travel in eu with expired passport

Passport Expiration Date: What are the Rules to Travel?

Can you travel with an expired passport or one that is about to? What is the 6 months passport rule? Here's what you should know about passport expiration date.

Thomas Busson

In a simple world, you’d be able to travel and stay abroad until you reach your passport expiration date.

But this isn’t a simple world.

You could be refused entry to a country even if your passport is valid and will still be valid by the end of your stay. That’s because a non-expired passport is not synonymous with passport validity.

So before getting ready with our travel packing checklist , you might want to look at your passport expiration date carefully and check the passport expiration rules of the country you’re heading to.

This guide contains everything you need to know about the validity of your precious travel document, including:

• Where to find the expiration date of your passport
• How to know if you can travel, considering this date of expiry
• When you should apply for passport renewal

How to Check Your Passport Expiration Date

Where is the expiry date on a passport.

Finding the expiration date on a passport is usually straightforward. It’s located on the data page, which is the first page of most passports.

On this page, you will also see the traveller’s picture, personal details such as nationality and date of birth.

More importantly in this situation, this page contains the date of issue and the date of expiration of your passport. It should be located on the bottom-right corner, next to the photograph.

As a rule of thumb, a passport is no longer valid 10 or 15 years after it was issued. BUT keep reading to know why you should take your passport expiration date with a grain of salt.

Can I check my passport expiration online?

This kind of personal service is not available in every country. You should check your country’s passport website to know if you can check your passport expiration date online.

However, to do so, you’ll need your passport number, which is indicated… on your passport. If you have your passport with you, there’s no need to check its expiration date online, since it’s already indicated on the first page!

The only reasons why you’d want to check this online is if this particular information has for some reason become illisible on the page or if you’ve lost your passport. In both cases, the validity of your passport is compromised and you must renew your passport ASAP.

Passport Expiration Rules: How Close to Passport Expiration Can I Travel?

As mentioned several times already, there is more to passport expiration than the date indicated on your passport. Each country has their own passport expiration rules and entry requirements.

What is the Six Months Rule for passports?

Perhaps the most common of those rules is the “Six Months Rules”, named so because the countries that enforce this rule require that your passport be valid 6 months past your travel date.

Why is that?

Well, passport expiration date is not the only thing that authorities take into account when considering your right to entry in their country: they also look at the duration of your stay.

Most countries let you stay for up to 3 months without a visa. That’s why they require at least 3 months validity on your passport past your departure date.

But a few countries, including in Europe, have expanded the passport validity requirement to 6 months. Those include:

• Burma (Myanmar)
• Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
• Czech Republic
• Ecuador (including Galápagos Islands)
• French Polynesia
• Netherlands
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Switzerland
• Timor-Leste (East Timor)
• Trinidad & Tobago
• United Arab Emirates

Can you travel with a passport that expires in 2 months?

It depends where you’re travelling to and from, but in general, it’s best to have a buffer of at least 6 months.

That being said, if you forgot to pay attention to the soon expiration of your passport, you may still have a chance to be allowed in the country if you have proof of your return date. For example, if you booked a return flight, it would help to show the immigration agent that you are indeed planning on leaving the country before your passport expires.

Similarly, if you can prove that you already have a booked appointment to renew your passport, they may let you in.

Can you travel with an expired passport?

You must be eager to reap the benefits of traveling but if you're traveling internationally, not a chance. A soon-to-expire passport is already going to put your trip in jeopardy - an expired one offers virtually no chance of safe departure.

Follow the guidelines formulated by the Department of State and local authorities in your country of destination to renew your passport before your trip, whether it is expired or about to.

You do NOT want to leave the decision to let you in up to border control.

Can you book a flight with an expired passport?

Yes, because the airline doesn’t request a passport at the time of booking. However, you’ll hit a wall when you have to check-in for your flight: whether you’re checking in online or at the airport, for international travel, the airline will request your passport details, including its expiration date.

Should your passport be expired, you won’t even be able to check-in. Don’t even think about lying about it: you’d only be postponing the inevitable and be denied boarding at the airport. And you won’t get a denied boarding compensation for that.

By the way, you won’t be allowed on a domestic flight with an expired passport either. Once it’s expired, the travel document is invalid.

Bottom line: you can’t take the plane with an expired passport. You need a new passport.

Passport Expiration Renewal: How Close to Expiration Can a Passport be Renewed?

As a rule of thumb, valid passports should be renewed about 8 months prior to expiration.

Why? Because it takes on average 2 months for passport applications to be processed. Since you want to always have a 6 months buffer to travel with some peace of mind (see Six Months Rule above), consider starting the passport renewal process 8 months before your passport expires.

What to do if I realize that my passport is about to expire at the last minute?

It depends on exactly how late this realization occurs. Most national authorities enable passport holders to renew their travel document fast by setting up emergency procedures for this kind of situation.

As you might expect, it will cost you more than the regular replacement of your passport.

How to renew an expired passport?

We have a step-by-step guide on precisely how to renew an expired passport .

You can do so either online, by mail, or in person. Our guide provides information on all these options, as well as the documents you’ll need to provide, including a valid passport photo .

Note that this is also valid if you’ve lost your passport .

What to do with your expired passport?

Even after receiving your new, valid passport, you want to be careful with that old, expired one.

First, know that even expired, your passport may serve as a proof of citizenship in most countries.

Then, and perhaps most importantly, your old passport may still contain valid visas. If that’s a case, when travelling, make sure that you carry both the valid passport and the expired one with this visa stamp.

Now, if your old expired passport no longer holds any value, don’t simply go ahead and put it in the trash. To dispose of your passport, shred or burn it first. This will prevent ill-intentioned people from making fraudulent use of it.

