New passport, hand-luggage and travel insurance rules families need to know before you travel

There have been a lot of rule changes since Brexit and Covid, and not being aware of them could see you being turned away at the airport, or having items confiscated...

If you're lucky enough to be jetting away this half-term, or are currently in the planning stages for your summer hols, there are a range of new travel rules you must gen up on before you go.

Since Brexit, there have been passport changes put in place for travelers leaving the UK, as well the abolition of the European Health Insurance Card (the EHIC).

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Also many airlines have changed their policies on hand-luggage and cabin-bag sizes too - not to mention BIG security changes at London City Airport that are also due to come into place at Heathrow and Gatwick!

So as well as doing your passport, tickets, money mental check before you lock your front door behind you and head off into the sunshine, you also need to make sure that...

Check your passport is valid

Just because your passport is still 'in date' doesn't necessarily mean it will be valid for travel to all destinations.

Some countries in the Schengen Area (which includes popular holiday destinations like Portugal, Spain and Greece) require your passport to be no more than 10 years old from point of issue when you're travelling there, and be valid for 3 months (and sometimes 6) after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting.

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area consists of Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

10 weeks until summer 😎
If you're planning a summer holiday, check all your passports are valid for travel. #SummerHolidayReady #PassportReady pic.twitter.com/KqUygxSbTA

— His Majesty’s Passport Office (@HM_Passport) May 4, 2023

Make sure you have the new EHIC card, the GHIC

If you have one of the pre-Brexit European Health Insurance cards, it will remain valid until its expiry date.

If yours has expired, or you have never had one, before you travel to Europe, you should apply for a UK GHIC, which has now replaced the EHIC for those without an EU passport.

The GHIC will enable you access medical care in the European country you are in, either at a reduced rate or for free.

The cards are FREE and you need to apply via the Government's GHIC website. ONLY apply for your card this way, because there are many unofficial websites who will charge you a fee.

A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU.
If you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can continue to use it until it expires.

Learn more:
➡️ https://t.co/XjuvoVj2Eu pic.twitter.com/r2ibsfX9oX

— NHS Overseas Healthcare Services (@NHSBSA_OHS) May 25, 2023

Know what your airline allows as hand luggage!

Many airlines have changed their luggage policies over the last few years, so it is imperative that you check your airlines individual rules on sizes before turning up with what you think is an approved-size cabin bag!

Liquids in hand luggage

If you are travelling from London City Airport, you'll note some changes as you go through bag check.

Their new CT scanner security measures allow passengers to put their hand luggage bags through with electronic devices and liquids still in them, PLUS, your bottles and containers can now have up to 2 litres of liquid such as sun cream, drinks and toiletries in.

Note this is ONLY at London City at the mo, although Heathrow and Gatwick due to have the same systems in place shortly, too.

Today, London City Airport became the first major airport in the UK to deploy next generation security scanners, meaning passengers no longer need to remove laptops or liquids, and can carry 2 litres bottles in their hand luggage. Full story here: https://t.co/dmHPgiWBls pic.twitter.com/AeISrKvPbL

— London City Airport (@LondonCityAir) April 4, 2023

Passport applications

And if you have just suddenly realised you need to apply for a passport, do it now!

The Government website states you should 'allow up to 10 weeks from when we receive your old passport, any supporting documents, or confirmation of your identity details if needed'.

And if you are applying for a new or first passport, try not to make any of the 9 passport application mistakes we ALL make.

Also, if you are a separated parent, there are some mega-strict rules in place around passport applications and taking your kids out of the country which you MUST make yourself aware of .

And while you're in the holiday mood, don't forget to check out our brill guide to cutting the cost of your summer holidays, even when you are taking them at peak, high season times.

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