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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Seven key passport checks or you could risk being turned away at the airport
Passport rules for British travellers have changed in recent years, with more factors to consider to ensure a passport remains valid, particularly since the UK left the European Union Holidaymakers are being urged to ensure their passports are valid for travel to avoid potential delays or being denied boarding at the airport. Travel insurance experts at have named seven essential passport checks jet-setting Brits should carry out before heading on holiday this summer. Passport rules for British travellers have changed in recent years, with more factors to consider to ensure a passport remains valid, particularly since the UK left the European Union. When travelling to Europe, Brits need to make sure their passport was issued less than 10 years before the date of entry, and that it's valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the EU. This is crucial to remember because previously, UK passports could be issued with up to 10 years and nine months' validity. EU rules now only recognise the 10-year limit from the issue date. While UK travellers don't need a visa for a short stay of up to 90 days in Europe, those looking to go on longer trips need to check the entry requirements for the country they're visiting and obtain an appropriate travel permit. Avid travellers collecting stamps in their passports need to also ensure they have at least two blank passport pages remaining, otherwise the document could be seen as invalid. The experts also urge travellers to ensure their passports are in good physical condition, as damage to the cover, pages or the chip, could lead to delays or even refusal at the border. Parents travelling with children should be especially mindful, as a child's passport is only valid for five years. Ian Wilson, travel insurance expert and Managing Director at said: 'We urge holidaymakers to carry out essential passport checks now to avoid last-minute hassle and potentially being turned away at the airport. '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. 'If you're denied access to your flight for issues such as an invalid passport, your travel insurance is unlikely to protect you. That's why it's so important to double-check these things well in advance of your departure date.' Seven passport checks to carry out before travelling this year: Blank pages in a passport With Brits now getting stamped every time they travel through the EU, travel enthusiasts and those who hit the road for work may potentially run out of blank pages in their passports. All passport holders must have at least two blank passport pages when they travel, otherwise the document could be seen as invalid. Those who really like to travel frequently can opt for a jumbo passport that has 54 pages instead of a normal one with 34 pages. Expiry date Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival. In Europe, passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of departure and must have been issued less than 10 years ago. This is an important detail to remember as previously, British passports could be valid for 10 years and nine months, however with the new EU rules, they're only valid for 10 years from the issue date. Water damage If your passport has sustained water damage, you likely won't be able to use it as a valid travel document. While minor exposure to water such as slightly crinkled page edges shouldn't be an issue - further damage like smudged ink or discolouration can lead to delays or refusals at the border. Tears or rips in pages If any of your passport pages are torn or missing, your passport is considered damaged and will likely not be accepted at the border, especially if it affects the personal details page or any visa stamps. Laminate peeling If the laminate over the personal details page is lifting or peeling, it could raise suspicions of tampering. This is a common reason for passports being flagged or rejected so even if all the information is readable, it's best to get your passport replaced to prevent any issues. Visa Holidaymakers need to familiarise themselves with the entry requirements of the country they're travelling to, especially if it's a non-European destination, and acquire a travel visa if needed. When travelling to Europe, you don't need a visa if you're going for a shorter trip of up to 90 days. Child passport A child's passport is only valid for five years and often expire before parents realise. Parents should check the expiry dates early and renew them in good time to avoid delays or travel disruption.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
TRNSMT goers warned to avoid driving fines this weekend
Motorists driving to the festival are being urged to take extra precautions. TRNSMT goers planning to drive to the Glasgow festival this weekend are being warned to avoid fines. Motorists should take extra care behind the wheel in order to stay safe and prevent landing themselves in trouble with the law. Scotland's biggest festival begins at Glasgow Green tomorrow for the eighth time. Around 50,000 music fans are expected to attend each day and several may be arriving by car. Motoring experts at are warning anyone driving to the festival to avoid overloading cars, check tyre pressure and ensure they're not over the drink-drive limit when heading home. The designated drivers having to get behind the wheel after the festival are also being urged to get enough rest before driving home to ensure they're not driving while fatigued or still under the influence. Driving under the influence can lead to an unlimited fine, imprisonment and a driving ban. It's recommended that drivers bring a breathalyser to the festival to make sure they're below the legal limit. Experts believe the morning after is particularly dangerous as people assume sleep and a good breakfast will make them sober enough to drive, however this is not the case. Time is the only thing that will remove alcohol from the body and many people may still be over the legal limit to drive the next morning. Ian Wilson, Managing Director and car insurance expert at said: 'With many Brits planning to travel to and from festivals this summer, it's crucial to prioritise road safety to avoid turning a fun weekend into a costly or dangerous experience. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'With many festival-goers deciding to carpool to save money on fuel on a long journey, there's a higher risk of overloading the car without even realising it. The combined weight of extra passengers and everyone's luggage, tents and other camping equipment can quickly exceed the vehicle's maximum payload, which can seriously affect the car's handling and lead to fines. 'We also strongly recommend that anyone getting behind the wheel after a festival uses a personal breathalyser to be certain they're under the legal limit. 'Designated drivers should also consider delaying setting off if they're feeling too tired after the festival, as drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence.' Overloading vehicles can have a significant impact on road safety and is punishable by a fine of up to £300, as it could cause serious instability or loss of control. When loading the boot, it's also important to ensure that any items aren't blocking the back window, as this can cause obstructed visibility. While this is not illegal if the car has two fully functional wing mirrors, it can still compromise the view of the road behind and make reversing or changing lanes more dangerous. If an incident occurs and the driver is found not to have clear visibility from all windows, it could void the insurance and lead to penalty points and a fine of up to £1000.