Passport Valid Check: How long is a passport valid?

How long is a passport valid in the us.

In the US, adult passports are valid for 10 years starting from the date of delivery, while a child passport expires after 5 years.

How long is a passport valid in the UK?

Similarly to the US, UK passports are valid for a period of 10 years if you were aged 16 or more at the time of delivery, and only 5 years if you were 15 or less.

Is my passport valid after Brexit?

UK passport holders will still be able to travel to Europe despite the No Deal Brexit. At least until the end of 2020, they’ll be allowed to use the “EU passport” lines at border control. However, UK passports must be valid during the entirety of their trip.

After the end of the year, Brits will need to conform with the Six Months Rule that is enforced in the Schengen Area countries, just like all other non-EU countries. On the bright side, flight compensation rules after Brexit should remain the same.

How long is a passport valid in each country?

Below, you will find an extensive list of countries and how long a passport is valid for them.

One more thing to keep in mind, though: when travelling to specific destinations, not only should your passport not be expired or have at least six months before it does; it should also have several blank pages. That’s to allow for a visa to be printed.

So make sure that you have enough free pages to accommodate a stamp from the entry and exit immigration.

Passport validity in Africa

ALGERIA: 10 years BENIN: 6 years EGYPT: 7 years ERITREA: 5 years ETHIOPIA: 5 years GHANA: 10 years KENYA: 10 years LIBYA: 10 years MOROCCO: 5 years NAMIBIA: 5 years SENEGAL: 5 years SOUTH AFRICA: 10 years SUDAN: 5 years TANZANIA: 10 years TOGOLESE: 5 years TUNISIA: 5 years UGANDA: 10 years

Passport validity in Asia

AFGHANISTAN: 5 years ARMENIA: 10 years AZERBAIJAN: 10 years BAHRAIN: 10 years BANGLADESH: 10 years BRUNEI: 5 years CAMBODIA: 10 years CHINA: 10 years CYPRUS: 10 years HONG KONG: 10 years INDIA: 10 years INDONESIA: 5 years IRAN: 5 years IRAQ: 8 years ISRAEL: 5 or 10 years JAPAN: 5 or 10 years KAZAKHSTAN: 10 years KUWAIT: 5 or 10 years LAOS: 10 years LEBANON: 5 or 10 years MACAO: 10 years MALAYSIA: 5 years MALDIVES: 5 years NEPAL: 10 years PAKISTAN: 5 or 10 years THE PHILIPPINES: 10 years SAUDI ARABIA: 10 years SINGAPORE: 5 years SOUTH KOREA: 10 years SRI LANKA: 10 years TAIWAN: 5 or 10 years TUNISIA: 5 years THAILAND: 5 years TURKEY: 10 years VIETNAM: 10 years YEMENI: 6 years

Passport validity in Europe

ALBANIA: 10 years ANDORRA: 10 years AUSTRIA: 10 years BELARUS: 10 years BELGIUM: 10 years BULGARIA: 5 or 10 years CROATIA: 6 or 10 years CZECH REPUBLIC: 10 years CYPRUS: 10 years DENMARK: 10 years ESTONIA: 10 years FINLAND: 5 years FRANCE: 5 years GERMANY: 10 years GREECE: 5 years GUERNSEY: 10 years HUNGARY: 10 years ICELAND: 10 years IRELAND: 10 years ITALY: 10 years LATVIA: 10 years LIECHTENSTEIN: 10 years LITHUANIA: 10 years LUXEMBOURG: 5 years MALTA: 10 years MOLDOVA: 10 years NETHERLANDS: 10 years NORTH MACEDONIA: 10 years NORWAY: 10 years POLAND: 10 years PORTUGAL: 5 years ROMANIA: 10 years RUSSIA: 10 years SERBIA: 10 years SLOVAKIA: 10 years SPAIN: 10 years SWITZERLAND: 10 years UKRAINE: 10 years UNITED KINGDOM: 10 years

Passport validity in North and Central America

ANGUILLA: 10 years ANTIGUA & BARBUDA: 10 years BARBADOS: 10 years CANADA: 5 or 10 years CAYMAN ISLANDS: 10 years COSTA RICA: 6 years CUBA: 6 years DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: 6 or 10 years GRENADA: 5 years JAMAICA: 5 or 10 years MEXICO: 1 3, 6 or 10 years PANAMA: 5 years ST.KITTS AND NEVIS: 10 years TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: 10 years UNITED STATES: 10 years

Passport validity in South America

ARGENTINA: 10 years BRAZIL: 10 years CHILE: 5 years COLOMBIA: 10 years ECUADOR: 6 years COSTA RICA: 6 years GUYANA: 5 years PERU: 2 or 5 years URUGUAY: 10 years VENEZUELA: 5 years

Passport validity in Oceania

AUSTRALIA: 10 years NEW ZEALAND: 10 years PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 5 years TONGA: 10 years TUVALUAN: 5 years

I hope this was helpful to you!

Don't forget to claim compensation if your flight is disrupted.

Can I travel to Europe with an expired passport?

📌 Read in / Lire en : Français ( French )

The holidays are coming. You have rented a small villa in Greece with friends. There is sun, swimming in turquoise water, and discovering the local heritage on the agenda. Your luggage is ready. Everything seems fine. But a few days before departure, while you are gathering your travel documents, you look at your passport to discover, bewildered, that it has expired. What should you do? Can you travel to Europe with an expired passport? We will explore this question here.

Stays in the European Union are governed by  Directive 2004/38/EC , of ​​April 29, 2004. It is very clear: “Union citizens should have the right to reside in the Member State of reception for a period not exceeding three months without being subject to any condition or  to any formality other than the obligation to possess a valid identity card or passport , without prejudice to more favourable treatment applicable to job seekers, according to the case law of the Court of Justice.”

