travel in eu with expired passport

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

Vous aimerez aussi

Cancelled flight in the eu: how to get reimbursed and compensated, travel photos: 10 tips for selling on shutterstock, this application will help you avoid queues in front of museums in paris, night trains: here is the 2023 map of lines in europe, this site shows you all the destinations within 5 hours by train, make your trip profitable: earn money by writing your blog, the best websites to sell travel photos, make your trip profitable: sell your vacation photos on stocks, omicron variant: here is the map that tells you where to travel in europe, leave a reply cancel reply.

Nous utilisons des technologies telles que les cookies pour stocker et/ou accéder aux informations relatives aux appareils. Nous le faisons pour améliorer l’expérience de navigation et pour afficher des publicités (non-)personnalisées.

Discover more from Destination(s) Europe

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Accessibility Links

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.

Advertisement

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

Sign up to the Times Travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here .

Related articles

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.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Can You Fly with an Expired Passport?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

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.

Travelling in the EU

Your rights & eu rules.

As an EU national, you enjoy the right of free movement. This means you’re entitled to travel, work and live in another EU country. If you’re a citizen of a Schengen country  – which is most EU countries – you’re also free to travel to other Schengen countries without the need for border checks.

As an EU national, you can also benefit from EU-wide passenger rights for travel into, out of or within the EU by air, rail, bus/coach or ship. You can travel with pets and other animals in the EU provided you comply with the rules (pet passports). There are EU limits on taking alcohol, tobacco or cash with you to another EU country. Each EU country can set its own limits or restrictions, so check before you go.

Travelling to or within the EU? Follow the links below to check which documents you need to take.

Documents you need to travel in the EU

Information on travel documents needed by EU nationals, non-EU national family members, non-EU nationals and children when entering the EU or travelling across it. Find out what to do if you lose your passport or it expires when travelling in the EU.

Public Register of Authentic travel and identity Documents Online (PRADO)

View authorised travel and identity documents issued by EU countries and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

Schengen – ID-free travel zone

What is it.

The Schengen area is a travel zone without borders between the 29 Schengen countries. It allows EU nationals and many non-EU nationals to travel freely without border checks. Since 1985, it’s kept growing, and now covers almost all EU countries and a few non-EU countries (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland). It guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU nationals.

Any person, irrespective of nationality, can travel between Schengen countries without going through border checks. However, national authorities can carry out police checks at borders between these countries and in border areas.

Having abolished their internal borders, Schengen countries have also tightened controls at their common external borders on the basis of Schengen rules to ensure the security of those living or travelling in the Schengen area.

See all the Schengen countries

Common visa policy

The common visa policy enables non-EU visitors to make transit or short stays to the Schengen area. A short-stay visa issued by one of the Schengen countries generally entitles them to travel through all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

In practice, this means that if you’re cleared to enter one Schengen country, you can travel to any of the other Schengen countries without having to show your travel document again.

Follow the links below for more information about your rights when travelling in the EU.

What can you take with you?

Information on what you can take with you when travelling in the EU, including pets, food, alcohol, tobacco and cash. Find out the luggage restrictions when flying from an airport in the EU and which EU countries use the euro.

Air passenger rights

Information on where and when EU air passenger rights apply and how to make a complaint. Find out who to contact if you need help or advice with your claim.

Assistance for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility

Information on your rights if you’re travelling in the EU with a disability or reduced mobility. See if you’re entitled to an EU disabled parking permit.

Further information

Using the euro

Share this page

Travelling in Europe

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Scotland , See advice for Wales

If you’re planning to travel in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein you should:

check the latest travel advice on GOV.UK - there might be extra rules because of coronavirus

check your passport is valid for the dates you’re travelling

get travel insurance

find out if you’ll be charged more to use your mobile phone

check you’ve got everything you have to take if you’ll be driving, for example a UK sticker for your car

check you’ve got the right documents if you’re taking your pet

Check your passport is valid for the dates you’re travelling

You’ll need to renew your passport if either:

there’s less than 3 months left on your passport at any time while you’re travelling - check your passport to find out when it expires

your passport is 10 years old or more on the day you enter the EU country - count this from the date your passport was issued

You can check if your passport will be valid for your trip on GOV.UK . You’ll need to search for the country you’re going to and click on ‘entry requirements’.

