Bags are packed, flights are booked – it seems as if you are all set to go on your well-deserved holiday. But have you forgotten something? How about your passport? Because once you travel out of the country, it’s important to know your passport will be valid for your trip. Different countries have specific requirements to enter, and being unprepared could wreak havoc on your holiday. But don’t worry, our guide will explore all the different passport expiry rules to help get your travel plans in order.
Passport expiry rules: Everything you need to know
How long is a passport valid for?
In the UK, passports for individuals aged 16 and older are typically valid for 10 years, while passports for children aged 15 and younger are valid for 5 years. Some countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay.
What is the 10-year passport rule?
Since the UK’s departure from the European Union, travellers heading to countries within the Schengen Area must ensure their passport meets two key requirements. First, under the so-called “10-year rule”, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the Schengen zone — even if it appears to have time remaining. Second, your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from the EU.
Example: If you’re planning a trip to France from 10 May to 15 May 2025, your passport must have been issued after 10 May 2015 and remain valid until at least 15 August 2025.
When is a passport invalid?
A passport is invalid if your name, photo or other information are no longer correct. The passport is also considered invalid if the holder has lost their own passport, its validity has expired or it has been stolen.
Damaged passport: How do I know if I need my passport replaced?
A damaged passport can be a serious issue — and may prevent you from boarding your flight or being allowed entry into another country. The UK Passport Office defines a passport as damaged if it’s no longer in a condition to be accepted as a secure travel document.
Signs Your Passport May Be Considered Damaged:
The personal details page is torn, smudged, or unreadable
The lamination is peeling or lifting from the photo page
The passport has been wet or shows water damage
The chip (in biometric passports) is cracked or not working
There are stains, tears, missing pages, or significant wear and tear
Any unauthorised markings or writing on the pages
Even minor damage could cause problems, particularly when travelling to countries with strict border controls.
I forgot my passport – What to do now?
Forgotten Passport at the Airport
If you’ve arrived at the airport without your passport:
Inform airline staff immediately. They may be able to rebook you on a later flight (at a cost).
Contact someone at home who can bring the passport to the airport, if feasible.
Some airports have postal courier services, but same-day delivery is rare.
Are you having trouble with a flight delay and don’t want to accept it without doing anything? You shouldn’t either. After all, you are entitled to compensation in many cases of flight delays.
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When did the airline inform you about the flight cancellation / flight delay ?
On the day of the flight/less than 14 days before or More than 14 days before departure
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Forgotten Passport for Eurostar or Other International Rail
Even though it’s rail travel, you still need a passport for cross-border journeys (e.g. Eurostar to France or Belgium). Without it:
You will be denied boarding
You’ll need to reschedule or cancel your ticket
Forgot your passport abroad – get an Emergency Travel Document (ETD)
If you’re abroad and have lost, damaged, or forgotten your UK passport, you can apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). This is a temporary, one-use document issued by a British embassy or consulate that allows you to travel back to the UK or to a limited number of countries. To apply, you’ll need proof of identity (such as a copy of your old passport), a passport-style photo, confirmed travel plans, and you must pay a £100 fee. The ETD typically takes a few working days to process and must be collected in person. It’s only valid for a specific journey and cannot be used as a permanent replacement — you’ll still need to apply for a new passport once you’re home. You can start your application online at www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document.
Tip: Before going on holiday, always check the validity of your travel documents well in advance. This saves you trouble, time and expensive additional costs.
Can you travel with an expired passport?
Generally, no, you cannot travel internationally with an expired passport. Most countries require passports to be valid for a certain period, often at least six months beyond your intended stay.
As soon as you realise that your passport is no longer valid, you should get a new passport as soon as possible so that nothing stands in the way of your trip.
What to do if your passport has been stolen?
What should I do if my passport is stolen while I am on holiday? If your passport is stolen, you must file a theft report with the local police and then inform the embassy or consulate of your home country. You will then receive an emergency passport. At home, in your home country, you should then combine a report to the police with the foreign report.
It is important to act quickly to report the theft of your passport and apply for a new one, as this will help you prevent potential misuse and recover your travel documents as quickly as possible.
My passport has disappeared or expired shortly before travelling. What can I do?
If you are travelling for less than 2-3 days, an emergency passport can be issued (find more info on 1 Day Online Premium Service further down). Depending on the destination country, the validity of the emergency passport may vary. You should therefore check the validity of the passport before travelling. In some countries, entry with an emergency passport is only possible in combination with a visa.
I found the passport after all. Can I still travel with it?
If you have already reported your passport as lost or stolen, you can no longer travel with it, as it no longer authorises you to cross the border. The airline is therefore not allowed to carry people without an entry permit. If the airline refuses to carry you due to missing travel documents or an entry permit, you are no longer entitled to compensation. You should therefore always check the specific entry requirements with the relevant authorities.
Affected by a flight delay/cancellation/rebooking?
Passport Validity When Travelling Abroad
How long do you need on your passport to travel?
