Passport in Europe

[pmapp]

Howdy peeps,

My Euro trip is looming and something crossed my mind about my passport. I already know I need to carry it - that's hunky dory.

When I've gone on me jollies abroad I remember needing 6 months remaining on the passport. I've probably got about 4 months on it now - anyone know if this is OK for use in Europe (France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg & Brussles).

Taaaa in advance,
Phil

[ogden]

You should be fine if you're going on a bike.

Last time I rode through passport control at Dover (a couple of weeks ago) I didn't even have to stop, let alone show a passport - Frog immigration dude just waved me through without even having lifted my dark visor. It's been the same every time. One bloke on the last trip didn't even remember to take his passport with him and still got to France without any problems.

Once you're inside the Schengen area (ie. Calais and beyond) you can cross borders without passports. The only exception being Switzerland where I have seen people stopped entering on the motorway near Geneva.

The 6 months period typically is for places needing a visa and anywhere strange.

[ogden]

Originally Posted by the white rabbit

The 6 months period typically is for places needing a visa and anywhere strange.

The best place to check this stuff is at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office web site, they have a bit about passport validity for every country.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-...ountry/europe/

[pmapp]

Originally Posted by ogden

The best place to check this stuff is at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office web site, they have a bit about passport validity for every country.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-...ountry/europe/

Ah haaa, superb.

Just what I was after.


Thanks,
Phil.