Apply for your passport as early as you can - it can take several weeks to process in busy times. If you need to renew a passport urgently, you can book an appointment for the 1 week Fast Track service on GOV.UK .

Get travel insurance

If you're a UK resident and have an existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can still use it to get state provided healthcare in EU countries until it expires. You can also use an existing EHIC in Switzerland if you’re a UK national, Swiss national or EU citizen.

You can’t use an existing EHIC in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein - you’ll need to get a new one instead.

You might be able to apply for a new EHIC if before 1 January 2021 you started being one of the following:

an EU citizen living in in the UK

a Norwegian, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Swiss national living in the UK

a UK student studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland

a UK state pensioner living in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland

You might also be able to apply for an EHIC if you're a family member or dependant of someone who’s eligible.

You can apply for a new EHIC for free on the NHS website - you can apply up to 6 months before your existing EHIC expires. You should be careful if you see other websites offering EHICs, they’ll usually try to charge you.

You might be able to apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead if:

you don’t have an EHIC

your EHIC has expired

you’re not eligible for an EHIC

You might also be able to apply for a GHIC if you're a family member or dependant of someone who’s eligible.

You can use a GHIC to get ‘medically necessary’ healthcare in EU countries at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Medically necessary healthcare means any treatment that can’t wait until you get back to the UK. You can also use it in Switzerland if you’re a UK national, Swiss national or EU citizen. If you’re travelling to Norway, you can use your UK passport for medically necessary healthcare.

You can apply for a GHIC for free on the NHS website .

You should still get travel insurance before your trip - even if you have an EHIC or GHIC. An EHIC or GHIC won’t cover the cost of travel back to your own country if you’re ill - this is known as ‘repatriation’. Repatriation can be very expensive.

If you have an existing illness or health issue

Most travel insurance won’t cover you for any illnesses or health issues you already have. If they do, you'll usually have to pay more money.

It’s important to tell your insurer if you have any existing health issues before buying insurance. If they can’t cover you, they should recommend a specialist insurance company that can.

If you have an EHIC or GHIC, it might allow you to get routine medical care for existing illnesses or health issues. You should check with the healthcare provider in the country you’re travelling to first. Some treatments might need to be arranged before you travel.

Find out if you’ll be charged more to use your mobile phone

You might have to pay more to use your mobile phone in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Before you go, ask your mobile phone service provider what the charges will be for using your mobile phone abroad.  

Make sure you understand how to turn off mobile roaming on your phone if you’re worried about extra charges. This is usually in the phone’s ‘settings’ menu under ‘mobile roaming’.

If you want to use data abroad, check with your mobile provider to see if you have a data bundle that can be used abroad. If you don’t have a bundle or you’ve used it up, you’ll be charged for data.

You can ask your mobile provider if there’s a limit to how much data you can use abroad. If there’s no limit, you can tell them to set a limit on how much you want to spend.

Your mobile provider will tell you when you’re about to reach the agreed limit.

If you’re driving abroad

If you’re planning to drive in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you'll need to take:

your driving licence and vehicle log book – you should check they’re up to date first

a UK sticker for your vehicle

a hired vehicle certificate – if you’re hiring or leasing your vehicle

an emissions sticker if you’re going to a European city that needs one - you might need to apply a few months before you travel

You might also have to take other things like a reflective jacket or a warning triangle sticker – it depends where you’re going. Check what else you need to take if you’re driving abroad on the AA’s website.

Check your driving licence and vehicle log book are up to date

You’ll need to take your driving licence with you. If it’s about to run out, you’ll need to renew it at least a week before you travel. You can check if your driving licence is still valid and order a new one on GOV.UK.

You’ll also need to take your vehicle log book (V5C) with you. If you don’t have one, you can order a replacement log book  from DVLA. Ask for it at least 6 weeks before you go. You’ll have to pay a fee.

Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP)

You might need to get an IDP to drive in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland if you have a paper driving licence. You don’t need one if you have a UK photo driving licence. You might need more than one IDP if you’re driving in more than one country.

You can check if you’ll need an IDP  for the countries where you’ll be driving on GOV.UK.

