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My passport has expired or expires soon

Checked against GOV.UK on 9 October 2026

Quick answerYou cannot travel abroad on an expired UK passport — GOV.UK says you must renew it first. A passport that has not expired can still be too old or too close to expiry for your destination, so check both the issue date and the expiry date before you book.

⏱️ Leaving within 3 weeks? Look at the 1-week Fast Track service (£192 adult). The 1-day Premium service (£239.50) can renew an adult passport.

What to do now

Use our checker to see whether your passport meets the rule for your destination and travel dates.
If it has expired or fails the rule, renew it — £102 online or £115.50 by paper form.
Allow about 3 weeks for a standard renewal. Do not book travel until you have the new passport.
Once it arrives, update your bookings and any ESTA or eTA with the new passport number.

Not sure if your passport is valid for your trip? Check it against your destination's rule in seconds — 85 destinations covered.

Check my passport

Can I travel on an expired passport?

Not abroad. GOV.UK says you must renew your passport before you can travel if it has expired or does not have enough time left on it.

Ireland is a special case: British nationals are not legally required to show a passport there, but some airlines and ferry operators now accept only a valid passport as ID, so check with your carrier.

Not expired, but still not valid enough

Many countries need your passport to be valid for some time after you arrive or leave. For example, Dubai and Thailand need 6 months from arrival and Turkey needs 150 days.

For Schengen countries, your passport must be issued less than 10 years before you arrive and expire at least 3 months after you leave. If you renewed before 1 October 2018, your passport may have extra months added — but the issue date can still make it invalid for Europe.

Renewing your passport

Adult renewal: £102 online or £115.50 by paper form. Child renewal: £66.50 online or £80.
Time left on your old passport is not added to the new one.
Your new passport will have a different number.
If your old passport contains an unexpired visa, it will be returned to you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I travel on an expired UK passport?

No. GOV.UK says you must renew your passport before travelling abroad if it has expired.

How long before my passport expires should I renew?

It depends on where you are going. Some countries need 6 months left from arrival; Schengen countries need 3 months after you leave and an issue date less than 10 years before you arrive. Use our checker to work out your exact deadline.

Do I lose the months left on my old passport?

Yes. Time left on your old passport is not added to your new one.

Official sources

UK Passport Checker is an independent guide and is not part of HM Passport Office. Always apply through GOV.UK.