Passport issues for European holidays

SandyG60

My current full adult passport was issued on 31/8/2018 and runs out on 31/5/2029 - valid for 10 years and 9 months.  I am confused by the information I am hearing as to it's validity regarding travelling to Europe. I understand that people whose passports have OVER 10 years between issue and renewal are being refused travel due to a new rule brought in after Brexit. We are hoping to travel to Spain with our Grandchildren next year and I would be grateful if anyone could give me any advice as to what I can do to forstall issues at the airport/me being refused travel. Many thanks.

la531983

SandyG60 said:

My current full adult passport was issued on 31/8/2018 and runs out on 31/5/2029 - valid for 10 years and 9 months.  I am confused by the information I am hearing as to it's validity regarding travelling to Europe. I understand that people whose passports have OVER 10 years between issue and renewal are being refused travel due to a new rule brought in after Brexit. We are hoping to travel to Spain with our Grandchildren next year and I would be grateful if anyone could give me any advice as to what I can do to forstall issues at the airport/me being refused travel. Many thanks.

Yes and no, you have slightly misunderstood the rules. It wont be an issue for you for years, however once you get into 2028 it will become an issue.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/travelling-in-europe/

Nobody who has a passport with 5 years left on it is being refused travel, if you could link us to an instance where someone has I would be greatful.

Emmia

The rule now is your passport expires 10 years from issue date - so 31 August 2028. Those extra months no longer count.

You also need for the passport to have at least 3 months of validity after the day you plan to leave the EU - so you would need to have completed your last trip on the passport by 31 May 2028.

Essentially you just need to make sure you plan your trips carefully in 2028, and ensure you have time for renewals.


Information on this is published on gov.uk 

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

Caz3121

Emmia said:

The rule now is your passport expires 10 years from issue date - so 31 August 2028. Those extra months no longer count.

You also need for the passport to have at least 3 months of validity after the day you plan to leave the EU - so you would need to have completed your last trip on the passport by 31 May 2028.

Essentially you just need to make sure you plan your trips carefully in 2028, and ensure you have time for renewals.


Information on this is published on gov.uk 

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

not quite correct (and a common misunderstanding which the airlines also originally messed up and ended up having to compensate passengers for)

For Europe (as per the link) there are two separate rules that must both apply

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)- issue date is 31/08/18 so passport good for trips to Europe entering up to end August 2028

• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’) expiry date is still 31/05/29 so, in OPs situation, would cover the three months after end August

For non-Europe the 10 year rule does not apply so could, for example, go to USA as long as leave before 31/05/29

ABTA example https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/planning-and-booking-a-holiday/passports-and-visas
"If your current passport was issued before 1 October 2018, you might have had extra months from your previous passport added to its expiry date. These extra months do count towards the required three months that you will need on your passport on the day you plan to leave, but it does mean that it’s even more important to check that your passport will also be less than 10 years old on the date you enter the EU. "