You can get an IDP at the Post Office. You’ll need:

a full valid UK driving licence - photocard or paper

a passport-sized photograph

£5.50 application fee - for each IDP

your passport if you’re taking a paper driving licence

You must be 18 or over to get an IDP.

Get a UK sticker

You’ll need either:

a number plate that includes the UK symbol

a UK sticker on the back of your vehicle - you can buy this

You must use a UK sticker if you’re going to Spain, Cyprus or Malta - even if your number plate includes the UK symbol.

Check your insurance

You’ll need the right insurance to drive abroad. Check with your insurance company that your policy covers you and how long you can drive outside the UK. You might need to pay extra to drive abroad.

Check if you need a hired vehicle certificate

If you’re taking a hired or leased vehicle abroad you’ll need to take a VE103 vehicle on hire certificate with you to show you’re allowed to drive it. 

You can get a VE103 from your rental or lease company. You can also find other organisations where you can get a VE103 on GOV.UK . You might have to pay a fee for a VE103.

If you’re hiring a car abroad

You might have to share your online licence information when you pick up the car - this is information that isn’t on your photo licence. You can get a ‘check code’ to share your driving information with someone on GOV.UK . The code is valid for 21 days.

Insurance is usually included when you hire a car, but you should check it’s enough for your needs. You can sometimes pay more for extra cover.

Travelling with your pet

If you have a UK pet passport it won’t be valid anymore. 

Your pet or assistance animal will need:

a microchip

a rabies vaccination

an animal health certificate - unless you have a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland

tapeworm treatment for dogs - if the country you’re going to requires it

Talk to your vet at least 10 days before you plan to travel for advice on what you need to do and how much it'll cost. Prices can vary between vets so it's a good idea to contact other vets to compare costs. You can also check what to do when taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad on GOV.UK .

Help us improve our website

Take 3 minutes to tell us if you found what you needed on our website. Your feedback will help us give millions of people the information they need.

Page last reviewed on 01 January 2021

Travelling in Europe Without A Passport: Everything You Need to Know

Travelling in Europe without a passport for a short stay (less than 90 days) is possible. It all depends on where the traveler is coming from and where they are going on the continent. To better understand the regulations, we must first distinguish between three entities:  

Europe is a continent made up of about 50 countries, including the 27 member countries of the European Union and the 26 member countries of the Schengen Area. 

The European Union is a supranational political and economic organisation with its own institutions (such as the European Parliament). It is based on a single market that guarantees four freedoms of movement between Member States, including the free movement of people. It is composed of 27 Member States:

- Germany  - Austria - Belgium - Bulgaria (currently joining the Schengen Area) - Cyprus (outside Schengen) - Croatia (currently joining the Schengen Area) - Denmark - Spain - Estonia - Finland - France - Greece - Hungary - Ireland (outside Schengen) - Italy - Lithuania - Latvia - Luxembourg - Malta - The Netherlands - Poland - Portugal - Czech Republic - Romania (currently joining the Schengen Area) - Slovakia - Slovenia - Sweden.

The Schengen Area is a zone of free movement of people, which means without systematic identity checks at internal borders. It includes 22 of the 27 EU Member States and 4 Associate States: - Germany - Austria - Belgium - Denmark - Spain - Estonia - Finland - France - Greece - Hungary - Iceland (non-EU) - Italy - Latvia - Liechtenstein (non-EU) - Lithuania - Luxembourg - Malta - Norway (non-EU) - The Netherlands - Poland - Portugal - Czech Republic - Slovakia - Slovenia - Sweden - Switzerland (non-EU)

You Can Travel in Europe Without A Passport If...

- You are a citizen of one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above), - Your destination is one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above), 

If these two conditions are met, then you can travel in Europe without a passport, even by plane. However, you will need a valid national identity card. 

Are you traveling in the Schengen Area? You can cross the borders between Schengen Area countries without an identity check, but be aware that you may be subject to checks once in the country. So remember to keep your valid passport or ID card with you at all times.

  Don't Forget Your EHIC

At least 2 weeks before departure, don’t forget to apply for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card covers all European Union citizens for medically necessary health care during a stay in a European Union country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Do you need additional insurance to cover repatriation and, depending on your situation, supplement national health care coverage? With Europ Assistance's Schengen travel insurance, you can choose between two policies with 24/7 emergency travel assistance in any Schengen Area country for as long as you wish. 