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits call out 'horrendous' hotel behaviour but admit 'we find it funny'
British holidaymakers Mark and Karen Gregory, both 50, are frequent Benidorm-goers and usually opt to stay at apartments - but their accommodation often overlooks major hotel pools Holidaymakers at a Benidorm hotel have been filmed participating in a frantic "sunbed dash", where every available lounger is claimed within a staggering three minutes. Frequent Spain holidaymakers Mark and Karen Gregory, both 50, typically opt for apartment accommodations that often overlook major hotel pools, giving them a front-row seat to the morning mayhem. During their May trip, the couple from Swansea, Wales, captured multiple instances of sun-hungry Brits racing to secure the best sunbeds. Mark, who runs an online sales business, recounted: "We saw people queuing from first thing - the queues were horrendous! People were properly running in. "One hotel we did stay in, the pool opened at 8.30am and by 8.33am every bed had a towel on. I think it happens everywhere - just because hotels don't have as many beds as they do guests." Have you witnessed any hotel shenanigans? Email webtravel@ Article continues below The pair prefer to observe the chaos rather than participate. Mark added: "We don't partake at all, we just observe. I know it's a bugbear for a lot of tourists - but we just find it funny." Making sure you have a good spot by the pool or beach is serious business. And the stakes are high. Brits who lay out their towels to reserve a sunbed for hours at a time have been warned they could face hefty fines of up to €250 (approximately £210). The team at travel insurance comparison site have warned Brits heading on Spain holidays to think twice before laying out a towel on the beach, as it could actually land you facing some hefty extra charges. They explained: "In popular areas of Spain like Barcelona and Costa Blanca, tourists can now be fined €250 for reserving sunbeds, meaning waking up early to bag a spot for you and the family is no longer allowed. This rule was introduced following numerous complaints about sunbeds being reserved for hours with no one in sight." The rules were brought into force last year, in a bid to stop tourists from reserving spots on public beaches with towels and sunbeds, despite then not returning for hours a time - meaning other visitors had to make do with leftover space, causing issues such as fights breaking out, or crowding. The fines don't always stop poor behaviour, however. While having a late-night chinwag on their balcony in Magaluf, Spain, Mandy Boyd spotted some lads she thought were having a cheeky swim in the pool. But upon closer inspection, the 34-year-old realised the young men were trying to nab the best beds at 2am, despite the fact that the pool wasn't due to open until 9am the next day. The quartet of girls watched as the lads dragged out their sunloungers to try and secure prime spots. Mandy and her mates patiently waited on the balcony for the perfect moment to dash down and swipe the towels.
