passport expiry travel uk

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• Rules for travelling with a soon-to-be expired passport

People can often forget to check the expiration date on their passports before travelling, assuming that as long as it’s in date then they will be fine. Crucially, a lot of countries still need a certain amount of time on a passport before they allow you in. Find out whether you can travel when your passport is about to expire with our handy guide.

How long should you have left on your passport?

Many people  pack their bags for a holiday or business trip with just a casual glance at their passport expiration date, but if it’s due to expire you may be refused entry. While most countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA just need your passport to be valid for the length of your stay,

other countries such as China, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey need at least six months. Always check the specific entry requirements for the country you are visiting on the GOV.UK website. You should make sure that your passport meets the following rules:

• The passport issue date is less than 10 years before day of arrival in the EU
• The passport expiry date is at least three months after intended day of departure from EU

In general, many countries that require a visa to enter will require at least six months validity on your passport when entering the country, so make sure you find out whether your passport has long enough before it expires before you travel.

It's easy to get your passport application or renewal right first time.

How do i find out how long i need on my passport.

The best way to find out if your passport is valid for travel to certain countries is to check the Travel Advice section of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website. Choose the country you’re visiting, before clicking on ‘Entry requirements’ and scrolling down to ‘Passport validity’.

Passport rules for different countries

All countries will have their own rules concerning passport validity and expiration rules. Here’s a list of the most common ones:

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay, but if you have less than six months validity it may take longer to pass through immigration control.

Your passport should have at least six months validity.

European Union

For most European countries, HM Passport Office recommend that the passport expiry date is at least three months after intended day of departure from EU. Those countries are:

*However, if you’re travelling to the north of Cyprus, your passport should have at least six months validity.

Czech Republic

Netherlands

Your passport must be machine readable, with two blank pages for your visa and valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.

New Zealand

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of one month from the date of exit.

South Africa

Rules state that your passport should be valid for at least 30 days from the date of exit, but it’s recommended that you have at least six months on your passport before it expires. Your passport should also have at least two blank pages when you enter or leave South Africa.

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. However, your passport must be a biometric ePassport with the silver camera symbol on the front. There are also a number of other rules concerning entry to the USA , which you should check before travelling.

What to do if you need a new passport

If you need to renew your passport and have more than four weeks before you travel, pick up an application form from your local Post Office or use our online Passport Check & Send process.

If you need your passport more urgently, then read the Government’s official passport advice to find out more on soon to expire passports.

Want to get your new passport application or renewal right first time?

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Why UK passport holders need to check the issue date of their passports before travelling to the EU

By Jenny Southan

Did you know that the expiry date on burgundy British passports might be meaningless when travelling to EU countries (except Ireland ) or Schengen zone countries such as Switzerland , Norway and Iceland ? This is because since Brexit, British passports cannot be more than 10 years old when used to travel to the EU – which means you need to look at the date the passport was issued , rather than the date it expires. Most people – understandably – assume that an adult passport lasts 10 years, but if your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months might have been added to its expiry date if the previous passport was renewed before it fully expired (the additional months used to be rolled over).

In spite of being a travel journalist, I was caught out by this sneaky rule on a recent trip to France (you can read more on the FCO’s website ). It was ironic because I was aware of it, and then forgot about it. I had completed a trip to the US just the previous week and hadn’t thought twice about a trip to France with my daughter for the Easter holidays because I still have seven months left on my passport – it expires in November 2023 (you need a minimum of three months to travel to the EU). So I checked in online with Easyjet – uploading my passport details as requested – travelled to London Gatwick with my four year old, had our passports checked before dropping off our suitcase , and then proceeded through security.

A couple of hours later we were queuing to board the plane, but when it came to our turn a member of Easyjet staff scanned my passport and it flashed up as “amber” on her screen. She sternly proceeded to tell me that my passport had expired and we wouldn’t be allowed to board. My daughter started crying and begging to be allowed to see her grandparents whom we were supposed to be visiting. The Easyjet representative was unsympathetic – insisting there was no way we could travel and telling me to step away from the gate. I was shocked – it felt like an arbitrary rule. She wouldn’t even acknowledge that it was confusing for flyers and accepted no responsibility on behalf of the airline for not flagging it during the booking or check-in process.

We then had to wait two hours for our suitcase to be returned while they off-loaded it from the plane. Obviously, it’s my own fault – the rule has been in place since January 2021. But I wanted to share my experience because if I can make this mistake, then other people will do so too. And it’s a costly one – flights lost, hotel lost, holiday lost.

To make matters worse, this happened last week – during the first week of the five-week-long HM Passport Office strikes . What this meant was that I was not able to get a new passport quickly enough to travel during the Easter break (I would have booked new flights if I could). Normally you can pay £193.50 to apply for an Online Premium passport that can be collected in two days, or a Fast Track one that takes a week. When I returned home I attempted to get an appointment for an Online Premium premium passport but it took me two days to secure a slot (every time I clicked it said there were no available appointments – same for Fast Track).

