10-year passport rule: is yours valid for EU travel?

Times

07-06-2025

One of the fastest ways to kill your pre-holiday good mood is to find out shortly before you fly — or worse, at the airport itself — that your travel documents aren't in order. However, some visitors to EU destinations are still falling foul of post-Brexit checks, because having an unexpired passport doesn't automatically mean that it will be deemed valid abroad.
So what do you need to watch out for if you're planning a trip to Europe? You'll need to check that your passport is less than ten years old on arrival, and has an expiry date at least three months after the end of your stay. The only exception is if you're visiting Ireland, part of the Common Travel Area with the UK.
These rules also apply to four non-EU countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — which, together with 25 of the 27 EU countries, form the Schengen Area. As Schengen nations have an open border with each other, they also share the same passport validity requirements.
So if you're planning a trip to an EU country or one of the four mentioned above, here's what you need to know.
EU countries require travellers from 'third countries' — anywhere outside the EU — to have a passport that's less than ten years old on the day of their entry to a member state and valid for at least three months after the end of their stay. Since the UK left the EU, this rule has applied to British passport holders.
Previously the UK Passport Office allowed up to nine months remaining on an old passport to be carried over to a new one. This meant that some passports issued before October 2018 had more than ten years of validity. After Brexit, EU countries no longer recognised this extension, which is why passports now need to be less than ten years old.
The only exception to this rule is Ireland. This is because Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area with the UK so the rules are slightly different.
If you are travelling to multiple destinations, check that your passport and other documents cover all stops on your itinerary. For example, if you are travelling to a country where your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your stay, but you have a stopover in the EU where the above rules apply (or somewhere such as Dubai or Singapore, which require at least six months' validity remaining after arrival), then you will also need to make sure your passport meets these requirements. Speak to your travel operator if in any doubt.
A valid passport is essential for travelling outside the UK. For travel to the EU and European Free Trade Association (Efta) countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), it needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months left on it after you intend to leave.
The only exception is if you are going to Ireland, where you can travel until your passport expires. To visit Ireland, British nationals don't actually need a passport — although airlines typically insist on it — and can use another form of official photo ID.
Depending on where you are travelling to, for what purpose and for how long, you may also need to get a visa. After Brexit, British citizens are permitted to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days out of 180 for leisure visits, after which a visa or other permit may be needed. You will need to check the specific entry requirements for each individual country you're visiting. From late 2026, you will also need to successfully apply for an Etias visa waiver before you travel.
• When does the Etias scheme start for UK travellers?
If you are planning to drive or hire a car, you will need to take your driving licence, and in some cases an international driving permit (IDP). Those taking their own cars across a border will also need relevant insurance and vehicle registration details, as well as a UK sticker displayed prominently on the vehicle. There may be additional requirements depending on your destination.
• Driving in Europe: all the requirements and rules you need to know
When travelling to EU countries, you may want to apply for and take your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This free benefit replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for most UK nationals after Brexit. It entitles you to medically necessary public health care, which will either be free or subsidised. In some cases, having the card with you is a requisite for ensuring your travel insurance is valid.
In most cases, you will need your passport to travel to Europe. Ireland is the only exception, although the government still advises taking your passport with you, and airlines will typically insist on it.
If you have lost your passport while abroad, you may be able to apply for an emergency travel document. These cost £125 and you may need to attend a British embassy in person after you have applied online. The document contains your exact itinerary, and if you decide to change your plans at the last minute you will need to pay for a new one.
If your passport is damaged, you should replace it before you travel, as it may not be considered valid. HM Passport Office consider a passport damaged if any details cannot be read, there are rips, cuts, holes (including the cover) or missing pages, the cover is coming away, or there are stains such as water damage.
In theory, you could travel with an expired passport between certain countries in Europe, because land borders within the Schengen Area are open and ID checks are only carried out in exceptional circumstances. For example, the Spanish government has said that its citizens may enter the country on an expired passport or ID card after its authenticity has been checked; however, a valid travel document is still required to leave the country via an external border. In the case of the UK, your passport will be checked at the relevant border controls and you will need to make sure it's valid for travel.
Like most countries in the EU, Spain requires those travelling on a British passport to have at least three months remaining after the date you plan to leave. You also need to check that it is less than ten years old on arrival.
• Read our full guide to Spain
For Greece, the usual EU passport validity rules apply. This means it needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months left after the date you plan to leave.
• Read our full guide to Greece
EU passport validity rules also apply in Portugal. So your passport needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months remaining after the date you intend to leave.
• Read our full guide to Portugal
For entry into the US, your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. You will also need an Esta or visa for entry.
• Read our full guide to the US
Turkey requires UK passport holders to have at least 150 days left on their passports after arrival. It also needs to have a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps.
• Is it safe to travel to Turkey right now?