 10 card transactions and registering for online or mobile banking. 

All of these tasks need to be completed within 30 days of making the switch. 

To qualify for the extra £75, you have to open a Regular Saver account before the last day of the month you receive the free cash incentive and deposit £50. 

The offer is due to be withdrawn on Friday 5 July.

The average monthly rent being asked outside London has hit a record high of £1,316 , according to Rightmove. 

The new record across Britain means that average advertised rents outside the capital are around 7% higher than a year earlier, the property website found. 

London has the highest rent prices in the country with an average of £2,652 per month, it said. 

The South East has the second highest at £1,836, which is a 6% rise since last year. 

The cheapest region is the North East, which typically costs £894 a month. 

Rightmove has urged the next government to accelerate housebuilding and incentivise landlords to invest in more homes for tenants. 

A budget supermarket chain has announced higher welfare standards for its chickens . 

Aldi has said it will introduce improved stocking density requirements for its fresh chicken suppliers, which will mean the birds have 20% more space than the industry standard. 

The extra space will let the chickens engage in "natural behaviours" such as stretching their wings, dust bathing and roaming, it said. 

"Animal welfare is of paramount importance to us," said Aldi's managing director of buying, Julie Ashfield.

"We're already one of the UK's largest providers of responsibly farmed chicken and we've been working hard with our suppliers to reduce stocking density to help us improve the living conditions of these animals even further." 

The move is due to be completed by October 2024. 

Younger adults find financial jargon harder to learn than a foreign language, according to new research.

A survey of 2,000 adults by Klarna revealed that 64% of Gen Z (people born from 1997 onwards) consider picking up basic foreign words easier than understanding terms such as "APR", "capital gains" and "compound interest".

When it came to millennials (people aged between 28 and 43 in 2024), 57% said learning a new language was harder.

Survey respondents said the top three most confusing finance terms were "AMC" (asset management company), "IFA" (independent financial adviser) and "adverse credit".

"AER" and "compound interest rate" also made the list of the jargon people find most baffling.

Klarna is now calling for the winner of Thursday's election to "prioritise financial inclusion" in the school curriculum.

A spokesperson for the buy now, pay later service said: "Whilst foreign languages of course open up opportunities and cultural experiences, financial inclusion is just as important."

We're aiming to help you bust the jargon of complex financial terms through our Basically... series. Here are just a few examples...

Greece has controversially introduced a six-day working week for some sectors. 

The legislation, which came into force at the beginning of July, aims to boost productivity and employment. 

Employees of private businesses that provide around-the-clock services will have the option of working an additional two hours per day or an extra eight-hour shift.

The change means a traditional 40-hour week could be extended to 48 hours per week for some companies. 

Food service and tourism workers are not included in the initiative.

The pro-business government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said the measure is both "worker-friendly" and "deeply growth-orientated". 

However, unions have criticised the move, saying it bucks a global trend of workforces exploring a shorter week. 

Giorgos Katsambekis, a lecturer in European and international politics at Loughborough University, told our US partner site CNBC it was a "a major step back" for a workforce that is already working the longest hours in the European Union.

Marks & Spencer is offering 20% off its new school uniforms to help parents get ready for the new school year.

The average cost of school uniform in England has dropped by 4% in 2024, according to a survey by The Schoolwear Association.

However, the average cost of compulsory secondary school uniform and sportswear items for a child starting secondary school in England is still £92.35 per pupil.

That can be a big expenditure, especially for families with multiple children.

M&S's discount excludes footwear, hosiery, underwear, outerwear, accessories, school bags and lunch boxes.

Asian-inspired eatery Itsu is looking at plans to double the number of its stores in the UK.

The chain is considering opening 80 new restaurants and has appointed Savills to advise on its expansion plans.

Itsu is looking to strengthen its foothold in London, where the majority of its restaurants are based, as well as growing its presence in new locations with flagship stores in big cities.

Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Belfast are among the UK cities currently without an Itsu store.

Kate Thompson, property director at Itsu, said: "At Itsu, we are focused on making the joy of delicious, health[ier], Asian-inspired food available to everyone across the UK and beyond.

"We look forward to working with Savills to help us deliver on our plan for growth."

A motoring research charity says a case should be made for raising driving test fees for learners who repeatedly fail.

The RAC Foundation said this would encourage prospective drivers to wait until they are ready to pass, easing the "unacceptable" backlog of tests in the UK.

Last month, AA Driving School said it obtained Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures suggesting the average waiting time for a test at the start of February was more than 18 weeks.

A ban on driving tests during COVID  lockdowns plus a driving examiner strike has led to a bottleneck of demand.

Before 2020, the average wait time was six weeks, from booking online to turning up at the test centre.

One way of addressing the issue, according to RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding, is to consider additional fees for those with several previous failures and even to offer a rebate to first-time passers.

"Forget about all the traffic jams out on the road, there is now an unacceptable amount of congestion in the test system with learners often waiting many months for a slot," he said.

"In part these jams are being caused by people who have failed multiple times and come back to take a test that might be their fourth, fifth or sixth attempt, or even greater."

Government figures show 93,204 practical car driving tests taken in the year to the end of March were at least the candidate's sixth attempt at passing.

Under the current pricing plan, practical driving tests cost £62 during weekday daytimes and £75 during evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

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