But another, much older text directed a passenger and her son be compensated after a company refused her boarding for a flight to Greece. The Court of Cassation ruled in their favour based on  the 1957 Council of Europe treaty  which stipulates that nationals of signatory States “may enter the territory of others and leave it by all borders under cover of the ‘one of the documents listed in the annex’. However, “according to the appendix to the European Agreement on the rules governing the movement of persons between the member countries of the  Council of Europe [which moreover includes more countries than the EU]  , any French person can go to a Member State with a national passport of the French Republic valid or expired for less than five years “, stated  the judgment .

There are the same deadlines for Austrians or Belgians. For Germany, again according to the appendix to the text, it is possible to travel to other member countries of the Council of Europe with a passport that expired up to one year ago. For details for each state, go  to this page .

As you can see, in the event of a dispute, the law can be on your side. But we still advise you don’t attempt to travel to Europe with an expired passport: it is better to go on vacation with peace of mind and a valid document than to bet on possible compensation. The onboard staff and other customs officers are not lawyers, so you will likely be refused entry into the country.

French identity cards and periods of validity: find out about your destination

A short word, to finish, on the national identity card, which is valid (just like the passport) for traveling within the Schengen area. On January 1, 2014, their period of validity was increased from 10 to 15 years for adults, only this extension was not recognized everywhere in Europe.

Few countries, in fact, officially recognize it: these include Bulgaria , Croatia , Switzerland , Hungary , Greece , Italy , Latvia , Iceland , Luxembourg, and Malta . Many others have not commented. Finally, some do not recognize it at all: this is the case in  Belgium ,  Lithuania,  and  Norway .

Destination(s) Europe

Contenu rédigé par les blogueurs de la rédaction | Article by the Editorial Staff

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In Europe's Schengen area , your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of your entry. At present, the Schengen area includes most European Union (EU) countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland.

If you are transiting through Canada or the United Kingdom (UK) enroute to the Schengen area : your passport must be valid for at least six months, even though Canada and the UK do not themselves have the six-month rule. If your passport will expire within six months, airlines may not let you board your onward flight to Europe.

Traveling in Europe

If you plan to travel in Europe, you need to know about the Schengen Borders Agreement, which allows you to move freely within a number of countries without border checks. Tourists, exchange students, and people visiting for business from certain countries, like the United States, can travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days. The Schengen area includes most EU countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland. It also includes four non-EU countries: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Before you travel to the Schengen area, we recommend you do the following:

• Check the expiration date on your passport book carefully before traveling to Europe. Ensure your passport book is valid for at least six months when you enter the Schengen area. This is especially important for minors under age 16 as their passports are only valid for five years. In contrast, U.S. citizen adults aged 16 and older receive passports that are valid for 10 years.
• Always carry your passport book with you when traveling to another country in the Schengen area. Even if there is no border check at that time, officials may reinstate border controls without notice.
• Be prepared to explain your purpose of travel.
• Be prepared to provide proof of sufficient financial resources for the visit.
• Comply with other entry requirements for each country you will visit or transit.

On our Country Information pages , you can find passport validity requirements and other important information for your destination country. If your passport does not meet the Schengen requirements, you may be:

• Refused boarding by the airline at your point of origin or while transferring planes.
• Denied entry when you arrive in the Schengen area, regardless of how long you will stay.

An immigration official will determine if you qualify for visa-free entry to the Schengen area when you first cross any external Schengen border. You will have to present your passport at that time. The officer may deny your entry if you do not qualify.

You should also check passport validity requirements if traveling onward from the Schengen area to a country outside the Schengen area. You can find this information in our Country Information pages.

HOW LONG CAN I REMAIN?

• With a valid U.S. passport book, you can stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area for tourism or business during any 180-day period. You must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area.
• If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time and apply for a visa.

Countries in the Schengen area may reinstate temporary internal or external border control without notice. U.S. citizens should carry their U.S. passport book at all times when entering or leaving the Schengen area. They should also bring it when traveling between Schengen countries.

How can the U.S. government help me if border officials do not let me enter?

• We can give you the contact information of foreign embassies of the countries you wish to visit.
• We can provide information about hiring an English-speaking foreign attorney overseas if you choose to do so.
• Note: We cannot influence a foreign government’s decision about allowing you to enter. We cannot intervene in another country’s criminal or administrative procedures.

What countries are members of the Schengen Borders Agreement?

Click on the country name for more information.

Bulgaria (entering in March 2024)

Czech Republic

Liechtenstein

Netherlands

Romania (entering in March 2024)

Switzerland

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Can You Fly with an Expired Passport?

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It's not likely you can travel with an expired passport, as a passport is generally required for international air travel. It also doubles as a valid form of ID for domestic U.S. travel.

If you realize your passport has expired and you have immediate travel plans, you'll need to check the rules for the country you're visiting and quickly submit an application for a new passport.

Learn why and when you need a passport to travel, how to renew your passport and what the rules are for traveling with an expired passport.

Why do you need a passport to travel?

A passport is a standardized form of government identification for those traveling internationally, though it can often be used for identification purposes domestically, too.

Passports ensure that travelers are who they say they are when entering or leaving a country or in other situations when identification is necessary. In most circumstances, everyone entering or leaving a country by land, sea or air needs to have their own passport, even if they’re a child, toddler or baby.

Generally, U.S. passports must be valid for six months beyond the traveler’s departure date to enter another country. However, some countries allow entry to travelers with only three months’ validity on their passport, and others have different regulations altogether. It’s important to verify the country’s rules where you’re planning to travel to ensure you can enter.

