Crosswords2 mins ago
Passport
10 Answers
Hi does anyone know how long you need to have left on your UK passport if you are travelling to Spain?
Is it the normal 6 months or is it less due to being EU?
Seems the passport and foreign office websites are very vague on it so if anyone knows that would be great :-)
Thanks
Is it the normal 6 months or is it less due to being EU?
Seems the passport and foreign office websites are very vague on it so if anyone knows that would be great :-)
Thanks
Answers
Best Answer
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Firstly, there's nothing 'normal' about a 6 month validity requirement. It's largely a myth that most countries have such a requirement. The reality is that very few countries require 6 months validity on your passport.
Secondly, EU law requires that all EU countries must admit any EU citizen who can prove their citizenship by producing a valid passport or national identity card. You can arrive in any EU country with just a few minutes left on your passport's validity and you must be admitted.
The few countries which do require a certain length of time on your passport are generally concerned that your passport shouldn't run out during your visit, even if your stay has to be extended because you fall in and end up in hospital. Such concerns can't apply to EU countries because, once you've entered, you're never obliged to leave. (i.e. you have the right to enter Spain and stay there for the rest of your life, if you so choose).
Chris
Secondly, EU law requires that all EU countries must admit any EU citizen who can prove their citizenship by producing a valid passport or national identity card. You can arrive in any EU country with just a few minutes left on your passport's validity and you must be admitted.
The few countries which do require a certain length of time on your passport are generally concerned that your passport shouldn't run out during your visit, even if your stay has to be extended because you fall in and end up in hospital. Such concerns can't apply to EU countries because, once you've entered, you're never obliged to leave. (i.e. you have the right to enter Spain and stay there for the rest of your life, if you so choose).
Chris
Apology accepted, Pink-Kittens. You obviously didn't take Spanish at school ;-)
As P-K points out, Dakota seems determined to perpetuate the myth about the 6 month rule. It simply doesn't apply to the majority of non-EU countries which are popular with UK tourists. For example, Switzerland only requires that an EU passport should be valid until the date of departure from their country. A similar rule applies to holders of UK passports entering the USA (which has some of the strictest immigration requirements in the world).
At least Dakota and I agree about entry to Spain. As long as your passport is 'in date', you'll have no problems.
Chris
As P-K points out, Dakota seems determined to perpetuate the myth about the 6 month rule. It simply doesn't apply to the majority of non-EU countries which are popular with UK tourists. For example, Switzerland only requires that an EU passport should be valid until the date of departure from their country. A similar rule applies to holders of UK passports entering the USA (which has some of the strictest immigration requirements in the world).
At least Dakota and I agree about entry to Spain. As long as your passport is 'in date', you'll have no problems.
Chris
http://www.citybreaks-direct-info.co.uk/index. asp?city=murcia
You can travel to spain if you have a british passport even if expired for up to 12 mths see above link and airline as confirmed
You can travel to spain if you have a british passport even if expired for up to 12 mths see above link and airline as confirmed