For travel, most countries require your passport to be valid for at least three to six months beyond your intended stay. Some destinations may have specific requirements, so it’s crucial to verify the rules of your destination country before travelling. This often includes checking if your passport was issued within the last 10 years and if it has sufficient blank pages.
How long does the passport have to be valid within the EU?
In the EU, the passport must be valid for at least three months after the planned end of the stay. However, many EU countries require that the passport be still valid for at least six months at the time of the planned departure.
Which countries do not require 6 months of passport validity?
Several countries do not require six months of passport validity and instead only require your UK passport to be valid for the duration of your stay. These countries generally allow entry as long as your passport remains valid throughout your trip. These are:
Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, China, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Namibia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Belize, Panama, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada.
What countries require 3 months of passport validity?
Countries in the Schengen Area generally require UK travellers to have at least three months of passport validity beyond the date they plan to leave the country. The following EU countries also only require 3 months’ validity: Albania, Bulgaria and Cyprus. Further, Belize, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nauru, Syria, Eswatini and Uzbekistan also only require a 3-month passport validity from your arrival date into the country.
Important: In addition to the 3-month rule, these countries also enforce the 10-year passport rule — your passport must have been issued within 10 years of your arrival date, regardless of its expiry date.
How long does a passport have to be valid for the USA?
For entry into the United States, a passport generally needs to be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. Some countries have agreements with the U.S. that exempt their citizens from this six-month rule due to the so-called “Six Month Club”. This club states that the passports of UK citizens only need to be valid for the duration of their stay. However, some airlines may still enforce stricter rules, so it’s always best to check before you travel.
These countries only require passport validity for the duration of your stay
Several countries only require passport validity for the duration of stay, including Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. This means your passport doesn’t need to have a specific expiration date beyond your intended visit.
Specific passport requirements for other countries
Some countries have their own unique passport validity rules that differ from the standard guidelines. Here are six examples with specific requirements for travellers:
Chile: Your passport must be valid through your departure date from the country.
Costa Rica: The passport’s expiry date must be at least one day after your planned exit date.
Maldives: Your passport needs to be valid for at least one month beyond your arrival date.
Micronesia: Passports must remain valid for at least 120 days after your arrival.
South Africa: Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 30 days following your departure date.
Turkey: A passport must be valid for at least 150 days after your arrival date.
These differing rules highlight the importance of checking passport validity requirements specific to each destination before travelling.
Getting a new passport: Everything you should know
When should you renew your UK passport?
You can renew your passport at any time, and you won’t lose any unused validity if you apply within the final year. For travel purposes:
Start your renewal at least 10 weeks before travel
Use HM Passport Office online services for the quickest turnaround
Fast-track and premium services are available (at a higher cost) if you’re travelling soon
What is the current wait time for a new passport?
In the United Kingdom, the standard processing time for a passport application is currently up to three weeks. However, if more information is needed, the expected wait time for a new passport can be up to 10 weeks. Further, busy periods such as the school summer holidays and Christmas will also cause a delay in receiving your new passport.
Can I get a passport urgently?
If you need a UK passport urgently, there are two main options: the 1 Week Fast Track and the 1-day Online Premium Service. The 1-week fast track is available for both adults and children — you book an in-person appointment and receive your new passport within one week. The expected costs range between £178 – £191 for an adult and £145 – £158 for a child.
The 1-day online premium service is faster but more limited; it’s only available for adult passport renewals with no changes to your details. After applying online, you attend an appointment and collect your passport on the same day. Expected costs range between £222 for 34-pages and £235 for a 50-page passport.
How much does it cost to get a passport?
You have to options to apply for a passport that vary in cost. Online passport renewals (made within the UK) are generally cheaper and costs £94.50 for adults aged 16 years or older. Online passports for children under 16 cost £61.50.
Postal passport renewals are more expensive; £107 for adults and £74 for children.
Age | Costs (online application) | Costs (paper form) |
|---|---|---|
Adult (16 and over) standard 34-page passport | £94.50 | £107 |
Adult (16 and over) 54-page frequent traveller passport | £107.50 | £120 |
Child (under 16) standard 34-page passport | £61.50 | £74 |
Child (under 16) 54-page frequent traveller passport | £74.50 | £87 |
Passport for people born on or before 2 September 1929 | Free | Free |
How can Flightright help you?
You are stuck at the airport because of a flight delay? Your flight has been cancelled, or you have been removed from the passenger list? In each of the situations described, you have a right to compensation as an air passenger.
Tip: Flightright helps you enforce your air passenger rights! With us, you can check your claims free of charge in two minutes. ✔️Easy, ✔️fast & without ✔️risk
According to the UK261 Legislation, passengers are entitled to compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation, overbooking, or missed connection. They can receive up to £520 compensation per person (minus the success commission). This compensation is independent of the ticket price. Flightright enforces your rights for you. If necessary also in court.
As experts on the subject of air passenger rights, we enforce your right to compensation against the airline! Flightright’s air passenger rights experts are also happy to help you with ticket reimbursements