After many dozens of attempts, I finally managed to proceed with the application on 6 April, but the soonest appointment I could get was 25 April and I would have to fly to the passport office in Belfast to collect it (I live in London). There were no slots in England available. As I have a business trip to Berlin at the beginning of May , I went ahead with this – paying £250 for flights to Belfast plus another £100 for a hotel. I then realised my daughters’ passport expires in September 2023 and if we wanted to go on holiday abroad this summer , I would need to get one for her too (you can’t use Online Premium for kids – and it costs £126 Fast Track). So far, there are no appointments available.

These are the current rules for British passport holders travelling to the EU and Schengen zone. Your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the “date of issue”)
• Valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave
• You do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply: you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period OR you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons

When do I need to renew my passport to travel to Europe? Post-Brexit rule means yours may be invalid

• Monday 25 April 2022 at 3:59pm

Since Brexit , passport rules for UK visitors to the European Union (EU) have been tightened up.

But many people may not be aware of the finer print, and some families are finding themselves thousands of pounds out of pocket when they have been banned from boarding flights due to the rule changes.

This summer will see many head to European countries for a holiday for the first time since the pandemic started more than two years ago.

So what exactly are the rules for British travellers to the EU, and how can you avoid a passport disaster?

How have the rules changed?

When the UK was a member of the EU, British passports remained valid up to and including their expiry date for travel to other EU countries.

But post-Brexit, British passport holders wishing to travel to EU countries in the Schengen Area are treated as non-EU nationals. This includes popular tourism destinations such as Portugal and Greece.

As such, they must meet two key requirements, as outlined on the EU's Your Europe website . If you are a non-EU national wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a passport:

valid for at least three months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting

which was issued within the previous 10 years

This means you should really be looking at the date of issue when checking if you need to renew, as well as the expiry date.

It may appear that your passport is within date, but if it hasn't been issued in the past 10 years you could be stopped from boarding your plane.

According to the government's website, for some Schengen countries, once the three-months-remaining rule is taken into account, a passport needs to have been issued no more than nine years and nine months ago.

What is the Schengen Area?

The border-free Schengen Area is made up of 26 countries and guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU citizens, along with non-EU nationals living in the EU or visiting the EU as tourists.

It is comprised of most EU countries, except for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania. The non-EU countries Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also part of the Schengen area. Aren't all passports only valid for 10 years?

Until September 2018, the UK had a policy that meant you could claim credit on 'unspent' time when renewing your passport, so you could be issued with a passport that was valid for up to 10 years and nine months.

People who took advantage of this policy could now find themselves caught out.

For expert analysis and insight on the biggest stories listen to our podcast to find out What You Need To Know

Do the rules affect children's passports?

Passports for under-16s are usually valid for five years, so there should be no chance of breaching the 10-year rule.

But be careful of the three-months-remaining rule, which states your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave the country. Children are more likely to get caught out by this rule as their passports don't last as long.

Am I covered if I get caught out?

Unfortunately, if you don't make sure your passport will be accepted before you travel, you are unlikely to get back any money you lose.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, told ITV News: “There has been confusion over guidance for travel to the EU. Passports must be issued within 10 years of entry into your destination country and remain in date for at least three months after the day you plan to return to the UK. 

“It is essential to ensure your passport is valid when you are due to travel and return home. Otherwise you risk losing the money for your flight or holiday as your provider will not refund you, and insurance will not cover you for the error.”

Do the rules apply anywhere else in the world?

These rules are specific to Schengen Area countries. If you are travelling to the rest of the world you should check the individual rules for entering those countries on the government website .

When should I renew my passport?

To be on the safe side, it's best to apply to renew your passport before it is nine years and nine months old.

You should allow up to 10 weeks to receive your passport, so you should apply for it at least 10 weeks before you're due to travel.

You can apply online (£75.50) or by post with a paper form (£85).

If you need a passport urgently, you can pay £142 for a 1-week fast track service .

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What is the Minimum Passport Validity to Enter UK?

Anne morris.

• 28 June 2023

IN THIS SECTION

For a non-UK national planing to visit the UK, in most cases you’ll need to have a valid passport on arrival at the UK port of entry.

Where someone is travelling with a passport, they must also ensure that their passport is not due to expire, as they may be refused entry to UK , even if their passport is valid on arrival. This is because there are rules around minimum passport validity to enter Britain.

The following guide for non-UK nationals looks at the rules on both passport validity and expiry issues to avoid any delay or disappointment when passing through border control.

What is the minimum passport validity to enter UK?

