This rule may prevent you from traveling, so be sure to check it out.

British holidaymakers have been warned to double check the validity dates on their passports or their travel plans could be ruined.

The issue revolves around the “ten-year rule” whereby EU countries will not accept passports created ten years ago.

Before Brexit, British travelers could exchange their old passport for a new one and keep it for up to nine months.

However, starting in 2020, this grace period is no longer in effect, as some people have found out the hard way.

This was the case for Nathan Barnes, a 31-year-old paramedic from Norwich who was refused boarding on a flight to France.

nathan told bbc news He had checked in online and passed security and passport control before arriving at the airport, before being stopped by airline staff on his departure date and told he couldn't board.

“My passport was issued more than ten years ago,” he said. “They were very matter-of-fact about it, they just said 'Sorry, you can't get on the plane, get lost'.”

“I'm sad and really surprised. We had checked in online and thought it was fine.”

Unfortunately, since it was technically Nathan's own fault, he couldn't get a refund or any compensation.

Figures collected by the Home Office show that 32 million people have applied for passports which, if approved, will be valid for more than 10 years and therefore cannot be used when traveling to EU countries.

Since Brexit comes into force, travelers to all countries in the zone (including Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, but excluding Ireland) must have a passport issued no more than 10 years before the date of departure.

It must also be valid for three months after the planned return date.

It’s important to double-check your documents to avoid a situation where you pack your bags, head off to the airport excited for your journey, only to be turned away at the gate like Nathan from Norwich.

To make sure the conditions are absolutely clear, here’s a rundown of the rules for traveling to European countries with a British passport after Brexit.

• After Brexit, EU countries now no longer accept passports issued more than 10 years ago.

• Generally speaking, travelers traveling from the UK to EU countries will need a passport that is valid for at least three months from the date you plan to travel.

• If traveling outside the EU, how long your passport will take depends on the country you want to visit.

• Passports can be renewed online through the UK Passport Office or using a paper application form from some post offices.

• Renewing a passport from the UK can take up to three weeks, but may take longer.

• To issue a passport urgently in the UK, please make an appointment at your nearest passport office. Please allow up to one week to ship.

In a column published in independentTravel journalist Simon Calder said he believed “easily hundreds of people every day” were being turned away from airports because of the issue.

So, to avoid becoming one of the “hundreds a day”, be sure to pay attention to the above.

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