Passport confusion

Mrs_Binxtoria

I am really confused with the new passport rules.  My current passport was issued 23.05.16 and expires 23.06.26, does this mean that I have to get a new passport for travel to Greece as technically it has a span of 10 years and 1 month?

Caz3121

Mrs_Binxtoria said:

does this mean that I have to get a new passport for travel to Greece as technically it has a span of 10 years and 1 month?

this will not be an issue for you until 2026

for travel to Greece

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’) - your date of issue is 23/05/26
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’) - your expiry date is 23/06/26

Ms_Chocaholic

My understanding is that the expiry date of your passport is actually 23 May 2026 as it's 10 years from date of issue so it must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave - so you would have to leave by 23 Feb 2026 (or 22nd to be on safe side).

Mrs_Binxtoria

Thanks for replies but I am still so confused. I have just renewed my passport online and am now worrying that it won’t be less than 10 years old when I travel!!!

Caz3121

there is/was no need to renew your passport for the next few years. 
the issue is more for people that had many more months added

example someone travelling tomorrow - 25th August 2022
passport issued 25th July 2012 with an expiry date of 25th February 2023 (could previously have up to 9 months added)
they would be refused boarding as their passport was issued before 25th August 2012 - so more than 10 years before

Mrs_Binxtoria

Aah that makes sense. I have paid for a new passport now so will need to go with it. Hope it comes in time. 

Or should I just forfeit the £75 and keep my current passport?

Mrs_Binxtoria

for travel to Greece

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’) - your date of issue is 23/05/26
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’) - your expiry date is 23/06/26

So my next really daft question would be if I received my new passport for example on the 2nd October would it be issued less than 10 years for travel on the 23rd October.  I'm kind of guessing it would be ok if all these people are getting last minute passports for travel?

Mrs_Binxtoria

Yay panic over!!!  I spoke to a really nice lady at the passport office who advised me that rather than cancelling my application I keep it open as I have 80 days in which to complete the application.  This means that I can keep my current passport which is valid and then complete the application when I get back from holiday which will be on day 68, day 69 at the post office to send my passport back.  This means that I don't lose my application fee I will just be renewing my passport 3 years earlier than I should have done.

She also reassured me that just because I have put a renewal application in it won't cancel my existing passport that only happens when it gets sent back to them.

Thank fully I can go on holiday and more importantly I can get some sleep tonight as I am shattered from overthinking.