Any traveler who is a national from outside the EEA or Switzerland, you must have a valid passport to enter the UK. On arrival in the UK, your passport will be checked to ensure that you are allowed to enter the country, where this should be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay.

EEA and Swiss nationals may be eligible to travel to the UK with a national identity card instead of a passport.

However, other countries have their own rules concerning passport validity and expiration rules. Some countries have in place a comparable rule to the UK, where a passport must be valid for the duration of the stay, while others have what is commonly referred to as the 6-month passport rule, which states that a person’s passport must be valid for another 6 months before they depart for international travel. The 6-month travel period may also commence from either the date of departure or arrival, depending on the country.

For example, for travel from the UK to India, a passport must be valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry, while for travel from the UK to New Zealand, a passport should be valid for a minimum of one month from the date of exit.

Even where other countries do not follow the 6-month passport rule, they may still require that a passport is valid for 3 months. For example, for most European countries, it is recommended that the passport expiry date is at least 3 months after the intended day of departure from the EU, although for Northern Cyprus this is 6 months.

As such, it is important for anyone to check the validity of their passport before travelling. Equally, if an individual plans to travel to another country after leaving the UK, before returning to their home country, they should check the passport rules for that destination. At least 6 months remaining validity may be required for onward travel to many other countries. If an individual does not have the required time left remaining on their passport where they are bound for continental Europe or other destinations, at the very least, it may take longer to pass through immigration control, although they may also be refused entry.

Further, in addition to having sufficient time remaining on a passport, to be able to travel to the UK and other countries, a traveller may also need to have blank pages for any entry and exit stamps, where the UK itself requires at least one page. However, where a person wants to travel on, other countries may require more than one page. For example, to travel from the UK to India, a passport must be machine readable, with two blank pages for a visa.

What happens if someone’s passport will expire while in the UK?

If an individual’s passport is due to expire while they are in the UK, where a passport must be valid for the full length of a person’s stay, that person is likely to be denied boarding. If they are able to travel to the UK, it is also likely that they will be refused entry on arrival, where the rules on travelling with a soon-to-be expired passport are strict.

If someone is refused entry to the UK, they will be notified in writing of the reasons for this and whether they can appeal against this decision. They will also be told when they will be removed from the UK, although this will usually be with immediate effect. In some cases, a person may be allowed entry into the UK, for up to one week, although their passport will be taken from them and they must report to immigration officers at prescribed intervals.

What are the requirements for non-UK nationals when entering the UK?

In addition to having a minimum passport validity to enter UK soil, there are various other requirements that must be met, including having a visa where they do not otherwise have the lawful immigration status to enter the UK without one. There is a useful online tool at GOV.UK that can be used to check if someone needs a UK visa and, if so, what type.

An non-UK national may need a visa to come to the UK to either visit, study or work. They may also need a visa to come into or transit through the UK, depending on their nationality. There are two types of transiting: airside and landside. With airside transiting, the person does not pass through UK border control before they leave on their connecting journey, whereas with landside transiting, they do pass through UK border control, but come back through it and leave the UK within a short amount of time, typically 24 hours. A person will always pass through border control if they leave the main airport building for any reason or even if they need to collect their bags and check them in to their onward flight. Depending on the individual’s nationality, they may need a visa for both types of transiting.

If a person needs a visa to come to the UK, this must have been issued before they travel. They will also need a valid passport or other travel document to be able to successfully apply for a visa, ensuring that they have a blank page in their passport for this purpose.

Even for overseas nationals who do not need a visa in advance of travel to come to the UK, ie; non-visa nationals who are visiting the UK for less than 6 months, they may still need in their possession sufficient documentation to satisfy border officials that they are a genuine visitor who will not be undertaking any activities in the UK not permitted under the visitor rules, including paid employment, and that they intend to leave at the end of their stay.

What are the passport requirements for EEA or Swiss citizens?

If a person is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, they can enter the UK using either a passport, an Irish passport card or an EEA or Swiss-issued national identity card, provided they are eligible to use one. As with other non-UK nationals, their passport or identity card must be valid for the whole stay in the UK. They can travel with a national identity card from an EEA country or Switzerland in the following circumstances:

• they have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) — introduced post-Brexit to enable EEA and Swiss citizens
• already living in the UK to apply for lawful immigration status — or Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man’s settlement schemes
• they have an EUSS family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man
• they have a Frontier Worker permit
• they are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
• they are a Swiss national and have a ‘Service Provider from Switzerland’ visa.

If someone has either settled or pre-settled status under the EUSS, the passport or national identity card they are travelling with must be registered on their account with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The same rule in relation to registering their passport or travel document on their UKVI account also applies if they used the ‘ UK Immigration: ID Check ’ app to scan their identity document when applying for a visa to enable them to come to the UK in circumstances where they do not otherwise have lawful immigration status.