» Learn more: Do you need a passport to book an international flight?

How do you renew a passport?

Adult passports are valid for 10 years, and travelers can renew them by submitting an application to the U.S. Department of State.

If your passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago, you must apply for a new one. Child passports for those under 16 expire after five years and cannot be renewed.

To renew your passport, follow these steps:

Complete a passport renewal application ( Form DS-82 ).

Get passport photos taken.

Mail in your completed application and photos along with your current or expired passport and the required fees.

Currently, it takes up to 10 weeks to get a new passport or renew an existing one. However, there are ways to reduce the time it takes to get a new passport if you need it faster.

Expedited processing . By choosing expedited processing for an additional $60, your passport can be issued in three to five weeks.

Expedited delivery . Applicants can pay $19.53 for expedited delivery from the U.S. Postal Service. This upgrade delivers your new passport to you one to two days after it is mailed.

Urgent travel . This service is available by appointment at a passport agency and is for those with urgent travel plans within the next 14 days (or five days if you’ve already applied by mail). There is no fee for the appointment but spots are limited.

Emergency . In life-or-death situations that require travel within 72 hours, you may be able to obtain a passport the same day or the next day.

Passport expeditors or courier companies are another option to get your passport more quickly. These private, third-party companies are allowed to submit expedited passport applications on behalf of their customers. These agencies typically charge additional fees on top of the standard application and expedited service fees.

» Learn more: How much does a passport cost?

Can you fly with an expired passport?

Typically, travelers are required to have valid identification when flying. However, the rules can vary depending on whether you’re flying domestically or internationally.

Can you travel domestically with an expired passport?

A passport isn’t required for U.S. citizens traveling within the United States. If you’re flying within the U.S. and your passport has expired, it’s best to use another form of government identification. Forms of ID that are accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the airlines include state-issued driver’s licenses, state-issued ID cards and military ID.

If you’re traveling with an expired passport and don’t have one of the forms of ID listed above, you may still be able to fly if your passport hasn’t expired more than 12 months ago. However, you may be asked to show secondary forms of identification to prove your identity.

Can you fly with an expired passport to another country?

Traveling internationally requires a valid passport to depart the U.S. and/or return from a foreign country.

There are a few exceptions for passengers traveling within the Western Hemisphere. These include a NEXUS card when returning from Canada, a Merchant Mariner Document when traveling on official business or a Military Identification Card when traveling on official orders.

Traveling with expired passport rules during COVID

During the pandemic, the U.S. government issued a temporary order allowing those with an expired passport to fly home to the U.S. This rule granted travelers with passports expiring on or after Jan. 1, 2020, to return directly to the U.S. until June 30, 2022. This exception has since expired and is no longer valid.

» Learn more: Cruises where you don’t need a passport

What if your passport expired and you need to travel tomorrow?

If you’re traveling within three business days because of a life-or-death emergency of one of your immediate family members, you may be able to get a new passport the same day . Here’s how to get a passport quickly for next-day travel:

Get documentation of the emergency. This could be a death certificate, letter from a mortuary or a letter from a hospital explaining your family member’s condition. It must be translated by a professional if it’s not in English.

Obtain proof of your upcoming travel, such as an airline ticket or itinerary.

Complete a passport application and get passport photos taken.

Call the National Passport Information Center at (877) 487-2778 during business hours or (202) 647-4000 during non-business hours.

Explain your situation and why you need to travel right away.

If you qualify, the center will assist you in making an appointment at an eligible passport agency. Note that an appointment is not guaranteed.

Bring proof of the emergency and travel plans, your passport application and payment for all necessary fees to your appointment.

» Learn more: Times when you should renew your passport

Flying with an expired passport recapped

Travelers must have a valid passport when traveling internationally. However, if your passport has expired, you have a few options to get a new passport faster than the standard seven to 10 weeks it currently takes. The fees and process required will depend on how quickly you need your new passport.

In life-or-death situations, you may be able to get a new passport the same day if your international travel is within three business days.

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On a similar note...

General information on travelling in the EU

EU citizens are entitled to travel to any other EU country without any special formalities. In order to travel to other EU countries, travellers simply have to possess and carry a valid passport or a valid ID card .

At least one of these two documents should be carried at all times, as checks may be carried out at internal borders for reasons of public order or national security. A driver's licence does not count as a travel document or as proof of identity.

In general, Austrian citizens need a valid passport or identity card to leave the country and to enter it (Section 2 paragraph 1 Passgesetz 1992).

Although for certain countries a passport which has expired not more than five years ago may still be used, it is strongly recommended that you use a valid passport . Generally speaking, the entry requirements of the country to/through which you are travelling should be observed, as well as the terms and conditions of your chosen carrier ( e.g. airline).

In addition, on trips by air, certain airlines' conditions of carriage may prohibit passengers from flying with an expired passport.

Another important point to note is that children must also carry their own passport or ID card during the journey.

For children (up to the age of 18) travelling to Austria without their legal guardian , you should provide (in addition to passport) an informal declaration of consent for foreign travel. This declaration should be accompanied by a copy of the birth certificate of the child and a copy of the passport of their legal guardian. If the child's surname is different from that of their guardian, it is also recommended that they take a copy of their parents' marriage certificate . You will find a template for a declaration of consent on the website of → ÖAMTC or → ARBÖ . Additional requirements may apply when entering other EU countries .

In European Union countries, no residence permit is required for stays of up to three months.

However, registration is necessary in most cases. Usually, these registration formalities are done automatically in hotels, guest houses, apartments, etc. by filling in a form upon arrival.

For stays of more than three months, it is usually necessary to submit a declaration of residency.

