Do I have a Passport problem?

Norman-B

I have booked a late deal to Lanzarote, departing on the 28th Feb.
When I booked, I mentioned to the agent that my passport expired in May of this year. She replied that as I was going to Spain, there would be no problem with needing 6 months unexpired on my passport to enable me to enter and depart Spain.
I popped into Thos Cook today and I was told the opposite, that I must have at least 6 months on my passport. In a panic, I phone the Spanish Embassy and received a recorded message that informed me that as long as my passport was valid for entry and exit from Spain, no problem. But on the UK passport site, it states I need 6 months!
Help! Anyone able to clear this up, please.

peterg1965

try the Spanish Embassy website and the fco website see what they say. I am pretty sure that travel in the EU is on any valid passport, or, at worse, it must have 3 months to run.

morlandbanks

I've been trying to find this out myself, but without much luck. We're in Spain for a few days next month, but just realised my son's passport runs out in August. I'm hoping that you only need 3 months validity to get into Spain!! If anyone knows the facts...please share!!

alanrowell

EU country therefore all it needs to be is valid on the day of return

inkie

As it's the Spanish Embasy that will be letting you in (in theory), then go with their advice. I can't see the point of having to have X months left on a passport. They are valid for the time of travel, surely?!

Norman-B

Thank you for the replies. The Spanish Embassy state that the information given in the recorded message is sufficient and they will not give any further advice on the matter.
As posted earlier, whats the point of having 3/4/5 months unused on a passport?

tightrs

when you renew a passport they will carry over up to 9 months

rjh090384

i spoke to spanish embassy a while ago re this and they said as long as it was valid it was fine. i also phoned uk passport office and they said that it was valid to. think they have a list or soemthing about what countries require waht.

trets77

Be careful there have been posts in the past about Airlines refusing boarding due to this.

Spain may have no problem with it but if you don,t get there what good is that !!!!!!!

i would check with your airline about this as well and if it is not a problem get a written letter or e-mail from them confirming it. other wise the check in staff member who got out of bed the wrong side the day you fly might try to excercise thier one bit of authority they have in life and cause you problems. better to know and have the hassel now than chance it and have a whole heap of trouble when you should be enjoying yourself

if your going on Ryan don,t care or Sleazy Jet would be very sure !!! they love offloading and refusing boarding cause they can sell the seat again.

remember written confirmation !!! would not trust a phone assurance ( unless you can record it on your mobile )

you can get a quick passport by attending a interview at your local office and they issue it on the day plus add your remaining time from old passport ( does cost a little bit though)

Norman-B

trets77 wrote:

Be careful there have been posts in the past about Airlines refusing boarding due to this.

Spain may have no problem with it but if you don,t get there what good is that !!!!!!!

i would check with your airline about this as well and if it is not a problem get a written letter or e-mail from them confirming it. other wise the check in staff member who got out of bed the wrong side the day you fly might try to excercise thier one bit of authority they have in life and cause you problems. better to know and have the hassel now than chance it and have a whole heap of trouble when you should be enjoying yourself

if your going on Ryan don,t care or Sleazy Jet would be very sure !!! they love offloading and refusing boarding cause they can sell the seat again.

remember written confirmation !!! would not trust a phone assurance ( unless you can record it on your mobile )

you can get a quick passport by attending a interview at your local office and they issue it on the day plus add your remaining time from old passport ( does cost a little bit though)

I followed your advice and phoned the airline, who informed me that I was safe to travel.
Thanks for all the replies.

movieman

I can't see the point of having to have X months left on a passport. They are valid for the time of travel, surely?!

Most countries allow visitors to stay for three to six months. You enter for a week with a week left in your passport. You then extend the stay to six months.

Now what? You're in a foreign country with an invalid passport.