Importantly, a person may be delayed at the UK border if their current passport or national identity card is not registered on their UKVI account. They should update their UKVI account if they have changed their passport or national identity card. They should also update their account if they have recently changed their name, address, postal or email address, as well as their mobile phone number. This is so that UKVI has up-to-date contact details if they need to get in touch, for example, in respect of a pending visa application.

It is worth noting that someone cannot change their identity document on their UKVI account if they are waiting for a decision from UKVI on a visa application, although they will need to wait for any visa decision before travelling in and out of the UK in any event.

What are the passport requirements for British citizens?

For British citizens, they can enter the UK with their passport, although if they are travelling from Ireland to Northern Ireland, they will not need any documents to enter.

If a British national is travelling from Ireland to England, Scotland or Wales, a Border Force officer may ask to see proof of that person’s identity and nationality, where they can use any documents that prove this, including a current or expired passport, a copy of their passport, provided this clearly shows their identity and nationality, or documentary proof that they have been given British citizenship, such as a UK citizenship certificate. If they are using an expired passport, it must be recent enough that it is clear that this is theirs.

What can a person expect on arrival at a UK port or airport?

As everyone will need to show a passport or national identity document on arrival in the UK, they must remove this from any holder or wallet and have this ready. They must also remove any face covering or sunglasses. If a person is with their family, they should move through passport control together and have all their passports ready to be checked.

If a person has a British passport, they can use the UK/EEA channel to get their passport checked, as this is often faster than the other channels. At some airports, they can also use automatic ePassport gates if their passport has a chip in it and they are aged 12 or over, where these gates use facial recognition technology to check someone’s identity against the photo in their passport. For travellers aged 12-17, they must be accompanied by an adult.

Equally, if a person is from the EEA or Switzerland, they can use the UK/EEA channel to get their passport or national identity card checked, or use the automatic ePassport gates where available at an airport and they have a passport with a chip. In contrast, if someone is from outside the EEA or Switzerland, their passport, and visa if they have one, will be manually checked at border control. They will also usually be asked why they are coming to the UK.

If a person is from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the USA, they can use the UK/EEA immigration lanes and the automatic ePassport gates. However, they must still see a border control officer and get a stamp in their passport if they are entering the UK on a permitted paid engagement or with a Tier 5 Creative or Sporting certificate of sponsorship for up to 3 months and they want to enter without a visa. They cannot get a stamp if they use the ePassport gates where, without a stamp, they will not be allowed to carry out the activities that they came to the UK to do.

In all cases, regardless of nationality, and even if British, those entering the UK should abide by the rules relating to what they bring with them into the UK. What someone can bring will depend on where they are travelling from, where they must declare to customs:

• anything over their duty-free allowance
• banned or restricted goods in the UK
• goods that they plan to sell in the UK
• more than €10,000 in cash, or its equivalent, if they are coming from outside the EU.

Both the individual and their baggage may be checked by customs for anything that must be declared. If someone is stopped and asked about their baggage, they must co-operate. If they are found to be breaking the rules for bringing goods into the UK, those goods may be seized by customs. They may also receive a penalty or, in the case of tobacco or alcohol, where someone has gone over their personal allowance, they may have to pay tax and duty.

Minimum passport validity to enter UK FAQs

Can i leave the uk with 3 months on my passport.

You must check the passport validity period for the country you plan to travel to from the UK. This could be 3 or 6 months from either the date of arrival or departure, or for the duration of your trip.

Can I travel with less than 6 months on my passport?

It is possible to travel with less than 6 months on your passport, depending on which country you are travelling to. To travel to the UK, your passport will need to be valid for the entire duration of your trip.

Last updated: 28 June 2023

Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.

She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.

Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator , and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals

• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ UK Visa Fees 2024
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ British Citizenship Fees 2024
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Guide to Travelling to the UK
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Explore Commonwealth Visa Options

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As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

Legal Disclaimer

The matters contained in this article are intended to be for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law, and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of writing, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should be sought.

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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.

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UK Passport checker – How to Check if Your UK Passport is Valid for Travel to the EU

Last Updated on April 29, 2024 by MyBritishPassport

UK passport checker: Are you wondering if your UK passport is valid for travel to the EU? Wonder no more! In this blog post, we will show you how to check the validity of your UK passport quickly and easily.

MyBritishPassport will also provide some tips on what to do if it is not valid. So don’t wait any longer – read on to find out everything you need to know about UK passports and travel to the EU!

Need to renew your British Passport? CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE.

Key Takeaways

• MyBritishPassport has developed a UK passport validity checker tool that enables every British passport holder to check whether his or her passport is valid for travel to the EU.

If you’re planning to travel soon, it’s essential that you check your passport validity in good time – preferably a few months before your trip.

• For travel within the EU, passports must not be older than ten years.

