Television travel experts warn of passport mistakes that are “catching people” when traveling to the EU. Chelsea Dickenson, known as The Cheap Holiday Expert, shared his advice on a recent episode of his passport! Podcast.
In a video shared later on @cheapholidayexp Instagram, experts explained that, contrary to popular belief, they don't need six months in their passport to travel to the EU. But she said there is another common mistake British tourists are making.
Chelsea explained: “To visit the EU, your UK passport is: valid for at least three months from the date you leave the EU (check this date against the passport expiration date) and issued on the day you enter the EU within the last 10 years (check that date with the passport issuance date).
“These last people have spent more than 10 years on their passports in the past, and these last people have been kicked out.
“They're making this so confused, they won't do this anymore. But those who have passports issued before 2017 may realize this is theirs,” she added. “So don't catch me.”
Fortunately, there are online tools you can use to check the validity of your passport, including those offered by confused.com.
Guidance is available on Europe, the official European Union website. “If you are a citizen of a non-EU country that wants to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a valid passport and perhaps a visa.
“The passport must be valid for at least three months from the date you plan to leave the EU and have been issued within the last 10 years. This means that travel documents must be issued on the day you enter the EU, provided that they are issued within the last 10 years and are valid after the end of your stay.”
You can also find guidance on gov.uk. As stipulated, if you are staying within 90 days of 180 days and visiting as a tourist or for other reasons, you are not required to have a visa for a short trip to the EU or countries in the Schengen region.
These other reasons include obtaining treatment, short course research, travel for business for UK employers, journalism and other media activities. However, if you want to work or stay for more than 90 days, you may need a visa or permit, Liverpool Echo reports.
You should always check the entry requirements of the country you are visiting before your trip. This can be done here.
