BRITS have been warned they MUST check their passports before Brexit and they will need at least six months left before they expire to travel to Europe.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said this morning regardless of whether the UK strikes a deal with the bloc, people could be stranded at the airport if they don't check the new rules.

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Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning, Mr Dowden repeated Boris Johnson's promise Britain would not agree an agreement "at any price".

He said under either of the two options, a trading relationship similar to Canada, or a so-called "Australian-style deal" under World Trade Organisation terms, the rules letting Brits travel freely into the EU would change.

Mr Dowden said: "In both those instances, it would require changes, we won't be a part of the single market, we wouldn't be part of the customs union.

"There will be different rules for people entering the EU.

"I would urge, for example, if your viewers are planning to travel to the EU after January 1, make sure they've made appropriate preparation and their passports are up to date with more than 6 months still running on them."

The PM warned Britain last night to "get ready for No Deal" after tense talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen were unable to bridge the gaps between the two sides, and set a final deadline of Sunday.

Mr Johnson said last night: “I will go to Brussels, I will go to Paris, I will go to Berlin, I will go to wherever to try to get a deal.

“But looking at where we are, I do think it’s vital that everyone now gets ready for that Australian option.”

What is an Australian-style deal?

• An Australian-style deal means leaving the EU without an agreement with the bloc in place
• Essentially, Australia don't have an agreement with the union, and trades with them on World Trade Organisation terms
• It means that both countries charge import and export tariffs on trading goods – which can push up the price of some items
• But they do have a series of side deals in place – agreeing to cooperate on a range of issues including trade, foreign policy, security, and humanitarian issues
• They also work together to allow Australia to take part in EU crisis management operations, on sharing passenger name records to fight crime and classified information, and to mutually recognise each other's qualifications
• Australia also has an agreement on trading wine with the EU – sealed in 2008
• The pair have pacts on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and scientific cooperation
• No Deal Brexit would mean cutting all other ties with the bloc – as we haven't yet agreed any side deals
• Today the EU proposed a set of agreements to keep planes flying, transport flowing, and for them to continue to have access to our fishing waters

Mr Johnson said that a last-minute rehash of EU demands to punish Brexit Britain for undercutting it had soured hopes of a deal.

He shared an anecdote with his colleagues that the EU had told him they saw the future relationship with the UK as like twins.

The PM said: “So if the EU decides to have a haircut then the UK is going to have a haircut or else face punishment.

"Or if the EU decides to buy an expensive handbag then the UK has to buy an expensive handbag, too, or else face tariffs.

“Clearly that is not the sensible way to proceed.”

The Culture Secretary's warning to travellers follows hot on the heels of the news Brits could be banned from European holidays in 2021 because of strict coronavirus rules.

The EU's strict Covid rules currently bar entry to most countries outside the bloc with high Covid rates.

It would mean even if Britain and the EU do strike a deal, millions could be stopped from entering European countries.

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