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Key passport checks Brits need to make before Spain, France and Greece holidays
Brits heading on holidays to hotspots in Spain, France, Greece, Portugal, Italy and other European hotspots need to make 4 key checks now ahead of summer Brits planning their summer holidays abroad will want to check their passports now - or risk being turned away at the airport. In recent years there have been plenty of changes to travel rules, most notably regarding what is considered a valid UK passport when flying to hotspots such as France, Greece, Spain, Portugal and more EU destinations. If a passport is deemed invalid, you won't be able to fly - not to mention that in most cases this can invalidate your travel insurance, meaning you could be left significantly out of pocket. While most people will check the expiry date on their travel document, since leaving Brexit the issue date also plays a part - and it's left plenty of UK travellers getting caught out at the airport. Now the insurance experts at have shared seven of the key passport checks you'll want to make now ahead of summer, to give yourself time to apply for a new passport if you need to. Check out the four top checks below... 1. Blank pages READ MORE: Boarding pass 4 letter codes explained including one all travellers want to get This little-known passport rule could easily be missed, but it's an important one. The insiders explain: "With Brits now getting stamped every time they travel through the EU, travel enthusiasts and those who travel for work may potentially run out of blank pages in their passports. All passport holders must have at least two blank passport pages when they travel, otherwise the document could be seen as invalid. Those travelling more frequently can opt for a jumbo passport that has 54 pages instead of a normal one with 34 pages." 2. The expiry date - and issue date Since Brexit, passport rules have changed for Brits heading to EU countries. Airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and British Airways have been issuing reminders for their passengers, but ultimately it's on the traveller to make sure their document is up to date. Now, passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of departure and must have been issued less than 10 years ago. The insurance experts add: "This is an important detail to remember as previously, British passports could be valid for 10 years and nine months, however with the new EU rules, they're only valid for 10 years from the issue date." The rules also apply if you're travelling to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican City or Switzerland. 3. Damage There are various ways a passport could be seen as damaged, so make sure to check your document thoroughly. Some of the common issues include water damage. The Tiger team added: "While minor exposure to water such as slightly crinkled page edges shouldn't be an issue, further damage like smudged ink or discolouration can lead to delays or refusals at the border." Meanwhile, tears or rips on any of the pages could mean your document is deemed invalid. Missing pages will also mean it's not accepted at border control, especially if it affects personal details pages or any visa stamps. Keep an eye out on laminate peeling or lifting too, as this could render your passport invalid because it could be flagged as at risk of tampering. The experts advised: "If the laminate over the personal details page is lifting or peeling, it could raise suspicions of tampering. This is a common reason for passports being flagged or rejected so even if all the information is readable, it's best to get your passport replaced to prevent any issues." 4. Check your child's passport As well as checking all of the above on your own passport, check children's passports too. Oh, and don't forget that a child's passport is only valid for five years. It's easy to forget this detail, but you'll want to make sure to check the expiry date and leave plenty of time to avoid delays!
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits in Greece warned of strict dress code with £771 fines for rule-breakers
Brits planning Greece summer holidays may want to double check the dress code rules before packing their bag - or risk being turned away at major hotspots Brits heading on Greece holidays this summer may want to double check their suitcase, due to a strict dress code rule that applies at some of the country's biggest hotspots. That's because there are certain types of footwear that have been banned at plenty of attractions so you could risk being turned away if you're out and about sightseeing - or even face a fine of around 900 euros (£771). Since 2009, high heels have been a no-go at the country's ancient monuments as part of preservation efforts, including huge tourist hotspots like the Acropolis in Athens. In fact, a statement on the iconic landmark's website explains: "Most types of shoes are allowed at the Acropolis, except for high heels that have been forbidden in 2009 at all of Greece's ancient monuments. The ban was put in in place due to the damage that the sharp soles were adding to Greece's ancient sites." While most people will don the likes of trainers or other comfortable shoes for a day of sightseeing, if you are someone who braves heels, it's worth noting that you won't be allowed to enter the attraction unless you have a change of shoes with you. As for the fines, these tend to be aimed at those who actively flout the rules - for example if someone changed back into heels once they'd entered the monuments. Travel insiders at insurance firm recently reminded Brits of the rules, adding: "In Greece, wearing high heels is prohibited at certain historic sites, including famous attractions like the Acropolis and the Epidaurus Theatre. This rule helps protect delicate surfaces from erosion and cracking. Sitting on ancient monuments is also discouraged out of respect for preservation efforts." It's not the only dress code rule that Brits need to be aware of this summer. For those planning holidays to the likes of Spain and Italy, you may want to pack an extra beach cover up. That's because certain holiday hotspots have rules in place that ban tourists from wearing swimwear away from the beach, with fines of up to €500 for rule-breakers. In Sorrento, Italy, for example the ban has been in place since 2022. The mayor at the time explained the crackdown came because too many tourists were walking around the town in bikinis or topless, and causing unease with locals. They added at the time: "The continuation of this situation, as well as causing discomfort and unease in the resident population and among visitors, could lead to a negative judgment on the quality of life in our town, with consequences for its image and for tourism." Of course if you're staying in a beachfront hotel or beach club and walking back in your swimwear from the shore to your room or cabana, you won't be fined while you're on property. The rules are to deter people who were leaving public beaches and then heading to restaurants or wandering around the shops without a cover-up.
