uk passport expiry.. France

[PG’s trips]

travelling to France next week (flying) for 5 days but just realised my UK passport expires on 22 February 2022. Some govt sites say there should be at least 3 months validity left on passport. has anyone encountered problems at border control because of this?!

 

[tonka]

Only info i can pass on is that my wife follows a few Benidorm groups on facebook.
She has mentioned a few times that there were posts about people being turned back at the airport because they did not have enough time on their passport, also something about the date they are issued and not adding extra time on..

Best to double check the rules, maybe call the airline

 

[Dutch 68]

travelling to France next week (flying) for 5 days but just realised my UK passport expires on 22 February 2022. Some govt sites say there should be at least 3 months validity left on passport. has anyone encountered problems at border control because of this?!

Yes, six months is also the norm these days,

 

[loutalucat]

<Broken link removed>ou can check
https://www.gov.uk/track-passport-application

 

[two]

You might just get one over the counter if you go to a passport office.

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[PG’s trips]

I have looked at advice again. Three months validity is a recommendation not a requirement. If you have proof that you are returning to the Uk before your passport expires then that is fine. Problem is you are in the hands of a border force officer!!

 

[loutalucat]

Sorry! I posted the wrong link

https://www.gov.uk/check-a-passport-travel-europe

 

[deleted79651]

I have looked at advice again. Three months validity is a recommendation not a requirement. If you have proof that you are returning to the Uk before your passport expires then that is fine. Problem is you are in the hands of a border force officer!!

Sec 1.5 [starting at Page 15] of the Border Guard's Technical Manual continues at the top of Page 17:

'do not interrogate the traveller as a potential criminal or illegal immigrant.
All questions should be well balanced and asked in a friendly way;
– questions posed by the traveller should not be considered as intrusive and
should be answered in a factual and polite manner.'

Steve

 

[knickam]

I have looked at advice again. Three months validity is a recommendation not a requirement. If you have proof that you are returning to the Uk before your passport expires then that is fine. Problem is you are in the hands of a border force officer!!

When was your passport issued?

 

[TDub49]

travelling to France next week (flying) for 5 days but just realised my UK passport expires on 22 February 2022. Some govt sites say there should be at least 3 months validity left on passport. has anyone encountered problems at border control because of this?!

This should tell you:

Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK

Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.

check-passport-for-travel-to-europe.homeoffice.gov.uk

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[Richard J]

Two friends of mine caught out going to France this week; Not allowed to board aircraft as has extra time added at last passport renewal but that doesn't count. And the 3 months is after the expected return to UK, not from arrival in EU. It is expected you will be there 3 months, even for a weekend trip. So trip out needs to be 9 years 6 months from passport issue date, not expiry, to be safe

 

[nicholsong]

Sec 1.5 [starting at Page 15] of the Border Guard's Technical Manual continues at the top of Page 17:

'do not interrogate the traveller as a potential criminal or illegal immigrant.
All questions should be well balanced and asked in a friendly way;
– questions posed by the traveller should not be considered as intrusive and
should be answered in a factual and polite manner.'

Steve

Tell that to US Immigration!