UK travellers urged to check passports ahead of new Schengen area rules

UK travellers to countries across Europe have been advised to check their passport validity due to new Schengen area rules.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO) issued travel advisories on Wednesday for 29 countries, including France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

The update highlighted new Schengen entry requirements being introduced from October 12.

Travellers from the UK were advised that each of the European countries follows Schengen area rules.

According to the FCDO, passports must:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)

The FCDO added: “Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passpor if you need to.

“You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has either been reported lost or stolen or is damaged.”