British travellers might not only need to find their passport, but also check how long it is still valid for before they travel to places like Spain this summer. Since Brexit, UK citizens have been counted as "third-country nationals" under the strict rules covering entry into the EU and Schengen movement area.

From October 2019, a new dark blue passport was phased into use, replacing the old burgundy version. People with the older version may need to check their passport date, as the travel document must have been issued within the last 10 years from their date of departure and be valid for at least three months beyond their planned return date.

The UK passport office previously used to add up to nine months of validity from an older passport to a new one, which could mean an older burgundy passport may be technically valid for the rest of the world but not for the EU.

According to the UK Government, so long as you have a valid passport then you do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply, you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period and you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons.

Other reasons for travel may include studying a short course, getting medical treatment, travelling for business for your UK employer, for example, to attend a business meeting or conference, or journalism or other media activities.

For anyone who has checked their older passport and found it is out of date, it is worth applying for a replacement now, as it takes around three weeks to get a new copy.

However, HM Passport Office states it may take longer than three weeks "if we need more information, or we need to interview you".

A standard 34-page adult (16 and over) passport costs £94.50 when applied for online and £107 if applied for using paper forms.

Those wishing to get their passport quicker than three weeks have to pay extra.

1 day premium

The earliest you can get an appointment is two days after you apply.

You’ll need to hand in your old passport at your appointment. Your new passport will be ready to collect from the passport office 4 hours after your appointment.

This service can only be used to renew an adult passport. It costs £222 (or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).

1 week fast track

The earliest you can get an appointment is the next day after you apply. Your new passport will be delivered to you by courier 1 week after your appointment.

You can use this service to: renew a passport, change personal details on your passport (for example your name, place of birth or gender), replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport, and get a child passport.

It costs £178 for an adult passport (or £191 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport) and £145 for a child passport (or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport)

For more information visit HM Passport Office website here.