Travel to the EU after Brexit

The EU has agreed to include the United Kingdom on the EU’s list of visa-exempt countries, which currently numbers 61 nations. This gives UK residents the freedom to travel to the EU for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.

MyBritishPassport has developed a tool that enables every British passport holder to check whether his or her passport is valid for travel to the EU.

UK Passport Checker

Click here to access this useful tool (we have included a screenshot of the tool below).

How to use the passport validity checker for EU travel

Simply answer the following questions and submit your response.

• Where are you traveling to
• When does your passport expire
• When do you plan on travelling to Europe
• When do you plan on leaving Europe

You will immediately get a result – either stating that you need to renew your passport before you travel, or that your passport is valid.

Passport rules for travel to Europe

Understanding the rules for UK passport validity, especially in the context of traveling to the EU, is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

• Passport Validity Duration : UK passports for adults are valid for ten years and for children for five years.
• EU Travel Restrictions : For travel within the EU, passports must not be older than ten years. Even if a UK passport is still valid, if it exceeds ten years from the issue date, entry into the EU may be denied. Read more about this rule here.
• The Nine Years and Nine Months Rule : Some EU borders enforce a stricter rule, not allowing entry if the passport is older than nine years and nine months. This policy accounts for the three-month period allowed for EU travel, ensuring the passport doesn’t exceed the ten-year limit at the point of exit.
• Extension to Six Months : Some countries have extended the rule to six months instead of nine years and nine months. Consequently, both the European Commission and the UK Government advise having at least six months left on your passport.
• Renewal Recommendation : If your passport is nine and a half years old, it’s advisable to renew it before traveling to avoid any issues at the border.

Why Checking your passport validity is important

This will give you enough time to renew your passport if it is not valid for travel to the EU.

Border officials of various EU nations frequently request that passport holders have at least six months of remaining validity on their passports.

This is to ensure that travellers will not overstay their welcome in the Schengen Area .

What to do if your UK passport is not valid for travel to the EU

If your UK passport is not valid for travel to the EU, don’t panic! You can renew your passport by following these simple steps.

How to renew your UK passport

Renewing your UK passport from abroad with MyBritishPassport is simple.

• Simply complete our easy, online British Passport renewal or application form and make payment on our safe and secure platform. Click here.
• Once you have submitted your application and paid, you will be contacted by one of our British passport specialists with clear instructions regarding digital passport photo and any additional documents that are required.
• Our expert team will check your documents and forms, ensure that your passport photos are compliant, and submit your application to the passport office. Your documents are sent to HM Passport Office using our reliable, registered courier service.
• Wait for your new passport to be delivered to your doorstep via our registered, reliable courier service.

Renewing your British passport from Australia? Click here to find out more.

Check my passport expiry date UK

As mentioned above, checking your passport expiry date is always important because it is a crucial document that verifies your identity and citizenship, and it is required for international travel.

If your passport has expired, you may be denied entry into a foreign country, causing significant inconvenience and potentially ruining your travel plans.

Furthermore, renewing a passport can take several weeks, so it is wise to check the expiry date well in advance of your trip to ensure you have enough time to renew it if necessary. In short, checking your passport expiry date is a simple step that can help prevent issues and ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience.

About MyBritishPassport

MyBritishPassport is the leading provider of British passport services, specialising in applications, renewals and replacements from abroad. We are a team of experts who are passionate about helping people obtain their British passports as quickly and easily as possible.

We have a wealth of experience in dealing with UK passports, and we are here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to find out more about our services.

How do I check if my passport is valid UK?

You can check the validity of your UK passport for EU travel by using the UK passport checker tool on the MyBritishPassport website.

Another way to check the validity of your passport is by contacting your nearest British embassy or consulate. They will be able to tell you if your passport is still valid and when it expires.

You can also check your passport’s expiry date on the data page of your passport. Please note that the  passport expiry date  is printed on the front page of your passport under ‘Passport Issued’.

An adult passport validity is 10 years from the date it is issued.

Wondering how far in advance you can renew your British passport? Read more here.

Conclusion:

It’s important to check the validity of your UK passport before travelling to the EU. You can do this by using the UK passport checker tool on the MyBritishPassport website. If your passport is not valid, you can renew it by following the steps outlined in this blog post. MyBritishPassport can help you with this process. Contact us today to find out more.

Topic: check my passport expiry date UK

Find out more about British Passport renewal requirements here.

Other Helpful Guides:

• Renewing your UK passport from South Africa
• How to renew your British Passport from Australia
• Renewing your British passport in the USA
• UK Passport Renewals from Canada
• Renew UK Passport in NZ

Contact MyBritishPassport

Unsure whether your UK passport is valid? Reach out to our team of experts, we will be happy to assist.

