Travelling in the EU

Your rights & eu rules.

As an EU national, you enjoy the right of free movement. This means you’re entitled to travel, work and live in another EU country. If you’re a citizen of a Schengen country  – which is most EU countries – you’re also free to travel to other Schengen countries without the need for border checks.

As an EU national, you can also benefit from EU-wide passenger rights for travel into, out of or within the EU by air, rail, bus/coach or ship. You can travel with pets and other animals in the EU provided you comply with the rules (pet passports). There are EU limits on taking alcohol, tobacco or cash with you to another EU country. Each EU country can set its own limits or restrictions, so check before you go.

Travelling to or within the EU? Follow the links below to check which documents you need to take.

Documents you need to travel in the EU

Information on travel documents needed by EU nationals, non-EU national family members, non-EU nationals and children when entering the EU or travelling across it. Find out what to do if you lose your passport or it expires when travelling in the EU.

Public Register of Authentic travel and identity Documents Online (PRADO)

View authorised travel and identity documents issued by EU countries and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

Schengen – ID-free travel zone

What is it.

The Schengen area is a travel zone without borders between the 27 Schengen countries. It allows EU nationals and many non-EU nationals to travel freely without border checks. Since 1985, it’s kept growing, and now covers almost all EU countries and a few non-EU countries (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland). It guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU nationals.

Any person, irrespective of nationality, can travel between Schengen countries without going through border checks. However, national authorities can carry out police checks at borders between these countries and in border areas.

Having abolished their internal borders, Schengen countries have also tightened controls at their common external borders on the basis of Schengen rules to ensure the security of those living or travelling in the Schengen area.

See all the Schengen countries

Common visa policy

The common visa policy enables non-EU visitors to make transit or short stays to the Schengen area. A short-stay visa issued by one of the Schengen countries generally entitles them to travel through all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

In practice, this means that if you’re cleared to enter one Schengen country, you can travel to any of the other Schengen countries without having to show your travel document again.

Follow the links below for more information about your rights when travelling in the EU.

What can you take with you?

Information on what you can take with you when travelling in the EU, including pets, food, alcohol, tobacco and cash. Find out the luggage restrictions when flying from an airport in the EU and which EU countries use the euro.

Air passenger rights

Information on where and when EU air passenger rights apply and how to make a complaint. Find out who to contact if you need help or advice with your claim.

Assistance for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility

Information on your rights if you’re travelling in the EU with a disability or reduced mobility. See if you’re entitled to an EU disabled parking permit.

Further information

Using the euro.

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Europe Passport Requirements: What You Need to Know Before Travel

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Kate H. Knapp

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Europe is a prime travel destination with 50 incredible countries to visit. It’s important to know what travel documents may be required before you go, however. Each country in Europe has different passport requirements to enter, but all require a valid U.S. passport when arriving from an international destination. Europe passport requirements allow that once you arrive, you can travel between certain countries without a passport, according to the Schengen Agreement , but you will need a passport to cross borders into those that are not part of the Schengen area and when you return home.

A good rule of thumb when visiting most European destinations is to carry a U.S. passport that has at least one blank page for an entry stamp and is valid for at least six months beyond your departure date. Be sure to check for any other requirements in the country you are visiting as soon as you book your tickets.

Europe Passport Requirements

Europe’s passport requirements vary for each of its 50 countries. Each country enforces its own mandatory rules for entering. All of them, however, require a passport for those traveling from an international destination, so it’s wise to make sure you obtain a passport as far in advance as possible before you travel. Most European passport requirements dictate at least one blank page for an entry stamp and a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your departure date.

As for traveling within Europe, some countries require a passport to cross borders, but 26 countries are a party to the Schengen Agreement , which means you do not need a passport to travel between these countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. There are three islands that are also part of the Schengen Zone, even though their borders are outside of the continent: The Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands.

