Can I still use my current passport whilst applying for a new one, if it is still valid?

[Deleted User]

my passport was issued on January 2014.My travel dates are all in the EU. Do I have to renew for my trip to Germany for October 14th returning on October 19th?

tightauldgit

eskbanker said:

tightauldgit said:

In fact, I'd say given that you are within 6 months of your passport expiring...

But they're not!

[Deleted User] said:

My current passport end date is 16th June 2024

As above, the most appropriate guidance will depend on which countries OP plans to visit....

Yeah, you're right, I've totally b'loxed that. Blame lack of sleep. 

Ignore what I said earlier. Passport is valid until expiry date. So you need to ENTER EU before January and EXIT EU before March. 

tightauldgit

bexoxo60 said:

my passport was issued on January 2014.My travel dates are all in the EU. Do I have to renew for my trip to Germany for October 14th returning on October 19th?

No. I completely mis-spoke and just confused things.

You have 10 years from issue to enter - so enter by January 2024

And you have to leave 3 months before EXPIRY - so leave by March 2024. 

hildasmuriel

Just FYI, my passport came back in less than one week on renewal (in June). I applied Saturday and got it back Wednesday. My husband's came back on Thursday. 
A colleague renewed hers last month and got it back in 4 days.

Seems a new system is making standard renewals very quick.

eskbanker

For anyone interested, there's a site collating and reporting average turnaround times on a daily basis:

https://www.passportwaitingtime.co.uk/

[Deleted User]

Having spoken with the  passport office, I cannot go to Germany for my October trip (as they require a minimum of three months on left on passport). I am short of two days. So I have booked a Fast track appointment for next week and will get it done then. Yes it is more expensive, but for piece of mind it is vital. Just a point however, I spoke with two agents at the passport office and they gave conflicting information. It really is a minefield and so when my husband's comes up for renewal, we are now armed and informed. Thanks to everyone who gave advice.

[Deleted User]

tightauldgit said:

[Deleted User] said:

My passport start date was 13 January 2014 therefore I assume it is usable until 13th January 2024?

It will be valid until the end of the 12th January 2024 but you also need to check the validity that the country you are visiting requires. For example, for the EU you need 3 months from the date of exiting the EU so you would have to be leaving the EU by 12th October 2023 for your passport to be valid for the trip.

Where are you going? It could well be that your passport won't work for your October trip and needs to be renewed before then. 

Yep this is the case. I have booked a Fast track appointment. Better to spend a little more on an appointment than to lose my holiday!

Caz3121

bexoxo60 said:

Having spoken with the  passport office, I cannot go to Germany for my October trip (as they require a minimum of three months on left on passport). I am short of two days. So I have booked a Fast track appointment for next week and will get it done then. Yes it is more expensive, but for piece of mind it is vital. Just a point however, I spoke with two agents at the passport office and they gave conflicting information. It really is a minefield and so when my husband's comes up for renewal, we are now armed and informed. Thanks to everyone who gave advice.

not the first time it has been reported that Passport Office are giving out incorrect information

To travel to Germany

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’) - yours was issued January 2014 so all fine there

• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’) - your expiry date is 16th June 2024 so all fine there too

No issues with using your current passport to travel to Germany in October


The poster you quoted above was incorrect also - the expiry date is the one printed on your passport not a manual calculation from the date of issue

[Deleted User]

This whole issue has been a major headache. It is very confusing, and just by looking at all the responses from this Post, it demonstrates how confusing it is as many of the responses differ. Being a frequent traveller, I need a passport as I travel at least once a month, so the normal method of applying wouldn't work for me anyway. Whilst I am going to Germany in October, I am also in Austria in September, and their requirements are that they 'prefer' six months left on the passport. What I don't want is to turn up to an airport, or to fly, and then be refused entry. At least by paying the £60 extra, and using the Fast Track option, I feel much happier. Paying a little more money, and possibly even being prepared to lose a couple of months off my old passport is, for me a better option for piece of mind. The whole thing is very messy and many websites just state 'check the requirements of the country you are visiting', but when you do, it is unclear. 

eskbanker

bexoxo60 said:

At least by paying the £60 extra, and using the Fast Track option, I feel much happier. Paying a little more money, and possibly even being prepared to lose a couple of months off my old passport is, for me a better option for piece of mind.

Just to be clear, if you're renewing this month, then you're losing ten months if your existing one expires in June 2024, or five or seven months by other measures applicable to EU travel.

bexoxo60 said:

This whole issue has been a major headache. It is very confusing, and just by looking at all the responses from this Post, it demonstrates how confusing it is as many of the responses differ.

[...]

The whole thing is very messy and many websites just state 'check the requirements of the country you are visiting', but when you do, it is unclear. 

I'd suggest starting your research at the definitive sites (the UK FCO travel pages and the country-specific ones they link to), and only seeking any required clarification on very specific questions arising from that, rather than starting with a very broad query that's based on a misconception ("My current passport end date is 16th June 2024 so I know that I can use it (I believe) up until 16th January 2024...").