Topic: UK Passport Validity Checker

• Renew British Passport from South Africa
• Renew UK Passport from Australia
• British Passports in the USA
• UK Passport Renewals Canada
• Renew British Passport from Europe

ABOUT MYBRITISHPASSPORT

A member of the U.K.PASSPORTS™ group, MyBritishPassport is the leading international British Passport Service Provider catering to British citizens residing outside of the UK. Since its establishment in 2008, the company has been offering efficient and hassle-free online services for British Passport renewals, replacements, and applications from abroad.

The company has gained a reputation as a leading service provider in the industry, with countless verified five-star reviews from satisfied clients worldwide. This speaks volumes about their excellent service quality.

MyBritishPassport has a highly knowledgeable team of British Passport Consultants who are well-versed in all the requirements of the HM Passport Office. They are continuously updated with the latest rules and regulations governing passport issuance, ensuring that their clients receive the most up-to-date advice and guidance.

Why were e-gates down at UK airports and are they all fixed now?

A nationwide issue that led to e-gate malfunctions at UK airports has been resolved, according to the Home Office.

Hundreds of passengers arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Bristol airports were stranded at the border for hours on Tuesday night (May 7) after the e-gates stopped working.

One passenger told the BBC he spent longer in the queue than on his flight back from Portugal.

Others were reportedly stuck on planes sitting on the tarmac after arriving in the country.

When working correctly, e-gates help travellers pass through border security more quickly. They also reduce the number of Border Force staff needed for border control.

However, the technology does not always work. System failures on Tuesday evening meant passengers had to have their passports checked manually — with errors persisting for more than four hours.

Here’s what you need to know about e-gates.

What are e-gates?

E-gates are electronic gates installed at immigration checkpoints in airports and certain other ports of entry. These gates use technology such as facial recognition and biometric scanning to verify the identity of travelers and automate the immigration process.

They allow passengers over 10 from the UK, the EU, Schengen zones, the US, Australasia, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan to bypass manual passport control.

Eligible travellers scan their passports and have their biometric data (usually a facial image) verified by the system. The gates open if all the information aligns, and you can officially enter the UK.

Travellers who do not meet eligibility criteria or have faulty passports must enter the UK through a separate queue.

Although millions of experiences are hassle-free, Tuesday’s issues are not the first time the e-gates have faced challenges.

In May 2023, there were massive delays over the bank holiday weekend as travellers arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick waited hours for their passports to be checked after e-gate technical issues.

Why were they not working?

The UK Government has not specifically said why the e-gates stopped working on Tuesday night, saying there was a "nationwide issue”.

 "E-gates at UK airports came back online shortly after midnight,” a Home Office representative said. “We apologise to travellers caught up in disruption and thank our partners, including airlines, for their co-operation and support.”

The representative said staff were on hand to process the passports and denied there was a security breach.

 ”At no point was border security compromised and there is no indication of malicious cyber activity”, they said.

Despite yesterday’s incident, most departures and arrivals today appear on time.

How many e-gates are there in the UK?

E-gates have been in action since 2008 and helped process more than 260 million passengers between then and 2020.

There are reportedly 293 e-gates across 13 UK airports and two Eurostar terminals.

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Airport chaos as passport e-gates fail again – what went wrong?

Exclusive: a nationwide it failure meant passengers were waiting for hours to have their passports checked, article bookmarked.

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Tens of thousands of airline passengers arriving at airports across the UK faced waits of several hours last night after another collapse of the e-gates system that automatically checks passports. The IT failure took over four hours to fix, during which time large queues built up.

The latest nationwide failure of the e-gates system started at 7.44pm on Tuesday evening. The Home Office says “a large-scale contingency response” was brought in within six minutes – basically, everyone had to have their passport checked manually.

With planes arriving every few minutes at Heathrow , Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Luton, Edinburgh and other airports, queues quickly built up.

At Heathrow, the pressure on space in the terminal meant that passengers were kept on planes, typically for half an hour.

Many people were waiting in line for two hours or more, and inevitably public transport shut down for the night – leaving many people to try to find taxis home or get hotels at the airports.

The system was restored soon after midnight but the backlog took time to clear.

Simon Calder, travel correspondent at The Independent , met some passengers at Heathrow as they emerged from International Arrivals in the early hours of the morning.

What did passengers say?

Fleur Lauriot flew from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Heathrow to visit her family. “At the start of the queue, there was a kind of ‘every man for themselves’ attitude. People were queue-jumping, which wasn’t good,” she said.

“We were queuing for what felt an eternity. But you know, as Brits, we love to queue.”

Mariella touched down at Heathrow from Athens at 8.30pm and eventually emerged from International Arrivals shortly before 11pm. She told The Independent : “It was just crazy for two and a half hours. People lost their connection flights and had to go to hotels to sleep for the night.”

Shenaz, a Londoner, arrived from Lisbon ahead of schedule at 9.10pm. She finally cleared passport control two hours later. “British Airways staff were very good,” she said.

