Last Updated on April 30, 2025 by Tracey Roberts
Topic: Are red passports (UK) still valid?
Wondering if your burgundy passport will sill be valid for travel now that the new British Passport has been rolled out? U.K.ABROAD explains everything you need to know.
Key Takeaways:
- Yes, the good news is that you may still travel with your old, burgundy passport if it is valid.
- You should always ensure that your passport has at least 6 months’ validity left. Additionally, your passport should not be older than 10 years, even if you still have more than 6 months of validity.
- You should also not make travel plans if your UK passport is currently being renewed as there could be unforeseen delays.
Burgundy passports are still allowed to be used if they are still valid for travel so you’ll need to check the expiry date and the rules regarding how much time you should have left on your passport to travel to your chosen destination.
www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
New Passport (British): Will my Burgundy passport still be valid for travel?
Yes, the good news is that you may still travel with your old, burgundy passport.
This, of course, comes with a few caveats and you should always ensure that your passport has at least 6 months’ validity left. Additionally, your passport should not be older than 10 years, even if you still have more than 6 months of validity.
U.K.ABROAD does not recommend making travel arrangements if you do not have at least 6 months of validity left on your current passport. You should also not make travel plans if your UK passport is currently being renewed as there could be unforeseen delays. Need to renew your British Passport from abroad? Click here to get your easy online renewal started.
New British Passport – Did you know?
Did you know that since the middle of 2020, the new style of British passports has been adopted? This means that any passport that is now issued by HM Passport Office will be in the new, dark blue colour and you will no longer have the old, burgundy-coloured passport once you have renewed yours.
In addition, new British passports will no longer feature the EU logo and will be similar in appearance to UK passports that were last issued in the 1920s (albeit, with a more modern look and feel).
This change to all new UK passports has come about due to Brexit and the fact that the United Kingdom has now left the EU.
One of the most common questions that we at U.K.ABROAD receive is if the old, red passports are still valid for travel.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about UK passports after Brexit and if there is anything that you need to do before traveling.
Traveling between the UK and Europe.
Travel for UK nationals to Europe is still relatively easy but there have been a few significant changes that everyone should note.
Because the United Kingdom has now left the EU, freedom of movement within Europe is no longer permitted. Instead, British citizens must now show border officials proof of a return ticket to the UK and may only holiday in Europe for up to 90 days at a time. This is applicable for all European countries and also includes the likes of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland.
When approaching the border of any European Union country, British citizens may no longer queue in the EU line and must join the “other nationals” queue.
Travel between Ireland, Jersey, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands remains unchanged and no visas are necessary for holidays to these locations.
Should a British citizen wish to conduct business, work or study in an EU country, they would need to apply for a business or study visa. This is the most significant change to EU travel as in the past, Brits could work and study freely anywhere in Europe.
In addition to some visa requirements, British nationals are no longer entitled to free healthcare in the EU and should now take out a travel policy that covers medical emergencies and accidents.
When the United Kingdom was still part of the EU, British mobile phone networks would continue to grant coverage in Europe but this has now come to an end and travellers should consider buying European SIM cards or including international roaming in their mobile phone contracts.
Looking to renew your British Passport in Australia? Click here to find out everything you need to know.
Do British citizens need a new passport? Is my red passport still valid?
Unless your British Passport is due for a renewal, you do not need to apply for a new one. Many have decided to renew in order to get the new blue passport, but this is not necessary. Your burgundy passport is still valid for travel until its listed expiry date.
Renewing your British Passport from the USA? Click here for everything you need to know.
Are all new UK passports blue?
Yes, all British passports issued since the middle of 2020 are now dark blue in colour. Although this is highly debated (many believe the colour is more black than it is blue).
Has the British passport renewal process changed since Brexit?
No, the British passport renewal process remains largely the same, even after Brexit.
If you have not renewed your passport for a few years, you should take note that passport renewals and applications from abroad are now done exclusively online and no physical, paper forms are involved.
- Depending on where you are located, it will take between four and six weeks for your passport to be processed.
- Your passport forms still need to be completed accurately and precisely, otherwise you run the risk of a rejection, resulting in a waste of time and money.
U.K.ABROAD adds much value to the British passport renewal process as we thoroughly check your forms before submission and ensure that your passport photos are compliant.
We also arrange for your old passport to be sent to HM Passport Office via a reliable registered courier service so that it arrives safely and in good time.
Keeping you updated every step of the way, you will have a dedicated specialist allocated to your case who is always there to answer any questions you may have and can provide you with expert advice. Click here for a comprehensive breakdown of the British Passport renewal requirements.
Need to renew your British Passport from abroad? Click here to get your easy online renewal started.
Are visas needed for travel into Europe?
It all depends on your reason for travel. If you want to travel to an EU country for a holiday, you will not need a visa (as long as you don’t stay for more than 90 days).
Any British citizen traveling to Europe for business or to study will need to apply for a visa.
It is also advisable to take out a travel insurance policy to cover you for emergency medical treatment and travel interruptions or cancellations.
How long is a UK passport valid for?
A UK passport is valid for 10 years. After that, it needs to be renewed. The process is relatively simple and can be done online.
Is my passport valid?
Your passport is valid if it is not expired and if it has been issued within the last 10 years. If your passport is expired or has been issued more than 10 years ago, you will need to renew it. You can renew your passport online with U.K.ABROAD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are red UK passports still valid?
Yes, your burgundy passport is still valid as long as it is not over 10 years old (for adults) or 5 years for children. It should also have at least 2 blank pages available.
Can I still use my burgundy passport?
Yes. As long as your burgundy passport is still valid, you can use it. You will not have to renew your passport because of the new design.
What is a valid UK passport?
The Expiry Date of your passport can be found on the data page of your passport book. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. You will also need to have at least 2 blank pages available. Your passport should not be damaged.
UK Passport Validity Check:
Check the expiration date on the first page of your British passport. Your passport is valid for 10 years from the date of issuance. Your Passport is valid for five years if you were under the age of 16 when you received it. Read more about your British passport’s expiry date here.
Contact U.K.ABROAD for fast & easy British passport applications, renewals or replacements.
Looking for more tips on UK passport renewal overseas? Click here to read our top tips.
About U.K.ABROAD
U.K.ABROAD is a British Passport service that helps British citizens with their British passports from abroad. We have a team of experts who are always on hand to answer any questions you may have. Our services include British Passport renewals, applications, or replacement of lost or stolen passports.
U.K.ABROAD was recommended to me by a friend who used their services, I was extremely pleased with the process of renewing my passport, which was easy and stress free, and I would like to thank
my case manager Elyse for her guidance and expert advice and constant updates throughout the renewal process, the courier was booked and the application forms and documents were picked up from my house and delivered to the passport agency in the UK as a tracked item, the new and old passport was delivered to my house by tracked courier, which made it a safe and secure delivery.I highly recommend the services of U.K.ABROAD to anyone who has to renew or apply for a passport
as it is a very stress free service, and the whole process took five weeks from sending off the application to receiving back both the new and old passports, what an excellent service. – John Malin (Read more Google verified reviews here)
Conclusion.
We hope this article has helped answer: “Can I still use my red passport when travelling?“. You can still travel with your old, burgundy passport as long as it is still valid. You will only need to renew your British Passport when it is set to expire within the next 6 months. Contact us below if you have any questions, our team of experts will be happy to assist you.
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Topic: Are red passports still valid?
