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A number of changes have been made to passport rules since Brexit, and while most of us have got to grips with the basics, there are still things that catch holidaymakers out year after year.

From passport issue dates needing to be within ten years, to making sure you have at least three months validity on your passport when entering the EU, there are a few passport checks you should make before you book your holiday. Now is the best time to check your passport, as applying for a renewal at this time of year means you avoid the summer rush.

While you may have checked details such as the dates and ensured there's no physical damage to your passport, one thing many people don't check is how many blank pages they have remaining, especially given how much of the world is digital nowadays.

A standard UK passport has 34 pages, and when you pass through passport control, you usually get an entry and exit stamp. This is likely to be phased out in the near-future for holidaymakers visiting Europe due to the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) being implemented, but for now, you can assume most countries will still be adding their stamps.

Many countries have specific requirements about the number of blank pages you need in order for them to stamp your passport. For EU countries, one to two pages is usually sufficient, while countries such as South Africa require that you have two. Some destinations will also ask that the two blank pages be sequential, as one page will be used for the entry stamp, then one for the exit.

Some countries that require visas to enter still use stickers, which are affixed to blank pages, however, these are generally being phased out in favour of e-visas.

There are destinations that require four pages, but the record goes to Namibia, with reports that travellers can be asked to produce six blank pages when they arrive. Brits should check requirements for their destination when planning their travels.

It's worth noting that not all pages can be stamped. British passports have an 'observation page' at the end used for official notes. This may have information about the holders dual nationalities or alternate names, but most of the time it's blank. However, it doesn't count as a blank page as it can't be stamped.

So, what should holidaymakers do if they don't have enough pages? You'll need to renew your existing passport before your trip, as additional pages can't be added. This means paying the usual passport renewal fee, which for an adult passport is £94.50 according to the UK government website.

If you travel overseas a lot, it's worth opting for a 54-page frequent traveller passport next time you apply. It costs a bit more at £107.50, but can work out cheaper than renewing your passport in a few years simply because you've run out of pages.

Children under 16 can also get a frequent traveller passport for the lower price of £74.50. Frequent traveller passports for adults are also available when using the one-day premium or one-week fast track services, although they cost £235 or £191 respectively.

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