You Need A Passport for Travel in Europe If... 1/2

- You are not a citizen of one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above), - Your destination is one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above), 

In this case, traveling in Europe without a passport is not permitted. Upon arrival in a Schengen Area member country by plane or train, you must show your valid passport, issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months after your planned exit date. But that's not all. 

  Would You Like to Travel in the Schengen Area for Less Than 90 days for Tourism, Business or to See Family?

Depending on your nationality , in addition to a valid passport, a Schengen short-stay visa (type C or uniform Schengen visa) may be required. Finally, whether or not you have a visa, the border police may ask for supporting documents upon your arrival in a Schengen member country, including:  - Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay  - Proof of sufficient financial resources (amount differs depending on the Schengen country) - A return ticket or proof of sufficient financial means to book one - Documents justifying the reason for your trip (professional or personal) - Proof of insurance covering all medical, hospital and death expenses that may be incurred during your entire stay in France, including medical repatriation expenses. 

Choose peace of mind for your visa application or when crossing the border with Schengen travel insurance policies from Europ Assistance . Recognised and accepted by Schengen embassies and consulates throughout the world, our policies cover your medical expenses for up to 60,000 euros in case of illness or accident in one of the Member States of the Schengen Area, as well as additional coverage, available here .

  Would You Like to Travel in the Schengen Area for Paid Work and/or A Stay of More Than 90 days?  

Whatever your nationality (outside the European Union and the Schengen Area), you must apply for a work visa or a long-stay visa (type D) directly from the country you wish to visit. Find out everything you need to know about long-stay visas in France here .

You Also Need A Passport for Travel in Europe If... 2/2

- You are a citizen of one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above), - Your destination is a country on the European continent that is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen Area. 

Are you a French citizen? Find out which identity document (passport, national identity card) and, if applicable, which visa you need to travel to your destination in Europe with this official simulator .  Are you a citizen of another country? Check with the embassy or consulate of the European country where you wish to travel.  

  Entering France with a Schengen Visa from Another Country

You can do so if your Schengen visa allows it. To check, read the Schengen visa sticker affixed to your passport. If it says SCHENGEN STATES, this visa authorises you to enter all the countries of the Schengen Area. If the initials of one or more countries are indicated, it means that a territorial restriction applies. In this case, you can travel only to the listed countries. More information is available here .

If you are a citizen of a country that does not require a visa to travel within the Schengen Area for less than 90 days, you can travel to all Schengen countries. However, you must respect the 90-day period, which includes all countries.    Can I Travel in the Schengen Area with A Receipt?

The document referred to here is a residence permit receipt. According to the law, it is a “document that proves that your application for a residence permit at your prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of residence has been received. It authorises you to stay in France for the specified period.” The interpretation of these words leads us to answer that no, you cannot travel in the Schengen Area with a receipt. 

Would you like to return to France with a receipt after leaving the Schengen Area?  If you have a receipt for your first application for a residence permit, you must apply for a return visa at the French consulate in the country where you are staying.  If you have a residence permit renewal receipt, you can return to France with your receipt, your expired residence permit and a valid passport. In both cases, you will have to prove that you meet the entry requirements (proof of residence, financial resources, etc.).   

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.

An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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 .

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 .

• Get a Passport
• Renew a Passport
• Get a Passport Fast
• Courier Services
• Passport Information

The Passport 3 Month Rule - Country Requirements & More

Home » Passports » How to Obtain a U.S. Passport

Are you ready to plan an international trip? Before booking your tickets and traveling abroad, make that the validity of your passport is up-to-date. One crucial part of this process usually overlooked by people is the 3-month rule enforced by certain countries.

Even if your passport has not expired yet, there are places you cannot travel to or through unless you have at least 90 days' worth of validity remaining before the expiration date. These passport requirements are not negotiable.

If you are looking to travel internationally, you need to be prepared with a passport that will allow you to travel to and through all the countries on your itinerary.

