You may be aware that passports have changed since the UK left the European Union (EU), but you might be wondering if your old burgundy passport can still be used for travel.
As with anything concerning your passport, it is crucial that you check if it is fine to use before you arrive at the airport.
You may not be able to travel if your passport is considered damaged. Signs of damage can include missing pages, rips, stains on the pages, or the cover coming away. See our full guidance on damaged passports at: https://t.co/TNntAKeX8l pic.twitter.com/nNvQj7JXY8
— His Majesty’s Passport Office (@HM_Passport) September 3, 2024
Can you still use a burgundy passport in 2024?
Passports are now a deep blue in color, and the newest ones are the King Charles III passports following his coronation. But can the old burgundy ones still be used?
If you are going on holiday and are worried that your burgundy passport is not accepted anymore, there is no need to worry.
Burgundy passports are still allowed to be used if they are still valid for travel. You will 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.
If your passport still has ‘European Union’ on the cover, you can still use it, but only if it is valid for travel, according to the Government website.
You will probably find that when it is time to renew your passport next, you will be given a blue one. But you do not need to renew your passport unless it has expired or does not have enough time left for travel.
How to renew your passport
If your passport needs to be renewed, you can apply for a new one either by post or online.
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Renewing passports online is cheaper than filling out paper forms and sending them off via the post.
To renew your passport, you will need to find your old passport and any passports you might have from another country.
If you have a passport from another country, you will need to send either photocopies of each page, including blank ones, or send the physical passport.