Get Ready For Brexit – One Million Texts Sent

Get ready for Brexit – one million texts sent reminding people to renew their passports

AROUND one million people have received a text message from the Home Office warning them about passport renewals as part of its ‘Get Ready for Brexit’ campaign.

The message alerts people to the preparations they need to make before October 31. Texts were sent to those who provided a mobile phone number when they last renewed their passports. Those who did not receive a text in the past two weeks should still check their passport is valid for travel after the start of November.

The rules for passports, driving permits and insurance, EHIC cards, pet travel and more may change after the UK leaves the EU, so the Home Office is urging people to act now.

In the event of a no-deal, in a post-Brexit world anybody going abroad will require passports less than 10 years old and with at least six months remaining on them. The process of renewing a passport can take three weeks and costs £75.50 (€86.70) if done online –£85 (€97.60) for a paper application.

Visit gov.uk/renew-adult-passport/renew to start the process, or visit a Post Office branch that offers a ‘check and send’ service. Pet passports may no longer be accepted, so four months’ forward planning is advised to arrange an official veterinary certificate for animal travel. Experts are also advising travellers to check any insurance they have, overseas driving permits, mobile phone charges. The Association of British Insurers recommends contacting an insurance provider at least four weeks before travel to check if a Green Card is required to drive in an EU country if the UK leaves without a deal.

To find out more, visit: postoffice.co.uk/identity/international-driving-permit

For details about travel in Europe post Brexit, visit gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit

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