Short Summary

• The 3-month passport validity rule requires passports to be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended date of arrival, with exceptions and special cases.
• It is important to research entry requirements, obtain necessary visas in advance, and verify a passport's expiration date before traveling.
• If your passport does not have enough validity remaining, you will need to apply in person at a regional passport agency. Alternatively, our expert advice is to enlist the help of a registered passport expediting service to get your passport renewed as fast as possible .
• Emergency situations may require contacting one's home nation embassy or consulate to apply for emergency passport renewal service .

Click for reliable expedited passport courier service .

Understanding the 3-Month Passport Validity Rule

The 3-month passport validity rule mandates that a passport is valid for up to three months after the anticipated date of arrival. This regulation is in place to prevent illegal residency and guarantee travelers possess legal passports throughout their stay. Simply put, if you don't have the right travel documents, countries will deny you entry across their borders.

It's important for people intending to travel abroad to be informed about their destination country's rules about expiring passports. These differ from one nation to another.

While some countries require just a 3 month validity period, others might have different passport validity requirements. Some simply require a valid passport at time of entry. Many countries require more.

For example, many countries impose 6 month passport validity rules where individuals must have at least six additional months left before their passport expires. In some cases, requirements include other validity periods based on the nature of the traveler's stay and the corresponding visa.

To learn more, be sure to check out our guide to the six month validity rule for passports . We also maintain a list of countries that require six months of validity for entry.

Europe, The Schengen Agreement, and the 3-Month Rule

Many European countries are a part of the Schengen Agreement. This decades-old agreement between 27 European countries was designed to make travel within member nations faster, more efficient, and less expensive.

The agreement requires travelers to have valid passports during their stay, and it is governed by a 3-month passport validity rule. This same rule is also imposed by most other non-member nations across Europe in order to ensure that visitors do not overstay beyond their visa period.

Because of this common policy, countries can more efficiently monitor movement at their borders while reducing any risks connected with extended visits.

If you are planning to travel to Europe, be sure to read more about the Schengen Agreement , its rules, and its history.

Countries with a 3-Month Passport Validity Requirement

Again, passport validity is a critical factor for anyone planning international travel. Many European countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement require passports to be valid at least three months after an intended date of departure, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain among others.

Aside from these nations within Europe's borders, other non-European states impose this same 3 month passport rule too. Albania, Guatemala, and Panama being some popular examples.

It is important to research the passport policies for each country you plan on visiting. This is the only way to make sure you don't have hiccups during your travels due to invalid passports or failure to meet requirements regarding particular validity periods (which may also include six month rules). Ensure your U.S. passport holds sufficient time before leaving home by double checking beforehand!

Schengen Area Countries

The following countries are part of the Schengen Agreement and require 3 months of validity remaining on your U.S. passport:

*Travel through the microstates of Monaco , San Marino, and Vatican City are also governed by the Schengen Agreement.

It's necessary that all people in transit through any of these 27 signatory nations are certain their passports maintain at least 90 days of validity throughout the duration of their travels.

Other Countries That Require 3 Months Passport Validity

Be advised that passport validity requirements can change with little notice, so please pay attention to these rules when traveling internationally so you don't stumble upon unexpected complications!

For instance, be sure to pay attention to whether the three month validity rule is calculated based on your date of entry or anticipated date of departure from your desitnation country.

As of 2023, the countries listed below have a 3-month validity rule for U.S. passport holders:

Traveling to Countries with a 3-Month Rule: Tips and Advice

When it comes to passport validity, researching the passport requirements and regulations of each destination country is key to a successful trip.

Check your passport expiration date

Check if you need a visa.

Certain countries might require a travel visa while others allow you to enter without one. Visas are issued based on why you are traveling (e.g. tourism, school , work , business , etc.). The types and lengths of each visa is determined by each country's bilateral agreements with the United States.

Like passports, visas can take time to acquire, so make sure any permits are obtained well in advance of your trip. Even though some countries offer visas on arrival , there can be issues if you are relying on this type of service.

Be prepared for emergency situations.

Even if you plan on a short trip to a destination with a low (or no) validity rules, you want to be sure you are covered in case you have to stay longer due to a medical or personal emergency. Should you need to travel internationally in a hurry, you want to be sure your passport allows you to take the most direct and efficient route without having to worry about whether your passport has enough months remaining before it expires.

