If you're hopping on any kind of flight abroad, you’ll need a passport. Even cruises and international rail lines often ask for one.
Get to know the rules around them – including what to do if yours is lost, stolen or damaged on your trip.
Can you travel without a passport?
It depends where you’re going. If you’re heading somewhere outside the UK, you’ll need your passport to travel.
You won’t be allowed into a country without it – so make sure it’s definitely packed!
If you live in the UK, you can travel to England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland without a passport, even if you’re going by plane. You can also travel to the Republic of Ireland without a passport.
But most airlines need you to have some form of official ID, whether that’s a passport or a driving license (provisional or full). This is in case they need to check your identity.
Make sure you check with the airline what kinds of ID they accept before flying with them.
If you’re travelling to the Faroe Islands, you should bring a passport as you’ll probably need to show it.
There are also a few places that don’t technically need passports from UK travellers, but airlines still usually ask for them. That includes:
- Guernsey and Jersey
- The Shetland Islands
- Orkney
- The Isle of Wight
So it’s best to get into the habit of taking your passport anyway.
What happens if my passport is lost or stolen on holiday?
Tell the local police as soon as you can, so they can file a police report for you.
You can then use this report to either get a replacement passport or a temporary travel document to get you home.
You should also tell the UK Home Office or UK Embassy that you’ve lost your passport.
Tell the right authorities quickly. This helps stop anyone misusing your passport, like criminals trying to sell it or steal your identity.
You can cancel your passport if it’s lost, stolen or damaged on the official GOV webpage.
If your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) was also stolen, you’ll need to apply for a replacement BRP visa to re-enter the UK.
What’s an Emergency Travel Document (ETD)?
In the UK, a temporary travel pass is known as an Emergency Travel Document (ETD).
You can use it instead of a passport if you need to get home quickly. This is useful if your passport is lost, stolen or damaged.
You can get an ETD if:
- you can’t renew or get your new passport before going home
- you're a British national
You can travel back home through a maximum of five countries with an ETD.
What happens if my passport gets damaged on holiday?
If your passport is damaged, it might mean you won’t be able to use it for your flight home.
That means you’ll need to get a replacement passport or some form of temporary travel document.
But don’t throw the passport away! Keep it with you until you get an official replacement.
You’ll need to explain how the damage happened before the UK government can give you a permanent new one.
Is my passport damaged enough to need a replacement?
Check if your passport is damaged enough before you decide what to do next.
A small scratch or scuff on your passport cover usually won’t stop you travelling.
But it probably won’t be accepted if:
- your photo ID and personal details page is damaged
- there are any loose or torn pages
- the laminate plastic is peeling
- there are any stains on it
- you've added decorative stickers
- there's any damage to the RFID or NFC chip (these let your passport be scanned at departure or arrival gates)
Will my travel insurer provide me with a new passport?
Your travel insurer should help cover you for:
- a lost, stolen or damaged passport
- extra accommodation or travel fees while you sort your passport
You might not be covered if:
- you need to cut your trip short because of a lost, stolen or damaged passport
- you lose or damage your passport while in your home country
- your passport’s expired before your trip and you need to renew it
Check out our guide on personal possessions and travel insurance to see what else is covered.
If you’ve got cover with us, don’t forget that limits and exclusions always apply when you claim.
Does everyone need a passport?
It isn’t illegal not to have a passport in the UK, but you can’t travel abroad without one.
Some other processes also ask for passport details, like some employee enrolment or work forms.
Do children need passports to travel?
Yes. People of all ages need a passport to go abroad.
How to apply for or renew your passport
If your passport is due to expire soon or you want to get a passport for the first time, you’ll need to renew or apply for one before you travel.
If you’re 18 or over, head to the official GOV webpage to renew your passport.
There is a separate page for applying for an adult passport for the first time, and another one for renewing or applying for a child’s passport.
Are passports free?
No. Passports aren’t free for adults or children in the UK.
The fee you pay for a new passport varies based on:
- the type of passport
- your age
- whether you apply online or by paper form
Check the official GOV passport fee webpage to see what you’ll need to pay.
If you were born on or before September 2nd, 1929, you can get a passport for free.
Will my insurer cover a passport lost at home?
If your passport is stolen from your home, your home insurer should cover you to get a replacement. Make sure you check this with them before you go on your trip.
But if you leave it unattended while in your home country but outside of your home, you can’t claim if it’s lost or stolen. That’s even if it happens in the days before you travel.
Will I be covered if my passport doesn’t arrive in time before a trip?
It’s unlikely that your travel insurer will cover cancellation costs if you need to call your trip off because your new passport hasn’t arrived in time.
Make sure you order it well in advance so that you have it in time to jet off.
Passports usually arrive within three weeks after being ordered. So, you should leave at least a month or so between ordering your passport and travelling.
