Can you still use a red passport for travelling in 2025?

You’ll more than likely know that passports have changed since the UK left the European Union (EU), but you might wonder if your old red passport can still be used for travel.

As with anything concerning your passport, you must check that it’s fine to use before you arrive at the airport.

Knowing that your travel documents are correct in advance of your trip can help keep the process smooth and allow you to relax and look forward to your holiday.

If you applied with our standard service, you should get your passport within 3 weeks of us receiving your documents. It may take longer if we need more information, you're a first time applicant or you need an interview.

Track your application: https://t.co/OQKknszfV1 pic.twitter.com/q2Czch9Jb5

— His Majesty’s Passport Office (@HM_Passport) July 4, 2025

Can you still use a red passport in 2025?

UK passports are now a deep blue in colour, and the newest ones are the King Charles III passports following his coronation.

However, can the older deep-red ones still be used?

If you’re going on holiday and are worried that your burgundy passport isn’t accepted anymore, there’s no need to worry.

What's the best seat to book on a plane?

Red passports are still allowed to be used in 2025 if they remain valid for travel, so you’ll need to check the expiry date and the rules regarding how much time you should have left on your passport to travel to your chosen destination.

If your passport still has ‘European Union’ on the cover, you can still use it, but only if it’s valid for travel, according to the Government website.

UK passport renewal guide

You’ll probably find that when it’s time to renew your passport next, you’ll be given a blue one, but you don’t need to renew your passport unless yours has expired or it doesn’t have enough time left on it for travel.

How to renew your passport

If your passport needs to be renewed, you can apply for a new one either by post or online.

Recommended reading:

• Avoid 'daylight robbery' at airports with these money-saving tips from travellers

• What is the EU's hand luggage ban and how will it affect travel for Brits?

• Travel warning issued to all Brits with a GHIC or EHIC going abroad this year

Renewing passports online is cheaper than filling out paper forms and sending them off via the post.

To renew your passport, you’ll need to find your old one and any passports you might have from another country.

If you have a passport from another country, you’ll need to send either photocopies of each page, including blank ones, or send the physical passport.