As a rule, it is wise to prepare yourself before any trips by having contingency plans ready just in case anything unpredicted may occur during your trip abroad. There is a chance an unexpected emergency may require you to travel to or through a country with a three or six month validity rule. If your passport has plenty of validity left, this is something you won't have to worry about.

In case of an emergency abroad, such as a lost or stolen passport , you should contact the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy for help. You will not be able to continue your travels without a passport-no matter what the validity rules are for the countries you need to travel to or through.

Based on over 20 years of helping readers with their passport related questions, our best advice is to maintain a valid passport with at least 9 months of validity or more. When your passport gets within a year of its expiration date, don't delay; renew it!

How to Renew Your Passport and Reset Your Passport Validity

Again, if you plan to travel internationally and your passport will not be valid for three months or more, don't wait. Renew your passport as soon as possible. This will ensure you have access to any country that allows American travelers-even if it has a three or six month validity requirement.

To get yourself a new or renewed passport, you need to send an application form along with the required supporting documentation , current passport photos , and pay the passport application fees .

It should be taken into account that the time needed for this renewal process may vary, so making sure everything's in order beforehand can help avoid issues during travel plans. Currently, the time to process a passport application is 6 to 8 weeks . An expedited application will be processed in 2 to 3 weeks .

Be sure to take into account these current processing times for renewal applications before planning any international trips. Also be advised that you will need to submit your current passport as part of the passport renewal process. This means you will not be able to travel internationally until your renewed passport arrives.

Visit our complete guide to renewing a U.S. passport for step-by-step instructions for how to get your passport renewed and our best tips for speeding up the process.

Expedited Passport Services

For those who require a new passport or need to renew theirs in a hurry, expedited services are available. Choosing expedited passport renewal on your application can save you several weeks of waiting for your new travel document, but it may not be fast enough for your needs.

For a faster passport renewal, you can try to make an appointment at one of the 26 regional processing agencies across the U.S. Know that you will need to demonstrate a need to travel internationally within 14 days. This option also includes several additional costs that must be considered.

The fastest and most efficient way to get a passport renewed is through a passport expediting service . These professionals use their expertise and experience to get you a passport faster than you likely can on your own. While they charge a fee for their services, these fees are often much less than what it costs to travel to a regional passport agency on your own and potentially wait days for your new passport to be issued.

Should you opt to go this route, consult our directory of top passport expediters .

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i travel with less than 3 months on my passport.

When planning any international travel, it is important to ensure that your passport will be valid for the duration of your trip and beyond. You should have at least three months remaining on your passport before going abroad. Many countries may require a validity period of six months or more.

Most airlines refuse boarding if you don't meet this requirement, so make sure you check in advance! To avoid issues while traveling overseas. For maximum travel flexibility, make certain that there's still enough time left on your passport by checking that it is valid for at least six months after departure dates from each destination on your itinerary.

Can I travel with 2 months on my passport?

Most countries require that your passport remain valid for a minimum of either three or six months beyond the duration of your trip. If you are planning to travel to one of these locations, you can't travel with only two months left. You likely will not even be able to board your international flight as most airlines deny boarding if relevant passport requirements for the destination country are not met.

To make sure that you are able to have a secure and safe journey, be certain to check all details in advance like dates or other information about any passports used before taking off.

However, some countries require only that your passport is valid upon entry. For peace of mind, always be sure your passport has enough extra validity remaining to account for any potential emergencies or disruptions to your travel plans.

Can I travel to Mexico if my passport expires in 3 months?

As long as your passport is still valid for the duration of the trip, you may go to Mexico even if it's expiring in three months. Mexican travel regulations don't mandate any minimum validity period for passports.

Can I travel to Canada if my passport expires in 3 months?

You can go to Canada as long as you have a valid passport during your stay-even if it's expiring in three months. Canadian travel requirements do not have any minimum validity period for U.S. passport holders.

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry? 2. What exactly does a passport expediter do? 3. Are passport expediting services legitimate? 4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor? 5. Is expedited passport service worth it?

You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting .

Get the Latest Updates

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Judge fines Trump $9K for violating gag order as testimony continues in N.Y. hush money trial

Estonia does not plan to deport ukrainian men with expired passports.

Anneli Viks, adviser of Estonia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, has announced that Estonia will not compel Ukrainian citizens residing legally in the country, including conscription-age men who fled due to the war, to return to Ukraine, as reported by ERR .

