Passport within 6 months expiry during travel

samR21

We are due to travel to Greece next month and midway through our holiday, one of our passports becomes less than 6 months from expiry.

Done the online tool checker which says the passport is valid for travel to 08/09/2021. We go 5th - 12th.

On that basis no problem but it also says;

• We recommend that for travel to most countries in Europe to ensure that your passport has at least 6 months remaining. This includes:

• the minimum 3 months validity required from the date that you return plus up to 90 days to travel without a visa and
• will be less than 10 years old from the date that you return

First bullet point makes me uncertain as to whether we need 6 months from return date which would make the passport invalid.

Can anyone advise please? Any help appreciated.

I have rang passport office but surprisingly they cant advise!!

CKhalvashi

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements

3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area, if clearing immigration at a Greek airport.

samR21

Thank you.

Already read this but it doesn't mention the "plus 90 days to travel without visa" like the Gov.uk site does.

Assuming that is therefore not a requirement when returning from Greece?

CKhalvashi

samR21 said:

Thank you.

Already read this but it doesn't mention the "plus 90 days to travel without visa" like the Gov.uk site does.

Assuming that is therefore not a requirement when returning from Greece?

A government recommendation is not a rule, and it's up to Greek Immigration to set their own policies.

As stated though, that assumes you're clearing immigration in Greece, and not on a transit stop.

samR21

Suppose so.

& yes, just a week holiday to Greece.

I was fairly sure it would be fine but just wanted some reassurance or to see if anyone else had travelled with the same issue.

basill

Due to an impending trip to Malta with a unexpired but over 10,yo passport I have just renewed mine online.  For speed I had a my photo taken at a camera shop and returned the old passport special delivery.  The online application is very straightforward . I submitted on Thursday morning,  the application was approved the next day and I got the new passport on Monday morning.

if you decide to renew, there is time:-)