The most important facts about “passport validity”
- Passports are generally valid for five to ten years, depending on your place of residence and the regulations that apply there.
- Some countries require a passport to be valid for at least 6 months when entering the country
- It is therefore advisable to check the validity of your travel documents in good time before travelling.
- If your passport has expired, you must apply for a new one.
- As a rule, you must go to the authority responsible for your place of residence and submit the necessary documents
- Specific documents are often required, such as a birth certificate, identity documents, the passport of the other parent in the case of children’s passports or residence permits.
- If your passport is stolen abroad, you should file a theft report with the local police and then inform the embassy or consulate of your home country.
- If you need to travel within 2-3 days, an emergency passport can be issued.
- The validity of an emergency passport may vary depending on the country of destination.
Did you have a flight delay or cancellation? Check your rights now and increase your chances of compensation
If you’re planning to use your passport to travel abroad soon, it’s important to know how long it will be valid for. In this blog article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the validity of your passport, including when it expires and what’s needed to extend its validity. Read on to familiarise yourself with the conditions that apply to travellers.
Can passports expire?
Yes, passports can expire. Depending on your country of origin, the validity of a passport can be between one and ten years. It is therefore important to check the validity of your passport carefully before travelling.
Passport expired – What to do?
If your passport has expired, you must apply for a new one. As a rule, you must go to your local foreign office or a recognised passport office and submit the necessary documents. Normally you will also have to fill out an application form there. In addition, you will often have to submit specific documents, such as your birth certificate, identity documents, the passport of the other parent or immigration documents. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive your new passport after the regular processing time (which may vary depending on the country).
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.
We enforce your refund and compensation!
With us you can check your claims free of charge in two minutes. You can receive up to 520 pounds compensation per person (minus commission fee).
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
Have you also been affected by an overbooking, or a missed connection flight? Check your flight now. Simple ✔ fast ✔ & no risk ✔
The passport has expired and it was only discovered at the airport – what to do?
Passport expired: Discovered at the airport – what to do? At the airport, the shock is great when you realise that your passport is no longer valid. In this case, you can contact the Federal Police or the ID office to apply for a travel document (travel document replacement) when travelling within the EU. To do this, you must prove your identity (identity card) with an expired passport or a driving licence with a photograph. Some non-EU countries also accept this travel document.
For most destinations outside the EU, however, a valid passport is absolutely necessary and here you must obtain a passport provisionally. However, it is important to note that the requirements may vary depending on the airline and destination. We therefore recommend that you find out in advance about the specific requirements of your airline and destination to ensure that you will not have any problems when boarding.
Extreme case: Forgotten passport – What to do?
The nightmare of every air traveller: You are already at check-in and realise that you have forgotten your passport at home. In this case, there’s no time to lose! A travel document is an exceptional solution in the event that you have forgotten your passport. This passport replacement is issued by the Federal Police and takes around a quarter of an hour to process.
However, it is first checked whether all requirements are met and whether the travel document is accepted in the respective destination (the USA does not accept this document). The travel document costs a maximum of 8.00 euros, but is only valid for the duration (max. one month) of the respective journey. To be on the safe side, you should have a valid passport ready for longer journeys from the outset.
Our tip: Before going on holiday, you should always check the validity of your travel documents in good time. This saves you trouble, time and expensive additional costs and allows you to start your holiday much more relaxed.
How long is a passport valid after it expires?
Many air travellers ask themselves the following question; how long can a passport be used after it has expired? There is no universal answer to this question. Passports can be used for different lengths of time, depending on the regulations of the country of entry.
When is a passport invalid?
A passport is invalid if the name, photo or other information is 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.
How long is a passport valid for?
A passport is normally valid for five to ten years. Depending on which country you live in, certain conditions may affect the period of validity.
Validity Period – United Kingdom:
Biometric passports in the United Kingdom are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children. This applies to all passport holders regardless of age at the time of application.
Why does my passport have to be valid for another 6 months?
6 months validity of the passport – why does this rule exist? In many countries, there is a regulation that the passports of passport holders must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the respective country. A valid passport is required to travel abroad. In some countries, a visa or other form of entry permit is then issued, which is valid for 30, 90 or 180 days. This regulation is part of a law relating to border control and management and is intended to ensure that all persons who are legally in a country can identify themselves in an appropriate manner. However, it is advisable to ensure that your passport is valid for as long as possible to be on the safe side in the event of unforeseen situations and to avoid any bureaucratic hurdles.
Affected by a flight delay/cancellation/rebooking?
- Short distance flight delays – up to 1500 km – could entitle you to £220 compensation
- Medium distance flight delays – between 1500 km and 3500 km – could entitle you to £350 compensation
- Long distance flight delays – over 3500 km – could entitle you to £520 compensation
According to the UK261 Regulation, the amount of compensation is calculated according to the flight route:
| Short distance up to 1500 km | Medium distance up to 3500 km | Long distance from 3500 km |
| e.g. London – Edinburgh | e.g. London – Athens | e.g. London – Tokyo |
| £220 | £350 | £520 |
In which countries must the passport still be valid for 6 months?
Travellers wishing to fly on holiday must ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months after entry or beyond the date of departure. Popular holiday destinations where a valid passport is mandatory are:
Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, Fiji, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Morocco, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Venezuela, United Arab Emirates.
What happens if the passport is no longer valid for 6 months?
If the passport is no longer valid or has a validity of less than six months, it can be difficult to obtain an exit from the respective country. Some countries require that the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the planned return journey. If you are unable to fulfil this requirement, you must apply for a new passport in good time to avoid being stuck in the destination country (country of travel).
Can you travel with an expired passport?
The possibility of travelling with an expired passport depends on various factors, such as the country of destination, entry requirements, airlines and individual circumstances. In general, however, it is not possible to travel with an expired passport. As soon as you realise that your passport is no longer valid, you should get a new one (new passport) as soon as possible so that nothing stands in the way of your trip.
No, you cannot travel with an expired passport.
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. 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 travel with it?
If you have already reported your passport as lost or stolen, you should 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.
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 is still valid for at least six months at the time of the planned departure.
How long does a passport have to be valid for the USA?
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the planned departure date in order to enter the USA.
Who can apply for a passport?
Applying for a passport: Applying for a UK Passport: Any British citizen, regardless of age, is eligible to apply for a UK passport. For children under the age of 16, applications must be made by someone with parental responsibility. UK passports are issued by Her Majesty’s Passport Office, and can be applied for online or by using a paper form available from Post Office branches offering the Check and Send service.
How long does it take to process a passport?
Processing Time for a U.K. Passport: In the United Kingdom, the standard processing time for a passport application is up to 10 weeks. However, an urgent service is available, which can considerably shorten this time frame if you need your passport sooner. This expedited service is typically used under circumstances that require quick travel
Can my passport be renewed?
No, passports cannot be renewed (extended). Therefore, please remember to apply for a new passport in good time before your current passport expires. Please visit the website of your home country for more information.
Passport validity: Attention, a valid passport can prevent you from going on holiday
The flight and journey are paid for, the passport is valid and yet the dream holiday has already come to an end at the destination airport. This annoying scenario can be prevented with thorough holiday planning. This is because many countries are not simply satisfied with a passport that is valid for the duration of the holiday.
A passport must be valid for at least six months after your entire stay – this point should be taken into account when planning your trip to avoid any nasty surprises at your destination airport or even preventing you from returning home.
How can Flightright help you?
You are stuck at the airport because of a flight delay? Your flight has been canceled, 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