easyJet Urgent Warning 2025: New Passport Rules, EES Delays, and Travel Insurance Mandates

As millions of Brits prepare for the busiest holiday season on record, easyJet has issued an urgent advisory to passengers flying this winter. With over 24,600 flights scheduled across the festive period—a 10% increase from last year—the airline is sounding the alarm on a series of critical bureaucratic and logistical hurdles that could ground your holiday plans before you even reach the gate.+1

From new biometric entry systems in Europe to specific insurance mandates in emerging hotspots, the 2025 “Golden Rules” of travel have changed. Here is what every UK tourist needs to know to navigate the “Big Orange” rush.

The Passport “Double Check”: Condition and Expiry

The most common reason for denied boarding in late 2025 remains passport non-compliance. easyJet has specifically warned passengers to look past the expiration date and examine the physical state of their documents.

• The 10-Year Rule: Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter an EU country. If your passport was issued in 2015 but doesn’t expire until 2026 due to “rolled-over” months, it may still be invalid for EU entry.
• The 3-Month Buffer: Most destinations, including the Schengen Area and Morocco, require your passport to be valid for at least three months after your intended departure date.
• Physical Damage: Moroccan authorities, in particular, have been strictly denying entry to travelers with even minor tears, water damage, or unofficial markings on their passport pages.

Georgia’s New Insurance Mandate

For those exploring the trending “winter gem” of Georgia, easyJet has highlighted a critical new regulation effective as of late 2025. All tourists must now possess a valid health and accident insurance policy for the entire duration of their stay.

• Minimum Coverage: The policy must cover at least GEL 30,000 (approx. £8,500) in healthcare costs.
• Accessibility: You must be able to present this policy in either English or Georgian, in either physical or electronic form, upon landing. Failure to provide proof can result in immediate fines or entry refusal.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) Delays

The launch of the EU’s long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) in late 2024 has reached full operational capacity this winter. easyJet is warning travelers to Europe to prepare for significantly longer wait times at passport control.

Under the new rules, UK citizens (and other non-EU “third-country” nationals) must have their fingerprints scanned and a digital photo taken upon their first entry into the 29-country Schengen zone. While subsequent trips will be faster, the initial registration is adding “several minutes per passenger” to the queue, creating bottlenecks at major hubs like Palma, Alicante, and Faro.

Morocco and the AFCON Requirements

With Morocco hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from January to February 2026, temporary entry requirements are in place. While UK citizens are generally exempt from the electronic authorisation (ETAM) required for other nations, easyJet advises travellers to carry proof of accommodation and return flights.

Furthermore, easyJet is urging football fans to use the official Yalla App, which serves as both a Fan ID and a temporary entry permit for certain attendees.

The “Christmas Cracker” Exception

In a rare piece of good news for festive travelers, easyJet remains one of the few low-cost carriers to permit Christmas crackers on board. Unlike many competitors who have implemented total bans, easyJet allows two boxes of crackers per person, provided they are in their original retail packaging and stowed in checked luggage. Note: “Homemade” crackers and “party poppers” remain strictly prohibited across all UK aviation.

Humanizing the Rush: 3.5 Million Stories

For easyJet, this isn’t just about policy; it’s about the 3.5 million customers flying between December 22 and January 7. From families reuniting in Belfast to sun-seekers heading to Tenerife (the season’s #1 destination), the airline’s “Ultimate Checklist” is designed to ensure that the only drama you experience this Christmas is what’s on the TV.

“Tis the season for joy, not for being turned away at the gate because of a forgotten insurance PDF or a 10-year-old passport,” an easyJet spokesperson noted. “A five-minute check today saves a ruined holiday tomorrow.”

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