In Austria , guests in tourist accommodation ( e.g. hotels, guest houses, B&Bs , privately rented rooms) must register within 24 hours of their arrival by entering their details in the register of guests.

Further links

• Travelling to and staying in Austria (→ BMEIA )
• Information on entry requirements for Austria(→ BMI ) German text
• Travelling with children and young people (→ BMEIA )
• Travelling in the EU (→ EC )
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• Travel documents for EU nationals (→ YourEurope)
• Travel documents for non- EU familiy members (→ Your Europe)
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• Documents for minors travelling in the EU (→ YourEurope)
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Guide to the 6-month passport rule — what is it?

Editor's Note

It may sound trivial, but one of the best rules you can follow as an international traveler is to remember to check your passport validity before you book flights and hotels.

Why? Because the requirements for entry differ from country to country. In the midst of planning my 2024 travel, I realized my U.S. passport expires in April, which could mess with my plans abroad.

Thankfully, I use a travel checklist to avoid disruptions to my travel itinerary.

I immediately started the passport renewal process online and had my photo taken at my local Walgreens — although you can DIY your passport photo if you prefer — so I could send out my application as quickly as possible. I also opted to expedite the processing time for an additional $60 fee and sent my application on its way.

If you're also in the middle of planning 2024 travel or simply want to know the ideal time to begin getting ready to renew your passport, the TPG team has you covered.

We collected information from the U.S. Department of State website and the United Kingdom's government website to create a one-stop cheat sheet examining a range of nations that typically require you to have a passport that lasts longer than your trip — whether by one, three or six months.

Note that certain countries deviate from the standard six-month requirement. These findings are also only related to passport validity dates — we're not covering visa requirements here. Those can vary depending on where you're going and where you're coming from.

Schengen countries in Europe

Many European countries are signers of the Schengen Agreement . As a result, they follow the 3+3 Rule, meaning your passport must be valid for three months beyond your three-month entry visa or for a total of six months, regardless of the duration of your initial stay.

While some Schengen countries only require passports to be valid for three months beyond your intended stay, others assume you may stay the full 90 days of your visa validity — thus the six-month time period.

The signers of the Schengen Agreement are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Bulgaria and Romania will join the group March 31, 2024.

The countries listed below abide by the usual six months of passport validity unless otherwise noted.

Non-Schengen countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East

Abide by the usual 6 months of passport validity.

• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• New Caledonia
• North Korea
• Saudi Arabia
• Turkmenistan
• Turkey (British passports must be valid for at least 150 days from the date you arrive in the country)
• United Arab Emirates
• West Bank/Gaza Strip

Passport must be valid 3 months beyond the scheduled departure date

Passport must be valid 1 month beyond the date of your intended stay, passport only needs to be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.

• Central African Republic
• Cote d'Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Morocco (British passports must be valid for at least three months on the date of entry)
• Sao Tome and Principe
• South Africa (passports must also have 30 days beyond your intended date of exit from the country)
• South Sudan

Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Dominican Republic
• Trinidad and Tobago

Central and South America

• El Salvador

Passport must be valid 3 months beyond arrival

• Brazil (British passports need to be valid six months beyond arrival)

South Pacific

• American Samoa
• French Polynesia
• Marshall Islands
• Papua New Guinea
• New Zealand

Bottom line

When examining the rules, note that some countries have a slight distinction: They may require validity to be either six months from the date of entry or six months from the date of intended departure . For simplicity, we've taken the conservative approach and assumed that for any country with a six-month rule, like most of the ones above, you should ensure your passport is valid six months past the date of intended departure just in case.

Of course, the list above only includes just a few popular destinations worldwide. If your intended destination isn't on the list, it's always best to check with your relevant passport issuer.

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Passport Validity Period for Travel to Europe

Many European countries ("the Schengen states") require that your passport be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area.  For more information see the Department of State's Schengen web page at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/schengen-fact-sheet.html .

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10-year passport rule: are your documents valid for EU travel?

Travellers are being caught out by post-brexit document checks. here’s what you need to know.

I f your passport is more than ten years old or it has less than three months to run, you will not be able to travel to the EU. The rules came into effect after Brexit , with Ireland (in the Common Travel Area) being the only exception.

Before Brexit, UK travellers were able to carry up to nine months of unexpired time from an old passport to a new one, but EU countries no longer accept passports issued more than ten years ago.

The UK Passport Office stopped this practice in September 2018 — all passports issued after this date are valid for the required ten years. However, Home Office data obtained by the BBC suggests 32 million people had applied for passports between March 2014 and September 2018 that, if approved, have a validity period of more than ten years.

If you are planning a trip to the EU, here’s what you need to know.

What is the ten-year passport rule?

EU rules prohibit travellers from entering the zone if their passport was issued more than 10 years ago. Your passport must also be valid for three months the day after you leave.

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Before Brexit, UK travellers were able to carry up to nine months from an old passport to a new one. However, post-Brexit regulations mean that EU countries — including popular holiday destinations Spain, France and Greece — will not accept passports issued more than ten years ago, even with months left before the expiration date.

Travellers with a passport issued before September 2018 should double check its issue date to avoid problems at the airport.

The rule applies across the EU, but British citizens do not need a passport to enter Ireland, which only requires travellers to bring proof of identification. You should still take your passport with you.

What documents do I need to travel from the UK?

A valid passport is essential for travelling outside the UK. For travel to the EU and EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), it needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months left on it the day after you leave. The only exception is if you are travelling to Ireland — which is part of the Common Travel Area with the UK — where you can travel up to the day your passport expires.

