British passport holders need to check their passports aren’t damaged before travelling (Image: GETTY)
Easter travellers risk being stranded if they neglect to check their passport’s condition, even while on holiday. A multitude of passport and travel rules have been revised in recent years, with the rollout of the Entry/Exit System throughout the EU amongst the most recent changes.
To pass successfully through automated barriers, holidaymakers need to ensure their passport remains intact, as neglecting this could compromise their flights. Even seemingly minor damage, which might happen during your trip, could stop the machines from reading your passport correctly and cause significant disruption to your travel plans.
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Ian Wilson, travel insurance expert and Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk, emphasised that aside from verifying expiry dates before setting off, there are six signs of damage that might make passports invalid.
Water damage
If your passport experiences water damage, it could cease to be accepted as a legitimate travel document. Minimal water contact, such as marginally bent page corners, may be acceptable.
Nevertheless, if ink has run or page colours have changed, this might lead to hold-ups or refusal of entry at border control, as it could indicate possible document interference. Stains on any pages are generally not permitted.
Tears
If passport pages suffer from tearing, ripping or go missing entirely, the document will be considered damaged and turned away at border control. When such damage affects any written details, visa stamps or the biographical page of your passport, this creates an even greater issue.
Laminate peeling
Some passports include laminate covering over the personal information page, intended to protect against water damage and tearing. However, when this laminate starts to lift or peel away, it can equally lead to complications.
This type of wear and tear might be viewed as signs of interference, even if the details underneath remain legible. The specialist cautions: « 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. »
Illegible details
HM Passport Office confirms that your passport will be categorised as damaged if any of your personal details become impossible to read. This can happen simply through information fading over the 10-year period that adult passports remain valid.
Covers
If your cover becomes ripped, torn or marked with stains, HM Passport Office will regard this as damage. The same rule applies if there are holes in the cover or if the cover becomes detached from your actual passport.
If your passport becomes damaged before you jet off on holiday or while you’re travelling overseas, the Passport Office’s online service is on hand to help you secure a replacement — and it’s generally the fastest way to get a new one sorted.
The standard charge currently stands at £94.50, although passport fees are due to rise from April 8, 2026. Those applying online will need a digital photo along with a credit or debit card, while a postal application remains available for anyone unable to use the digital platform.
For those in need of a passport at short notice, an expedited service is offered, though this comes at an additional cost. Travellers whose passports are damaged while they’re away can also arrange for their new document to be delivered directly to their location, making it easier to get home.
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