British passports are about to change forever

And it's all because of Brexit...

british passport
(Image credit: Rex)

And it's all because of Brexit...

The British passport is redesigned every five years, and with a Brexit in the pipeline, our documents will be changing significantly to move away from the current EU design.

The Home Office announced in December that following the UK’s departure from Europe, British passports issued after October 2019 will be reverting back to their original navy blue and gold design, replacing the current burgundy version, first introduced in 1988.

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And it’s not just the covers that are changing, the new passports will feature updated security features to protect against fraud and forgery that will supposedly make them some of the most secure travel documents in the world.

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‘I’m delighted today to be able to announce the new British passport, that will come into being in late 2019’ announced Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis. ‘We’re returning to that classic, iconic, British blue passport - dark blue with gold embossing.’

He continued: ‘I know for many people they are a valued travel companion of the past and people have fond memories, but the new one will also be the most technologically advanced and one of the most secure passports in the world, with new security measures in it, making sure that we keep our country safe.’

Do I need to renew my passport because of Brexit?

Although the new blue design will be introduced from October 2019 when the new passport contract begins, the phasing out period will last a while and British passport holders don’t need to do anything ahead of their current renewal date, when their passports will be changed to the new navy design.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.