Depending on where you are travelling to, for what purpose and for how long, you may also need to get a visa. After Brexit, UK nationals are only permitted to stay in EU countries for a maximum of 90 days out of 180, after which a visa or other entry permit may be needed. You will need to check the entry requirements for each individual country you are visiting.

If you are planning to drive or hire a car, you will need to take your driving licence. Those taking their own cars across the border will also need relevant insurance and vehicle registration details as well as a UK sticker on the vehicle.

When travelling to EU countries, you may also want to apply for and take your UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC). This free benefit replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for most UK nationals after Brexit. It entitles you to the same access to public medical care as residents, which will either be free or heavily subsidised. In some cases, having the card with you is a requisite of ensuring your travel insurance is valid.

Can you travel to Europe without a passport from the UK?

In most cases, you will need your passport to travel to Europe. Ireland is the only exception, although the government still advises taking your passport with you, and airlines will typically insist on it.

What if I lose my passport?

If you have lost your passport, or you do not have time to get a new one before you travel, you may be able to apply for an emergency travel document. These cost £100 and you will need to attend a British embassy in person after you have applied online. The document contains your exact itinerary, and if you decide to change your plans at the last minute you will need a new document.

Can you travel with an expired passport within Europe?

In theory, yes, because land borders within the Schengen area are open and ID checks are only carried out in exceptional circumstances. For example, the Spanish government has said that its citizens may enter the country on an expired passport or ID after its authenticity has been checked; however, a valid travel document is still required to leave the country. In the case of the UK, your passport will be checked at all border controls and you will need to make sure it’s valid for travel.

How long do you need on your passport to travel to Spain?

Like most countries in the EU, Spain requires those travelling on a British passport to have at least three months remaining after the day you plan to leave. You also need to check that it is less than ten years old when you enter Spain.

How long do you need on your passport to travel to Greece?

For Greece , the usual EU passport validity rules apply. This means it needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months left on it the day after you leave.

How long do you need on your passport to travel to Portugal?

EU passport validity rules also apply in Portugal . So your passport needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months left on it the day after you leave.

How long do you need on your passport to travel to the US?

For entry into the US , your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your stay although it doesn’t need to have any additional validity on it. However, you may need an Esta or visa for entry.

How long do you need on your passport to travel to Turkey?

Turkey requires UK passport holders to have at least six months remaining on their passports from the day they arrive. It also needs to have a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps.

• What is the EU’s new entry system and what will it mean for my holiday? • Are there roaming charges in Europe? • Most powerful passports in the world

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Man Tried to Travel With Son Using Expired Passport, Because What Could Go Wrong?

Case in point…

Malcolm, a resident of the UK, planned to take his son, Joshua, on a ski trip in Switzerland. But when they got to London Luton Airport (LTN), Jane, who worked for EasyJet, was concerned that Josh’s passport wouldn’t pass muster because it was probably expired.

Malcolm is positive it won’t matter. “The debate is whether it expires at the end of January or whether the fifth, at the beginning, means it expires on the fifth. Nobody in Europe is going to care about a 10 year old boy traveling with that passport. We will walk straight through customs, they won’t even look at it but they have to let us on the plane first or we can’t…put it to the test.”

Maybe Malcolm isn’t so much entitled as much as not having a clue of how passports work? Passports have expiration dates. And except for during the pandemic (this video was shot in the late 90s, 20 years before Covid), no one can travel on an expired passport – not even a ten-year-old boy.

Jane, an EasyJet employee, was a rockstar through this – she looked through all the documentation she had, and it appeared the passport wouldn’t be valid (well, DUH!). So she contacted someone in Geneva to see if they would accept a little boy’s expired passport.

Malcolm was still insisting passport control in Switzerland would let the kid walk on through, but Jane reiterated that she couldn’t let him get on the plane with an expired document.

She said it would be a while before she heard back from Geneva, so she suggested Malcolm get a cup of coffee while they waited. Malcolm was not pleased.

“We’ll wait here,” Malcolm replied. “I’m not going to get mad yet. I’ll get mad if…we have to go on a later flight and have to go to a passport office in that which will be silly. It’s my son’s first skiing trip so it’s quite important that we do this and…we don’t cancel it.”

You know what? I take it back. Malcolm’s entitled. It was his responsibility to check the passport’s expiration date and ensure the implications of the same. Now, he’s threatening to get mad if the trip has to be delayed because of a passport that HE should have taken care of long before the ski trip.

Jane eventually gets back to Malcolm and his son. She explains that no, Joshua wouldn’t be able to enter Switzerland with that passport because it’s expired.

“They’re going to send you right back,” she said. “So we need to get you another passport and try and get you on standby on the next flight.”

Malcolm was more understanding and cooperative now. So he and Josh ventured off to London to get an emergency passport. They’ve got 5 hours to get it done and make it back for the next flight…where they’ll be on standby.

Jane’s response? A wry, “he’ll kill me if they don’t get on it.”

The rest of the story continues on in this video (spoilers – they did make it to Switzerland. And, in thanking her, Malcolm gave Jane a kiss…which I thought was just…weird).

The video is part of a series called Airline , that was on TV in the UK from 1998 to 2007 – the series followed the employees of Britannia Airways in its first season, and then EasyJet for the following seasons. The US-based Airline TV show that was on A&E a few years later (that one focused on passengers and flights of Southwest Airlines) was based on the British series.

Here are links to several seasons of the UK series (Each show was 30 minutes, but these videos are in big chunks. Yay binge watching!).

Season 5 (episodes 2-12)

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We came to your article to read about a train wreck anyway, but the disappointment is with finding out that this is some reality show nostalgia from the 90s. I mean, these aren’t the actual confrontations taking place in front of the camera but reenactments. What could go wrong?

