UK Issues Passport Rule Update For those Travelling To Spain And EU
Spain News
Published: 16 May 2022 15:58 CET
With the summer holiday season fast approaching which will see millions of British holidaymakers flock to Spain and other European destinations, the UK Foreign Office has taken the opportunity to issue an update to clarify the latest rules on passport validity.
Travelling between the UK and Europe became more difficult for many British travellers following the UK’s departure from the bloc.
In recent months there have been numerous stories of British travellers being turned away from flights due to their passport expiry dates not adhering to the current rules.
As a result of the confusion, the Foreign Office has issued a clarification of the validity rules, updating its advice for 33 countries including those within the Schengen area.
What are the current rules for British passport holders?
Since the UK left the EU following the Brexit referendum, it is now considered a ‘third country’ by Spain meaning that it must follow the rules set out for such nations.
The rules are not new and not unique to British passport holders.
According to the latest announcement from the UK FCO, "If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.
"Your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- Valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
"You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
"Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to."
Travellers are advised to make sure they check the issue date of their passports rather than just the expiry date.
Following delays in the issuing of passports which in some cases can take up to 10 weeks to be renewed due to backlogs caused by the pandemic, travellers are also advised to renew their passports well in advance of their holidays.
It comes as the Spanish government extended its ban on unvaccinated non-EU tourists from entering the country until at least June 15th.
Source
https://murciatoday.com/uk_foreign_office_updates_passport_advice_for_travel_to_spain_and_eu_1776278-a.html
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/foreign-office-issues-passport-rule-26973476
