Your passport must be valid at least 3 months after the date you leave the Schengen Area and issued within the last 10 years. Biometric and non-biometric passports are both accepted, as long as they're recognized by European countries.
The two rules
The 3-month rule: if you leave Europe on 30 June, your passport must be valid until at least 30 September.
The 10-year rule: the issue date can't be more than 10 years before the day you enter. Watch out with older UK passports issued with up to 9 extra months of validity: what counts is the issue date.
Biometric or not?
Both are accepted. A biometric passport is only needed for EES self-service kiosks at some borders.
Passports and ETIAS
ETIAS is linked to your passport number. If you renew your passport, you'll need a new ETIAS. If it's close to expiring, renew before applying.
3 months or 6 months?
The legal rule for the Schengen Area is 3 months of validity after the day you plan to leave. You will often read "6 months": that is a common rule for other countries (and a safety margin some airlines and guides recommend), not the Schengen requirement. If your passport expires 4 months after your return, you meet the rule; if it's 2 months, you don't.
The 10-year trap for older British passports
Before September 2018, UK passports renewed early could include up to 9 extra months from the old passport, so some were valid for almost 11 years. For the Schengen Area what matters is the issue date: on the day you enter, the passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, whatever expiry date is printed. Check both dates.
How to check your passport in 30 seconds
- Look at the date of issue: add 10 years. Your entry date must be before that.
- Look at the expiry date: it must be at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen Area.
- Check it's undamaged: torn pages, water damage or a broken chip can lead to problems at boarding.
- If you'll renew soon, do it before applying for ETIAS, because ETIAS is linked to the passport number.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter if my passport expires in 2 months?
You'll normally be refused entry, except in exceptional cases. Renew it first.
Do children need their own passport?
Yes. Every traveler needs their own valid travel document.
Can I go to Europe with less than 6 months on my passport?
Yes, as long as it is valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen Area and was issued in the last 10 years.
Can I travel if my passport expires in less than 3 months?
You can technically apply for ETIAS, but the EU warns you will be refused entry unless there are very good reasons, such as humanitarian grounds. Renew first.
Is a damaged passport valid?
A seriously damaged passport can be rejected by the airline or the border officer. If the photo page or chip is damaged, replace it before travelling.
Keep reading
Sources
- European Commission: travel documents (ETIAS FAQ)
- Schengen Borders Code, Article 6
- Your Europe: travel documents for non-EU nationals
This guide is independent and for information only. Rules can change: before you travel, always double-check on the official ETIAS website and with the authorities of the country you're visiting.