Brexit: will I need a new passport?

Every other day, we share a reader question from our Brexit and Britons in France Help Guide. Get your copy of the guide via the link at the end of this article.

10 August 2020

A reader question from Connexion's Brexit Help Guide on the validity of ‘European’ British passports.

By Connexion Journalist

My British passport is still valid for several years but it says European Union on the cover – will this cause problems now due to Brexit?

No. The European Commission states that British passports issued before Brexit will remain valid for travel.

However, passports must have a minimum six months’ validity left if you are travelling into the Schengen area, including France, after the transition period, currently due to end on December 31, 2020. The UK has continued to issue burgundy passports but without the words ‘European Union’ after Brexit. It shortly plans to change to blue ones.

These will be made by Gemalto, a French-owned firm which has several factories around the world. They are expected to be made in Poland. The UK government said that, although the passports will be made abroad, they will be ‘personalised in the UK’ so all UK data stays in the country.

Get our Brexit and Britons in France 2020 Help Guide

In our comprehensive help guide, you'll find information on what Brexit means for British residents, second homeowners and visitors in France - now and after December 31, 2020. Recently updated following on from the delay of the new residence card website for Britons (now set to launch in October), this 64-page handbook outlines what you need to do as Britain leaves the EU. We answer your questions on whether second homeowners can spend more than 90 days in France after Brexit, would you be better covered for healthcare by becoming French, future guidance on pet vaccinations and more.