"Mobilization is an issue that concerns the state and its citizens. The Ministry of Internal Affairs does not have a plan for the forced repatriation of citizens of Ukraine who legally reside in Estonia and fled because of the war, in particular, citizens of Ukraine who belong to the target group of a possible Ukrainian mobilization," said Viks.

Read also: Estonia proposes $130 billion annual plan to give Ukraine ‘what it needs to win’

As of April 26, 6,500 Ukrainian men aged 18-60 had a residence permit in Estonia based on temporary protection.

Viks said that if citizens of Ukraine of mobilization age can no longer exchange their expired passports for new ones at the Ukrainian embassy, they will lose the opportunity to travel.

However, according to her, the absence of a valid travel document does not limit the possibility of submitting an application for obtaining or extending a temporary residence permit (including on the basis of temporary protection).

Read also: Restrictions on consular services for Ukrainians in Germany will not affect their refugee status

"The current procedure also allows identification or confirmation of a person based on other evidence. However, a foreigner cannot apply for a visa without a valid travel document," the official said.

As of the end of April, about 31 thousand refugees had a valid residence permit based on temporary protection in Estonia.

Temporary suspension of consular services for Ukrainian men

Read also: EU withholds criticism on Ukraine's consular service ban for men

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry ordered all diplomatic institutions to temporarily stop providing services to men of conscription age, except for processing documents for returning to Ukraine , Ukrainian newspaper ZN.UA reported on April 22.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba confirmed this information on April 23. Later, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry published a clarification regarding the provision of consular services to men of conscription age, calling it a temporary step.

"After the law on mobilization enters into force on May 18, 2024, the process of accepting and considering applications for consular actions will continue taking into account the new requirements arising from the provisions of the law," the MFA explained.

Poland and Lithuania declared their intention to help Ukraine return conscripted men. The German government announced that Ukrainians will be able to stay in the country even with an expired passports, and the decision of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to stop providing consular services to men abroad will not affect their refugee status.

Poland ready to help Kyiv to bring military-age men back to Ukraine

Lithuania to consult EU on returning Ukrainian draft-age men

The Cabinet of Ministers issued a resolution prohibiting the issuance of documents to men aged 18 to 60 who are outside Ukraine through DP Document on April 24.

Adviser to the head of the Presidental Office Mykhailo Podolyak announced that there will no longer be remote issuance of documents to Ukrainians abroad on April 26.

The Passport service has issued a clarification that men of conscription age will no longer be able to obtain passports abroad, with some exceptions.

On the same day, Poland's Interior Minister Marcin Kerwinski said that Poland would continue to provide protection for refugees, including men without passports .

Read also: Ukraine hasn't asked Poland for help returning draft-age men — Ambassador

We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron !

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine

Recommended Stories

Jamie dimon is worried the us economy is headed back to the 1970s.

JPMorgan's CEO is concerned the US economy could be in for a repeat of the stagflation that hampered the country during the 1970s.

Biden is sending $61 billion to Ukraine. Much of it will pass through the US economy first.

Washington is spending another $61 billion to help Ukraine. But most of the money will flow through the US economy first.

House to vote on antisemitism bill amid campus protests over the war in Gaza

While it’s expected to pass, the resolution will likely expose a bitter divide between moderate and progressive Democrats over the war in Gaza.

What US taxpayers will get for another $61 billion to Ukraine

Congress is finally providing more of the aid Ukraine needs to survive. Here's why this is money well spent.

Biden is getting antsy about rising gas prices

The president isn't saying so, but the administration's behind-the-scenes actions reveal a fear that rising gas prices could doom his reelection effort.

What Trump is signaling with his possible Treasury and Fed picks

Donald Trump is floating ideas for his economic team much earlier than in elections past. But he is once again embracing loyalists and well-known figures from the worlds of Wall Street and Washington.

Key takeaways from Supreme Court hearing on whether Trump has presidential immunity that shields him from criminal trials

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in a landmark case regarding former President Donald Trump's bid for criminal immunity. Here are the key takeaways.

The FCC will vote to restore net neutrality later this month

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to vote to restore net neutrality later this month. With the Democrats finally holding an FCC majority in the final year of President Biden’s first term.

