Six month passport rule you need to know before your summer holiday
Six month passport rule you need to know before your summer holiday
It could be worth acting sooner rather than later to save you a bigger problem later on when you're at the airport
UK border signage is pictured at the passport control in Arrivals in Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport
(Image: Getty )
The question as to whether you can travel with a passport which is about to expire likely comes up more than you'd imagine, usually when someone's already booked a trip and finally checks their passport only to realise that it expires in four or five months.
It might feel like a small detail, but depending on where you are travelling to, it can be a trip-ending issue (which is definitely best to avoid). The six-month passport rule also isn't universal, but it's widely enforced.
Many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, not just until you leave. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
And even if the country itself is more flexible, the airline might still block you from travelling if your passport doesn't meet the rule.
For example, countries like Thailand, Egypt, and the UAE are strict about the six-month requirement.
The United States also expects UK travellers to have at least six months' validity, but most countries in the Schengen Area (France, Spain, Italy and so on) only require that your passport is valid for three months after your planned date of departure from Europe.
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Post-Brexit, UK passports must also be less than 10 years old when entering the EU, even if they appear to have time left which might catch some people out.
It's also not just about the country's border control, because airlines can be fined if they let passengers fly with incorrect documents, so lots of them might have varying rules.
The official advice from His Majesty's Passport Office outlines that people should check entry requirements before they travel, and should not assume your passport is valid just because it has not expired yet. If you're within six months of expiry, it is wise to renew.
Even countries that allow shorter validity can change their policies at short notice which is why relying on older guidance or informal advice online can be risky.
If you're unsure, you should check the entry rules directly on the FCDO website or with the embassy of the country you're visiting.
And if in doubt, it might be time to apply for a renewal early.
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It might sound like a minor hassle, but it could be worth acting sooner rather than later to save you a bigger problem later on when you're at the airport and ready to jet off on your adventures.
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