How to Get a Passport Book for Travel to Europe

Apply for a passport as soon as your travel to Europe is confirmed. The cost will be greater if you apply for a passport within three weeks of travel time and need an expedited application. You can learn more about the requirements and documents needed to obtain a U.S. passport here .

If you already have a valid passport book, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your departure date and has at least one blank page for an entry stamp. If not, apply for a renewal passport at least three weeks before travel or pay a higher fee for an expedited passport.

Other Europe Travel Requirements

Visa : Varies by each European country

Vaccinations : No

So, Do I Need a Passport to Visit Europe?

In summary: Yes. Europe passport requirements state that a valid U.S. passport is necessary to enter any of its 50 countries. Once you arrive in Europe, you can travel between certain countries without a passport, but you will need a passport when departing. Most European passport requirements dictate a passport that is valid for at least six months after departure date and has at least one blank page for an entry stamp.

More Information When Visiting Europe

The U.S. Department of State provides detailed information, including travel advisories and passport validity requirements, to your destination country.

The European Travel Commission offers insightful tips on places to eat, play, and stay within Europe’s diverse countries and regions.

Protect Your Passport

We recommend investing in a passport cover or wallet to protect your pages from bends, tears and spills. It’s important to keep your passport in good condition for easy inspection. 

On travel days, only take your passport out during inspection. Otherwise, keep it stowed away in a dedicated section of your bag (if you keep it in the same place every time, you won’t ever scramble to locate it). Once you arrive at your destination, find a way to stow it securely. In-room safes or safe deposit boxes at the hotel front desk are generally good options, but if neither is available, you’ll need to decide how to keep your passport secure. You might consider keeping it in an under-clothing money belt that you wear, or leaving it in the hotel or vacation rental but locking it in your suitcase with a TSA-approved lock .

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More from SmarterTravel:

  • 5 Exotic Places Where You Don’t Need a Passport
  • How to Renew a Passport, Global Entry, and TSA PreCheck—The Ultimate Guide
  • How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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New requirements for Americans traveling to Europe postponed until 2025

Visitors who now travel visa-free will need to get approval prior to departure.

Americans eyed upcoming travel to European destinations slightly differently due to news of a requirement that was set to start in 2024 for U.S. passport holders. But now, EU officials have postponed the European Travel Information and Authorisation System ( ETIAS ) launch until spring of 2025.

SchengenVisaInfo.com, a website dedicated to the world's largest visa-free zone where 27 European countries abolished their internal borders known as the Schengen Area, first reported that an EU official confirmed ETIAS won't go live until May 2025, "due to continued delays with the introduction of the related Entry-Exit System (EES), which needs to be operational before ETIAS can be implemented."

An official for the European Union did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

What to know about ETIAS for US travelers

If you previously traveled to Europe without a visa, you will now need to apply for authorization through the ETIAS , before visiting.

PHOTO: Tourists with umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun at Colosseo area (Colosseum), during the ongoing heat wave with temperatures reaching 40 degrees, on July 19, 2023, in Rome.

Today, American travelers have visa-free access to 184 global destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index . And while the U.S. passport is currently ranked eighth-most powerful passport to own, that could be set to shift when the European Union adds its new documentation requirements for U.S. visitors.

The application form, which will be available on the official ETIAS website as well as a mobile application, has a fee of 7 euros or $7.79 U.S. dollars. All communication is done by email.

Once you are approved for travel, the authorization entitles visitors to stay in European countries that require ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period and travelers must be in possession of a valid ETIAS during their entire stay.

MORE: New warning issued for rebooking air travel after delays, cancellations

According to ETIAS, most applications should be processed within minutes, but in case an application takes longer, decisions will be sent within four days or up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation.

The European Union encourages travelers to apply for an ETIAS authorization "well in advance of your planned journey."

Confirmation of application submission will be sent on email with a unique number that is needed for future reference.

PHOTO: In this undated file photo, a tourist visa is stamped on a passport.

Upon receiving ETIAS travel authorization, travelers are to ensure that their name, passport number and other information is correct because any mistake will prevent them from crossing the border.

