People jetting off for a holiday have left confused by passport rules, with some even being told they are not permitted to board their flights due to their documentation being invalid.
Prior to the UK's exit from the European Union, passports were valid up to their expiration date for EU travel — however they must now have a few months left before the expiry date.
The confusion holidaymakers have felt is a result of airlines and the UK Government issuing conflicting advice regarding the subject.
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According to the UK Government website, travellers are required to have at least three months left on their passport before being permitted to enter an EU country.
However, some airlines require more than this — with some needing as much as six months left before the expiry date.
How much time left is needed on the passport is also dependent on the country being visited — and the travel document must have been issued within the last 10 years.
People renewing their travel document early used to be given a 'rebate' of unused months, meaning a traveller who renewed their's six month early would be issued a passport with 10 years and six months validity.
Passengers have been turned away at airport gates for having documents that fail to meet new rules, it has been reported.
So, what are the rules for airlines?
Passport rules for each airline
Ryanair
Ryanair requires all passengers to have a valid passport before travelling to any other country.
For those travelling outside of the European Economic Area (EEA), the passport must be valid for the duration of travel, except for the following countries:
- For travel to Jordan, the passport must be valid for six months beyond the period of the intended stay.
- For travel to Turkey, the passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry.
- For travel to Montenegro, the passport must be valid for at least three months.
- For travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the passport must be valid for at least three months.
People with a non-EU passport who are visiting a Schengen member country need to ensure that their passport is valid for at least three months from the date they will leave the Schengen member country, unless the person has a Schengen-issued residence permit or long-term visa.
EasyJet
EasyJet states that all customers travelling internationally must have either a valid EU/EEA/Swiss National Identity card or Passport — as well as a Visa when required.
The passport must be in suitable condition and must be signed.
For entry into certain countries, the passport must be valid for a minimum period beyond the trip — normally three or six months.
UK travellers entering the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland must ensure that their passports both have at least six months left on it (the requirement of most European countries is to have a minimum of three months left on your passport on the day after your intended departure from the EU), and must be no more than 10 years old on the date of travel.
British Airways
International travellers must ensure that their passport — or equivalent travel documentation — is valid for the full length of their trip.
Additionally, children require their own passports — even those under the age of two.
All UK passport holders should check the updated government advice regarding passport validity requirements. You are responsible for ensuring you have valid documentation for travel.
How long should you have left on your passport?
If your passport is close to the expiry date, you may not be permitted to board your flight.
According to the Post Office: "While most countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA, just need your passport to be valid for the length of your stay, other countries such as China, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey need at least six months. You need to have at least six months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).
"In general, many countries that require a visa to enter will require at least six months validity on your passport when entering the country, so make sure you find out whether your passport has long enough before it expires before you travel."
Passport rules for different countries
All countries will have their own rules concerning passport validity and expiration rules. Here’s a list of the most common ones:
Australia
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
Barbados
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
Canada
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay, but if you have less than six months validity it may take longer to pass through immigration control.
China
Your passport should have at least six months validity.
Egypt
Your passport should have at least six months validity.
European Union
For most European countries, HM Passport Office recommend that on the day you travel you have at least three months left on your passport. Those countries are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
India
Your passport must be machine readable, with two blank pages for your visa and valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.
Japan
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
Mexico
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
New Zealand
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of one month from the date of exit.
Singapore
Your passport should have at least six months validity.
South Africa
Rules state that your passport should be valid for at least 30 days from the date of exit, but it’s recommended that you have at least six months on your passport before it expires. Your passport should also have at least two blank pages when you enter or leave South Africa.
Thailand
Your passport should have at least six months validity.
Turkey
Your passport should have at least six months validity.
USA
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. However, your passport must be a biometric ePassport with the silver camera symbol on the front. There are also a number of other rules concerning entry to the USA, which you should check before travelling.