New inflation reading reinforces Fed's higher-for-longer stance

Another hot inflation reading released Friday reinforces that any near-term interest rate cuts are less likely, as the Federal Reserve shifts to a higher-for-longer stance.

Iran launched 200 drones and missiles in a retaliatory attack on Israel. How we got here, and what happens next.

Here's what to know about the latest in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Starlink terminals are reportedly being used by Russian forces in Ukraine

Starlink internet terminals are reportedly being widely used in Ukraine by Russian forces. There’s a thriving black market for the devices which stretches beyond Ukraine into Sudan.

Kristi Noem says she shot and killed her dog. What to know about the South Dakota governor's recent controversy.

The controversial politician revealed in her new book that she killed her dog.

Will the Supreme Court help Trump avoid his election trial by siding with him on presidential immunity?

This week, the Supreme Court held a nearly three-hour hearing on whether Trump can be held criminally liable for trying to undo his 2020 election loss — or for anything else he did during his presidency.

How Jay Powell and the Fed pivoted back to higher for longer

Fed Chair Jay Powell and other Fed officials struck a more hawkish stance this past week, setting off a new debate across Wall Street about how the rest of 2024 could play out.

Supreme Court weighs Idaho abortion case on emergency care, Trump allies indicted in Arizona and a big 'Masked Singer' reveal

The stories you need to start your day: Idaho’s abortion case, a ‘Masked Singer’ reveal and more in today’s edition of The Yodel newsletter.

Republicans (?!?) are killing a tax cut

In a flip of the usual priorities, Senate Republicans seem likely to kill a set of tax cuts that have already passed the House and are broadly popular. Here's why.

Trump Media stock tanks as new filing reveals heavy losses, 'greater risks' on Trump's involvement

After a strong debut last week, shares of Donald Trump's media company were under pressure Monday after meager sales and deep losses were revealed in a new filing with the SEC.

Here’s who will pay for Biden’s student loan cancellations

Cancelling student debt is a windfall for the borrowers who benefit, but taxpayers foot the bill.

US cities’ mansion taxes see mixed results

A handful of US municipalities have implemented some form of a mansion tax. But what once seemed a promising populist answer to worsening home affordability could now be compounding the problem.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have spread across college campuses. What exactly do protesters want?

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations continue to grow at a number of major U.S. universities. They have all made it clear that they are all against Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza, but what can they really do about the conflict in the Middle East from a college campus?Here's a look at what protesters are really demanding from their demonstrations.

New Greek Resorts, Golden Visa Countries And More Travel News

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

5 New Greek Hotels For Summer

W ith summer fast approaching, there are recently opened hotels and resorts in Greece to consider. From popular escapes such as Mykonos and Santorini to the lesser-known islands across the Aegean chain, here are five new Greek hotels worth checking out —and into.

10 Incredible Cruise Ship Features

For many years, the trend in cruise ship design has been that “bigger is better”—with vessels such as Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas setting new passenger records. But many cruise lines are also competing by offering innovative features to the high seas. From kart racing on multi-level courses to multiscreen movie theaters, here are some of the most incredible activities on cruise ships right now.

Disney World Earns Its First Michelin Star

Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort—which has been a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant since 2018—added a new star to its constellation this month: It became the first Disney restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star . Located at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World, Victoria and Albert’s is known for its opulent Victorian era-inspired meals. A prix-fixe dinner is $295 per guest, with optional wine pairings starting at $155 per person. Unlike the rest of the theme park, a formal dress code is encouraged for all diners, who must be 10 years of age or older.

Golden visas—which grant residency and/or citizenship through an investment—may be disappearing from Europe, but many EU countries are now luring travelers with digital nomad visas, which grant travelers the legal right to work remotely for an extended period. Italy recently became the latest country to offer the visa and here are other EU countries with digital nomad visas .

America’s Best Airlines 2024

The personal-finance website WalletHub recently announced its annual ranking of the best U.S. airlines . The study evaluates the nine largest national airlines and one regional carrier across a range of criteria, including safety, on-time records and overall service. This year, Alaska Airlines was named the best airline in America, beating out Delta, which ranked first in 2022 and 2023. The survey also ranked U.S. carriers based on reliability and comfort.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions