Brexit: Islanders urged to check passport date

Tuesday 18 September 2018

Islanders might have thought that their only post-Brexit passport problem was the fact that it will turn blue, but it’s now emerged that they could face problems holidaying in Europe as well.

If the UK fails to broker a Brexit deal, some Jersey travellers face being refused entry to European countries if they don’t renew their passports.

A warning from the External Relations Department published this afternoon read:

“If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the following new rules will apply from 30 March 2019: an adult passport must have been issued within 10 years of the holder’s arrival date and adult and child passports must be valid for 6 months from the date that the holder arrives in the Schengen area.”

The States have now created an online passport renewal date calculator for islanders to verify how long they will be valid for travel. 

Pictured: Jersey passports will turn blue after Brexit in 2019. (Home Office)

Minister for External Relations Ian Gorst commented: “It is important that we are prepared for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. We want to make sure that islanders are aware of how passport changes will affect them so that they can plan accordingly and renew their passports in plenty of time if needed. I would encourage all Islanders who have a concern about their validity of their passport for travel in Europe to use the calculator on our website.”

Those without a British or Jersey passport are urged to check that theirs are valid with their relative embassy before travelling.