Sorry you were disappointed. Our blog is sometimes “new” news, sometimes opinions, sometimes funny crap, sometimes our own personal experiences and yep, sometimes older stuff that we just discovered now. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The entitlement is spreading over phones via customer service as well. People asking if you’ll pay for what is not covered or just demanding that it be paid.

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You Should Never Get Rid Of Old And Expired Passports. Here's Why

Y our passport is one of the most essential travel documents when going out of the country. Once a passport has expired, though, you might think it no longer has much value — but that's not true. Old passports can confirm your identity and might still be linked to still-active visas. Additionally, if you toss your expired passport in the trash, there's a chance your personal information could get into the wrong hands and become an identity theft issue. So keep hold of it!

Plus, keeping that old passport will make it easier to obtain your next passport. In the United States, if you received your passport after you were 16, and it's within 15 years from when it was issued, you're able to send your expired passport to the National Passport Processing Center via mail to receive a new one as compared to having to go into an office — saving you time. There are a couple of other qualifiers, like the condition of the document, so double-check with the State Department . You'll get your expired passport back from the State Department after your renewal passport is processed. Ensure the renewed one is with you the next time you travel; the old one should have a hole punched in it or a corner cut off to help signal that it's expired.

Read more: Unsettling Reasons You May Want To Avoid Taking A Cruise

Your Expired Passport May Still Be Linked To A Current Visa

When you receive that old passport back, you might think its job is finished — but still don't toss it. The U.S. Department of State  advises that people hold onto their expired passports, particularly if they used that old passport for a still-valid visa for travel to a specific country. While your new passport will also be linked to the visa, you'll need to take both with you when you travel on that visa. Having the wrong documents is one mistake that will definitely slow you down at airport security .

In some instances, expired passports can help prove your American citizenship. It can also be used as proof of identification, assuming you still look at least somewhat like you did for your passport photo (it won't work as well if you try using one from when you were a kid to prove your identity as an adult). So, while an out-of-date passport may have to be paired with another form of unexpired ID, depending on the circumstance, it can still go a long way to proving you are who you say you are.

Old Passports Can Hold Memories

Older passports can work as a memory keepsake of the countries that you visited, with colorful entry and exit stamps adorning the pages and providing a trip down memory lane — the family trip to Cancun , your honeymoon in New Zealand, your college backpacking trip through Europe — all together in one place. That adds a sentimental reason to the practical ones for keeping your old passport and perhaps even an older relative's passport after they pass away.

However, in today's modern digital age, a number of countries are foregoing the physical passport stamp as the way to track who comes and goes, which means that using your expired passport as a type of travel scrapbook could soon be over. So, there may not be the same emotional value to a document that's been expired for decades and has been replaced multiple times. If you are fully purging yourself of old documents and have exhausted the reasons for holding onto an old passport, you can safely turn it over to the U.S. State Department passport agency to be disposed of properly.

Read the original article on Islands .

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EasyJet leave passenger almost £1,500 out of pocket after wrongly denying boarding – again

Exclusive: uk’s biggest budget airline wrongly claims british passports ‘expire after 10 years’ since brexit, article bookmarked.

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EasyJet is once again turning away some British passengers to the EU on the basis of wrongly applied post-Brexit passport rules .

On 9 April 2024, Jacqueline McGeough was travelling with her daughter from Edinburgh to Naples on an easyJet flight for a four-day holiday in Italy .

Her British passport , which The Independent has verified, was issued on 12 May 2014 and expires on 12 August 2024.

It was therefore valid for travel to the European Union and wider Schengen Area up to and including 12 May 2024.

Ms McGeough said: “At the gate my boarding pass flashed red and the rep asked me when we were returning.

“I advised her 12 April. She stepped aside to make a call then advised me that my passport wasn’t valid. I told her I had carefully considered the published guidance before booking. She stated that my passport was only valid for 10 years from the issue date and therefore was not valid for travel.”

Read more: When to renew your passport before visiting Europe

The easyJet ground agent was incorrect. Ms McGeough’s passport comfortably met both the tests for UK passports to the European Union:

• Under 10 years since issue date on the day of outbound travel
• At least three months remaining on the intended date of return

Ms McGeough explained this to a supervisor, who nevertheless confirmed the original, erroneous decision to deny boarding.

The pair left the airport, having lost nearly £1,500 on the trip. Ms McGeough spent two days verifying that her passport was acceptable for travel. The Italian consulate in Edinburgh confirmed her passport was within date. She then lodged a complaint with easyJet.

Six weeks later easyJet ’s customer service department told her that her passport had expired on 12 May 2024, which was false.

She then appealed to the chief executive, Johan Lundgren.

“On 27 May I received a response from the executive support team advising that having ‘thoroughly investigated’ my claim, I had been appropriately denied boarding as my passport expired on 12 May, 10 years from the anniversary of issue of my passport.”

Again, this was false, and Ms McGeough appealed for the decision to be reversed.

But easyJet doubled down, telling her: “Post- Brexit , EU countries no longer accept passports issued more than 10 years ago, even if they have additional months of validity due to the old passport transfer.”

This is not correct; a British citizen can be present in the European Union over 10 years after the passport was issued, so long as they enter the area before the passport’s 10th birthday and have three months’ passport validity remaining.

Ms McGeough said: “Following the initial humiliation of being turned away and distress associated with missing out on our holiday, I am now pretty convinced that there has been no attempt to resolve the issue and rather it is easyJet’s tactic to to hold this line and not accept any liability in the hope that customers will give up.

“I have no idea how they can ignore all the published guidance and everything I have passed to them, including your articles going back to 2022, but still maintain that they have ‘thoroughly investigated’.

