Britain begins issuing new non-EU passports, despite Brexit delay

The UK has started issuing new British passports that have done away with reference to the European Union.

New non-EU passports

New non-EU passports Source: Twitter

Britain may have missed its March 29 target date for leaving the European Union, but British passports issued since then have already done away with references to the bloc.

"I was just surprised: We're still members of the EU," Susan Hindle Barone told the Press Association news agency.

She had previously tweeted a photo comparing her old and new passports.




According to the British interior ministry, individual passports could still bear the words "European Union" on the front cover, as old stocks are being used up.

Once Britain has left the EU, the old passports will no longer be issued.

Both passports are valid, the ministry said in a statement, adding that citizens cannot choose whether they would like the words included or not.

By the end of the year, all passports will revert from the current burgundy to dark blue, the colour of British passports before they became aligned with other EU member states.

Britain was supposed to leave the EU on March 29, but requested a delay after parliament failed to approve a divorce deal the British government had negotiated with Brussels to minimise disruptions.

At present, Britain's exit date is April 12, although EU member states are mulling a new extension request by British Prime Minister Theresa May. She has asked for a delay until June 30, while European Council President Donald Tusk has proposed a one-year flexible extension.




Share
2 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world