The Home Office is advising people to renew their passports before November

You've worked out how to double your holiday allowance next year, you've booked some bargain flights thanks to the Emirates sale and you're well equipped for your getaway with the best sun cream and some chic oversized summer hats.

But before you put your out of office on, hop on the plane and prepare yourself for a stay in your swanky Airbnb, there's something you really need to consider. Your passport expiry date.

The Home Office is now advising that if you plan to travel to Europe after October 31st you should check when your passport expires. Currently your passport only needs to be valid for the length of stay, however going forward it'll need to be valid for at least six months from the dates of travel.

So if your passport expires in May 2020, you won't be able to use it after 1st November 2019. If it expires before May, you'll need to renew it as soon as possible.

The government has been texting British passport holders warning them to renew before November, but only those who put a mobile number on their passport application will receive the message so it's worth letting your family and friends know incase they haven't been informed.

If you're unsure whether you'll be affected, there is a free government tool to check here.

It was unveiled as part of the government's Get Ready For Brexit campaign and affects anyone with a passport from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey.

As it may take up to three weeks for your new passport to arrive it's advisable to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.