Brits should to check passport rules or risk being turned away at the border

Holidaymakers may face the risk of being denied entry at the border if they fail to double-check their passport. Travel regulations for trips within the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, or Liechtenstein could result in travellers being turned away at the border, even if their passport is technically still valid.

It's generally advised that passports should be renewed if they have less than three months until their expiry date, or if the passport is 10 years old or more from the day it was first issued. However, travellers should also factor in ample time for passport renewal as the process can take several weeks, particularly with the expected increase in people travelling abroad during the summer.

For those needing a quick passport renewal, a fast-track application is available, although this incurs an additional fee.

How to verify if your passport is valid for your holiday

If you're worried that your passport might not be accepted at the border of your destination country, you can easily check its validity on . Simply input the country you're travelling to and review the entry requirements.

For instance, Spain has the following rules:

• have an 'expiry date' at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area
• have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before the date you arrive - if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago

To renew your passport, you can collect a form from the Post Office or request one via phone, which will set you back £107. However, it's simpler and more cost-effective to renew online for £94.50.

You'll need a suitable photo, a debit or credit card, and your old passport if you have it. The process is straightforward, but make sure all your details are correct to prevent any delays.

The regulations around photos have become stricter and it needs to be digital for the application. These rules state that the photo must be:

• contain no other objects or people
• at least 50KB and no more than 10MB
• be taken against a plain light-coloured background
• unaltered by computer software
• clear and in focus
• at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
• not have 'red eye'
• be in clear contrast to the background
• in colour

There are also rules for how you should look in the photo. You must:

• have a plain expression and your mouth closed
• not have hair in front of your eyes
• not have any shadows on your face or behind you
• be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera
• have your eyes open and visible
• not have anything covering your face
• not have a head covering (unless it's for religious or medical reasons)

Your best option would be to visit a photo booth or have your picture taken at a shop, which typically costs about £10 - £15, and you'll receive a code to upload your passport-compliant photograph directly onto the form.