Passport Expiry Question

McDaniel · 18 Feb 2011 at 09:50

Folks,

Just been invited to a weekend away in Belgium at the start of April and for cheapness - I have accepted and just checked my Passport which is Expires May 2011... I know with the USA if it's within 6months to the expiry they don't normal let you in; is it similar within the EU?

I know I can send off for a new Passport but not sure if I can afford it just yet!

Thanks!

Anchundan · 18 Feb 2011 at 09:52

I'm pretty sure that's just for applying for visas. If your passport is in date and you don't need to get a visa for Belgium, you should be ok.

Badgi · 18 Feb 2011 at 09:55

You should be fine to travel anywhere in the EU, as long as you're back in the UK when the passport expires.

The Geezer · 18 Feb 2011 at 10:08

You should be alright as we are member states - you must have a valid return ticket which definitely brings you home before your passport expires. Sounds a little tight for me even if it is EU travel.

Disclaimer - check with the travel agent or the Beguim Consulate for a definite answer

Cosimo · 18 Feb 2011 at 10:08

You should be ok but ring to check:

http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1034.htm

Juniper · 18 Feb 2011 at 10:09

Yeah, you're fine as long as the passport is valid for the duration of your trip if you're travelling within the EU.

Goliath · 18 Feb 2011 at 10:13

I'd strongly suggest you check with the airline as well - some of them (budget airlines especially) have "different" rules to the official version!!

McDaniel · 18 Feb 2011 at 10:14

Eurostar Goliath - but I will ring around later if not try and get the Passport sorted out just in case!

IceBus · 18 Feb 2011 at 12:18

Also check the actual expiry date, if it's less than 1-2 weeks after you return home I wouldn't do it just in case you hit a delay or a volcano explodes.

lynchy6789 · 18 Feb 2011 at 13:24

If it helps im travelling to amsterdam on the 3rd-6th march and my passport runs out on the 14th March and spoken to foreign embassy and its all fine as long as im coming back before passport expires

McDaniel · 18 Feb 2011 at 22:48

lynchy6789 said:
If it helps im travelling to amsterdam on the 3rd-6th march and my passport runs out on the 14th March and spoken to foreign embassy and its all fine as long as im coming back before passport expires

Cheers Dude!

ic1male · 18 Feb 2011 at 22:54

Why do we even need passports to travel within the EU? If you walked across the border from France to Belgium or Spain to France, etc. there are no longer any border posts. Why does the bit of water in between us and "them" matter? The UK driving license should be a valid ID?

Destination · 19 Feb 2011 at 00:09

ic1male said:
Why do we even need passports to travel within the EU? If you walked across the border from France to Belgium or Spain to France, etc. there are no longer any border posts. Why does the bit of water in between us and "them" matter? The UK driving license should be a valid ID?

Well unlike the 'backward' and 'free' UK, many countries of the world require anyone within its bounds to carry ID on them at all times.
France for one, it is an offence, citizen of traveler to not be carrying ID.

IceBus · 19 Feb 2011 at 02:29

ic1male said:
Why do we even need passports to travel within the EU? If you walked across the border from France to Belgium or Spain to France, etc. there are no longer any border posts. Why does the bit of water in between us and "them" matter? The UK driving license should be a valid ID?

We didn't sign Schengen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_agreement