A father of three, Peter Holt, recounts his unexpected ordeal, which compelled him to traverse over 1,100 miles through six countries, spending £3,000, just to join his family

vacation due to an obscure passport regulation, informs BBC.

Peter Holt, aged 50, shares his story of being among three travelers denied boarding on a flight to Croatia from the UK. Despite his passport having an expiration date not until next year, he was barred from boarding due to its expiration status. This incident stemmed from a less known passport regulation.

Before the UK exited the EU, British passport holders with valid passports could travel freely within the EU, even if their passport expired shortly after their return. However, since 2021, UK passport holders traveling to EU countries are refused entry if their passport was issued a decade prior, regardless of the remaining validity.

Holt obtained his passport in July 2013 and was allowed to include the unexpired months, which extended the expiration to March 2024. Unfortunately, post-Brexit regulations altered this to July 2023, a fact Holt was unaware of.

Peter watched his family comprising his wife Claire, 46, and their three sons Rocky, Axel, and Hunter, take off for Croatia without him. He drove his Mini Cooper through six countries over two days, covering more than 1,100 miles, finally reuniting with his family.

Reflecting on the situation, Peter states that no one had informed him about the passport issue until he reached the airport. He highlights the discrepancy between his preparation for the trip, which was booked in February with no mention of passport issues, and the unfortunate incident at the boarding gate.

Driven by determination, he embarked on a journey spanning six countries, which cost him an additional £3,000 in expenses. Despite the unexpected detour and expenses, Holt mentions that the journey itself was remarkable, offering beautiful scenery and memorable moments.

The incident prompted Peter Holt to urge other travelers to check their passport expiration dates to avoid similar inconveniences. He expressed his wish for better communication from relevant authorities to ensure a smoother travel experience.

The airline company, easyJet, clarified that Holt's situation arose due to his passport's non-compliance with current validity rules. They emphasized the importance of travelers being aware of the specific requirements for their travel destinations and possessing valid documentation. Photo by Stratforder, Wikimedia commons.