“I am out of pocket by almost £1,500. I have needlessly missed out on a short break with my daughter and have lost two days of my annual leave entitlement.

“Had the mistake been mine I would have been accepting and would have forgotten about it by now.”

After the Brexit transition phase ended, easyJet – along with its main rival, Ryanair – imposed incorrect rules , even though The Independent had provided them both with the correct European Union policy.

Eventually both airlines fell into line, as did the UK government – which had continually misrepresented the EU rules.

After The Independent contacted easyJet, the airline said a mistake had been made and that its policy had not, in fact, changed.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: “We are very sorry that Ms McGeough and her daughter were unable to take their flight to Naples due to a misunderstanding at the gate of passport validity rules, which we are investigating with our ground handling partner at Edinburgh airport to ensure this doesn’t happen in future.

“We are also looking into why they received incorrect information in response to their claim as easyJet has not changed its policy which is in line with government guidance.

“We are in touch with Ms McGeough to apologise for this experience and to reimburse their flights and any expenses, as well as provide the compensation that is due.”

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Top questions about passports.

• How do I check my application status ?
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See more questions in the Help Centre

Travelling in general

There isn’t a specific answer to this question. This is because each country has its own entry requirements.

Always check the entry and exit requirements for all countries you’re going to visit before making your plans. Then check your passport to see when it expires. This will tell you whether you need to renew your passport yet.

All countries have their own entry requirements. Read the  travel advisories  to view the entry and exit requirements of each country.

Since these requirements can change, you may also check with the  Government of Canada office  of the country you visit.

You shouldn’t travel with a passport that will expire during your trip or shortly after your planned return. To avoid problems while travelling, you should get a new passport before leaving if your passport could expire around or during your travels.

Some countries won’t allow you to enter if your passport expires shortly after your planned return date. To find out more about entry and exit requirements, consult the:

• travel advisories
• Government of Canada office  of the country you will be visiting

You should make all travel arrangements in the name on your passport.

If the names don't match, you may have problems at border crossings or when boarding flights.

Check with the authorities in the destination country to find out if you need any other documents.

Travelling with children

We strongly recommend that your child carry a consent letter if they’re travelling abroad:

• friends or relatives
• only one parent/guardian

For the purposes of the consent letter, a Canadian child is defined as anyone who is under the age of majority (18 or 19, depending on the province or territory of residence).

Learn more about children travelling abroad and get a  sample consent letter at Travel.gc.ca .

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Can You Fly With an Expired Driver’s License?

Phone check. deodorant check. id uh-oh..

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Yes, it’s still possibly to fly within the United States with an expired license under certain parameters.

Photo by Iv-olga/Shutterstock

When Amit Davé was returning from a white-water rafting trip in Colorado, he arrived at the airport in Denver only to realize he had left his driver’s license with the rafting company.

“The rafting company was a few hours away from the airport. Luckily, I happened to have my old, expired license. The TSA agent was gracious and told me not to panic and let me through,” said Davé, who noted that there weren’t long lines or crowds, which he thinks may have helped. “I was even able to have the white-water rafting place mail my license home to me after!”

Turns out, Davé’s agent may not have just been being extra nice. In some cases, it is acceptable to fly domestically within the United States with an expired driver’s license. Here are some tips and details about how to make the process as smooth as possible if you only have an expired license, so you’ll still be able to make your flight.

Follow TSA guidelines

According to the TSA website , you are currently allowed to fly domestically within the United States with an expired driver’s license or state-issued ID if it has been under one year since it expired.

Furthermore, a TSA spokesperson confirmed to Afar over email: “Regarding identification requirements, TSA currently accepts expired driver’s licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration. If it has been more than one year, they will need another form of acceptable ID.”

So, if it’s been less than a year since your ID expired, you are good to go, no questions asked.

Use your passport or another approved ID instead

If it’s been more than a year since your driver’s license expired, the easiest way to ensure a smooth check-in and security screening process is to bring a different form of acceptable identification. The one most people will have handy is their passport.

Other acceptable IDs according to the TSA website include a passport card; DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, Nexus, Sentri, Fast); U.S. Department of Defense ID; permanent resident card; border crossing card; a photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe HSPD-12 PIV card; Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card; a transportation worker identification credential; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766); a U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential; and a Veteran Health Identification Card.

Note that a temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of ID, so if you’ve already applied for a new license but haven’t gotten it yet, you’ll need one of these other forms of ID instead of your temporary license.

Give yourself extra time

If you are using an expired driver’s license, allow yourself plenty of extra time, just in case, because you may be subject to extra security checks. A spokesperson from TSA said, “Given the summer travel season is expected to be the busiest in TSA’s history, it is important that passengers give themselves plenty of time to return rental cars, check-in with their airline, check baggage and prepare themselves for the TSA checkpoint and get to their gate. TSA recommends passengers arrive a couple of hours early, especially during early morning rush hours between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. and afternoon rush hours between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.”

What about Real ID?

While the deadline for getting a Real ID has been postponed several times over the last few years, the TSA promises it will not be extending the announced deadline of May 7, 2025. On and after that date, if you are using a driver’s license to fly domestically, it will need to be a Real ID.

“Beginning May 7, 2025, if travelers plan to use their state-issued ID or license to fly within the United States, it is important that it is Real ID compliant,” said the TSA spokesperson. Additionally, on the FAQ page for Real ID , it states, “Travelers who do not present a Real ID-compliant license or acceptable alternative beginning May 7, 2025 will not be permitted through the security checkpoint.”

The TSA spokesperson would not comment on whether the current rules about using expired IDs would change after the Real ID rules go into effect next May. They recommend checking the TSA acceptable ID page for updates.

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