•  You must hold a valid passport, even for a day trip. Make sure you apply leaving plenty of time before you're due to travel. The UKPS recommends that you use the passport application Check & Send service.

•  Make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your trip.

•  fill out your next of kin's details in your passport

•  make a note of your passport number and date of issue, and keep it separately in a safe place.

Passports for children

With effect from 5 October 1998:

All children, including newborn babies, who are not already included on a valid British passport require their own valid passport for travel abroad.

Children who were included on a passport BEFORE 5 October 1998:

Children who are already included on a valid passport may continue to travel with the passport holder until whichever of the following occurs first:

•  the child reaches the age of 16

•  the passport on which the child is included expires

•  the passport on which the child is included is replaced or an amendment to it requires the issue of a new passport

Children aged 16 or over must have their own individual passport, even if the child is due to have their 16th birthday while abroad.