Do you still need a passport?

Barneysmom

Do I have to get a passport to travel to France or Belgium now?
we want to go for a weekend to maybe Belgium market for Chritmas bits and bobs but our passports have expired.

Cazza

I think so yes, but the likelihood of it being checked is fairly low. It's s*ds law though that it would happen!

Barneysmom

Thanks Cazza, haven't been there for about 10 years, and it wasn't checked then :T

pennylane99

if you are travelling outside UK, yes you need a passport.

They are also checked when you return and re enter the UK

Tarry

Definetely need a passport. I wasn't checked going over but I got checked on the way back (twice)

jammin_2

pennylane99 wrote: »

if you are travelling outside UK, yes you need a passport.

They are also checked when you return and re enter the UK

If you are a British or Irish citizen:
You need a passport if you are travelling outside the Common Travel Area.

If you are another EEA citizen:
If your country issues National ID cards, you can travel to France / Belgium on that instead. No passport required.

pennylane99

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/europe/france1

Passport validity

All British passport holders require a valid passport. There is no minimum passport validity requirement but you should ensure that your passport is valid for the proposed period of your stay.


http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/europe/belgium

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for at least six months

Oldernotwiser

You would have to be absolutely mad to consider trying to travel abroad without a valid passport!

jaymac_2

We've been twice this year and our passports were checked each time in each direction. There are British customs officers doing the checking on each side.

jammin_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You would have to be absolutely mad to consider trying to travel abroad without a valid passport!

Or you'd have to be the holder of an EEA National ID card.

jaymac wrote:

We've been twice this year and our passports were checked each time in each direction. There are British customs officers doing the checking on each side.

Customs checking passports? What would HMRC think of that!

Oldernotwiser

I did wonder about the OP's use of the word "now". Seeing the current status of terrorist threats, I would think that "now" would be the very worst time to consider trying to travel without a passport!