“The airport staff were good. It’s a computer glitch. You blame the higher authorities.”

Across at Stansted, Jenny Barber said: “It was chaotic. No communication, no direction once you got to gates, hardly any staff. Appalling.”

How do the e-gates work – and why are they so important?

Almost 300 e-gates are installed at airports across the UK, as well as at Eurostar rail terminals in mainland Europe. They are at the heart of the UK Border Force operation. They verify that the passport is valid and belongs to the traveller.

A large majority of inbound passengers can use them: anyone aged 10 or over from the UK, the European Union, the wider Schengen area, North America, Australasia, Singapore, South Korea and Japan.

You put the photo page of your passport on the scanner and look into the camera. The system checks that it is a valid passport and that you are the owner. The gates open and you are typically through in about 15 seconds flat from the start of the process.

Because most arriving travellers are processed automatically, it allows passport control officers to focus on individuals of interest from other parts of the world.

UK Border Force staffing rosters are made on the assumption that e-gates will be taking care of, typically, 75 per cent of passengers.

This isn’t the first failure of this kind…

The worst collapse of the e-gates was over the late May bank holiday weekend in 2023 , when a software upgrade went awry.

Within the past two weeks, another relatively brief e-gates failure in the late afternoon led to queues of up to two hours at Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and other airports.

Do we have any idea what caused it?

No. All that a Home Office spokesperson would say on the subject is: ”At no point was border security compromised and there is no indication of malicious cyber activity.”

Are flights back to normal?

Yes. The fear at Heathrow was that the system wouldn’t be fixed in time for the first wave of arrivals. Each morning, around 10,000 passengers arrive every hour at the UK’s biggest airport.

Had the airlines been ordered to keep people on planes to avoid overcrowding, departing passengers would have been unable to board those planes on schedule, which would in turn block gates and potentially lead to cancellations. Many passengers transferring to domestic flights would have missed connections.

Fortunately, the problem was solved with several hours to spare. The Home Office spokesperson said: “E-gates at UK airports came back online shortly after midnight. We apologise to travellers caught up in disruption and thank our partners, including airlines for their co-operation and support.”

Are passengers entitled to any compensation?

No, because this was clearly beyond the airlines’ control. Travellers who incurred extra costs for taxis or airport hotels may possibly be able to claim on travel insurance.

What will be done to ensure there is no repeat?

It is not clear but senior figures are demanding action. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “If we are to rely heavily on technology, there needs to be sufficient investment in the technologies used in travel to ensure that these systems run smoothly and robust contingency plans in place to avoid any unnecessary disruption to travellers.”

Lord Foster of Bath, chair of the Lords justice and home affairs committee, said: “The nationwide failure of e-gates is deeply concerning.

“Technology invariably fails but the e-gates systems have experienced a number of problems recently. Border Force staff must be equipped and trained to deal with such situations when they arise. Minimising disruption to passengers is important but the security of the borders must remain the top priority.

“The government’s ambition is to have ‘the most effective border in the world’. In order to achieve this ambition, the government must get the fundamentals right – and it must be prepared to learn the appropriate lessons when things go wrong.”

The direction of travel is towards more automation, with plans to introduce “passportless” facial recognition . Phil Douglas, director-general of the UK Border Force, is aiming for “much more frictionless facial recognition than we currently do”.

The aim is to upgrade the current e-gates system so that arriving passengers can keep their passports in their pockets and be admitted to the UK simply by looking into a camera.

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How long is a US passport good for? Here's what to know — and how to renew it.

But before you jet off to a faraway location, you need to make sure your passport is not expired. Nothing can ruin a trip quite like showing up at the airport only to find out your passport is invalid.

Some countries even require passports to  "be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip," according to the U.S. Department of State. 

So, if you're planning on traveling and need to check your travel documents, here is a guide to how long your passport is good for, depending on when it was issued. 

How long is a passport good for?

Your passport's expiration date depends on when it was issued or renewed. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

According to the U.S. Department of State, a passport is valid for 10 years if it was issued when you were 16 years old or older. If your passport was issued when you were under the age of 16, your passport is valid for five years. 

You can identify your passport's issue date on the data page or on the front of your passport card.

How to find cheap flights:  Tips on how to cut travel costs

Can you renew your passport before it expires?

According to the State Department, your passport does not need to be expired for it to be renewed.  If you want a new book or a new card, all you must do is submit the valid documents in exchange for new ones.

If your passport has expired, you can still renew it if it has been issued within the last 15 years. 

How long are passports taking right now? 

As of Nov. 2023, the processing time for a passport is between seven to 10 weeks for routine processing. For expedited processing, your passport's processing time is between three to five weeks, according to the State Department. 

Processing time does not include mailing time, and it could take up to two weeks from your application day for your passport to be "In Process." 

How long does it take to get a passport? What is the fastest way to get one?

What do I need to bring to renew my passport?

According to the USAGov, these are the documents you will need if you're applying for a passport:

• Application form
• Your most recent passport 
• Passport photo

If you name has changed since your last passport,  you will have to provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate or a court order of your name change .

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From " What to bring camping? " to " What is the smallest country? " to " What state has the lowest population? " – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our  Just Curious section  to see what else we can answer.

Travel chaos at airports across UK - as London and Manchester confirm nationwide border issue

Both Stansted and Gatwick airports said the issue was related to e-gates at passport control.

By Claire Gilbody Dickerson, news reporter

Tuesday 7 May 2024 23:08, UK

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Chaos has been reported at airports across the UK - as several airports have confirmed a nationwide border issue.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: "Border Force is currently experiencing a nationwide issue which is impacting passengers being processed through the border.

"Our teams are supporting Border Force with their contingency plans to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible and are on hand to provide passenger welfare. We apologise for any impact this is having to passenger journeys."

UK airports confirmed to be affected by Border Force issue

London Heathrow

London Gatwick

London Stansted

Southampton

Follow latest: 'Queues only getting bigger' after London and Manchester a irports confirm nationwide issue

Manchester Airport also confirmed that the UK Border System is down as part of a nationwide outage.

Bristol Airport said on X it had also been affected by the issue as it warned passengers that "e-gates are not available and wait times may be longer than normal".

A spokesperson for AGS Airports which operates Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports has told Sky News they are impacted by the nationwide outage of the UK Border system.

The flights schedule means they are not currently affected by any queues, but Glasgow airport is due to have international arrivals later this evening.

The spokesperson said that if the situation continues they would expect passengers to be affected at Glasgow airport but contingency plans are in place and extra staff will be on hand to assist passengers.

A London Gatwick spokesperson said: "Some passengers may experience delays at immigration due to a nationwide issue with UK Border Force e-gates.

"Our staff are working with UK Border Force - who operate passport control including the e-gates - to provide assistance to passengers where necessary."

It said its teams are working to assist passengers in the airport.

Seems to be a UK nationwide airport system crash. No e gates working. This is the current queue in Gatwick airport with lots of children and no water #welcometotheuk pic.twitter.com/ckT21gJYXx — Rosie (@rxsiebo) May 7, 2024

A passenger at Gatwick Airport posted a video of the queues, saying on X that there were "lots of children and no water".

At Gatwick airport, the queue is over an hour long, with people being given no information on how long it may take for them to get through passport control, Sky News understands, while getting people on trains into London has also become an issue.

One passenger at Heathrow Airport said they had already been in the queue for an hour and it was "only getting bigger".

They added there had been "no communication" on how long it may take to resolve the issue.

Sky News correspondent Sadiya Chowdhury, reporting from Heathrow Airport, said one passenger had been in a queue for about three hours.

Last year, at the end of May, there were similar problems with e-gates and it took a day to resolve the issue as human officers had to check people's passports while the automated machines were out of service.

The country's air traffic system also suffered issues in August 2023 when a technical problem disrupted the National Air Traffic Service for several hours.

Long queues at Heathrow airport where passengers are being held at arrivals for a system failure. Been here already 1hour and the queue is only getting bigger. No communication given to anyone on what is the timeframe to sort this out. #welcomeback #heathrow #london #england pic.twitter.com/1BR71tetJh — A N D Y (@A_N_D_Y_3) May 7, 2024

Stansted Airport said on X: "UK Border Force is experiencing nationwide issues affecting e-gates at a number of airports, including London Stansted."

They said in a statement to Sky News: "Our operational and customer service colleagues are supporting passengers while UK Border Force and the Home Office fix the issue."

Edinburgh Airport said: "Border Force is experiencing a nationwide technical outage affecting UK airports.

"Although not in a peak arrivals period, some passengers may experience longer than normal waits at the Border while UKBF works to fix the issue." It added: "Thank you for your patience."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are aware of a technical issue affecting e-gates across the country.

"We are working closely with Border Force and affected airports to resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologise to all passengers for the inconvenience caused."

The disruption comes after Border Force workers staged a four-day strike at Heathrow in a dispute over working conditions last week.

The union said the workers were protesting against plans to introduce new rosters they claim will see around 250 of them forced out of their jobs at passport control.

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'Nothing ever works': UK passengers delayed at airport passport control after e-gates fail – video

Thousands of passengers were delayed at airports across the UK on Tuesday evening after e-gate failures left them stranded at passport control. The Home Office ruled out a cyber-attack, and got the gates back online. The outage affected Heathrow, Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and other airports

E-gates back online after chaos at Heathrow and other UK airports

Source: AP/Reuters/As credited

Wed 8 May 2024 11.51 BST Last modified on Wed 8 May 2024 16.41 BST

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