If an application is refused, the email will include the reasons for the decision along with information about how to appeal.

ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years, according to the EU, or until the travel document you used in your application expires, whichever comes first.

MORE: European heat wave breaking records with little relief in sight

The ETIAS authorization is linked to a person's travel document -- such as a U.S. passport -- and both documents will be needed to board a flight, bus or ship to enter any of the European countries that require ETIAS.

Similar to international border requirements with a passport, the ETIAS authorization doesn't guarantee automatic right of entry. "Border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions" and anyone who does not meet the conditions "will be refused entry," according to the EU.

Click here to learn more about the process from the European Union.

An earlier version of this story was originally published on July 21, 2023.

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ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

Ireland's new passport card approved for EU travel

Aug 20, 2019 • 1 min read

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Ireland  has launched a new passport card that will be accepted for travel within the European Union and the European Economic Area. The card will be available from mid-July to all Irish citizens who are over 18 and hold an Irish passport, Newstalk radio reports.

New Irish passport card

It will cost €35 and will be valid for a maximum of five years - or the remaining validity of a persons passport book. Unveiling the card in Dublin,  Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “The passport card will be particularly useful for young people who use their passport booklet as identification, especially on nights out.”

He also explained how it could be used as a back up to a normal passport. “Frequent travellers will find this particularly useful if their passport booklet is with an embassy as part of a visa application process. The new card will also provide a useful backup travel document within Europe in the event that someone loses their passport while travelling,” he added.

Traditional Irish passport

The card has incorporated a number of security features following advice from a number of sources, chiefly the Irish police force, An Garda Síochána, and includes an embedded hologram photo on a strip on the reverse. Coinciding with the announcement is the launch of a smartphone app which will make it very easy to apply for the card.

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eu travel card passport

Passport card

Where can you use it, how long is it valid, how much does it cost, methods of payment, how long does it take, lost, stolen and damaged passports, how to apply, changes to the passport card 2021.

The Passport Card is available to all Irish Citizens who hold a valid Irish Passport Book. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your Passport Book.

It is valid for travel to all EU Member States, the members of the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

It is recognised as a valid travel document by relevant national authorities.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and Switzerland.

At airports/ports

  • When travelling through airports, access to E-gates is determined by Local infrastructure.
  • A border official can also manually check the Passport Card.
  • 5 years at the most.
  • The Passport Card will match the expiry date of your Passport Book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining.
  • View Passport Card fees .
  • Pay by credit or debit card.
  • Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club International and American Express cards are accepted.
  • View our turnaround times .
  • See what to do and how to get a replacement .

You must apply online . You will save money if you get your Passport Book and Passport Card at the same time as part of a bundle.

Over 18 and hold existing Passport Book

  • You may apply for a Passport Card individually.
  • Your passport book must have at least 3 months remaining validity.

Over 18 with no Passport Book or Passport Card

  • You can get a Passport Card and Passport Book at the same time online as part of a bundle
  • You can only get a Passport Card with a Passport Book as part of a bundle which is an option you can select when renewing your child’s passport online.
  • Passport Cards for under 18s will be valid for the same period as the Passport Book.

The Passport Card was updated in October 2021 to change the strip at the rear of the card from a silver reflective (OSM) strip to a SealCrypt strip.

All Passport Cards remain valid until the expiry date on the card.

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Help with your application, photo guidelines, supplementary documents, second passport for business, top passport questions.

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Europ Assistance

Travelling in Europe Without A Passport: Everything You Need to Know

eu travel card passport

Travelling in Europe without a passport for a short stay (less than 90 days) is possible. It all depends on where the traveler is coming from and where they are going on the continent. To better understand the regulations, we must first distinguish between three entities:  

Europe is a continent made up of about 50 countries, including the 27 member countries of the European Union and the 26 member countries of the Schengen Area. 

The European Union is a supranational political and economic organisation with its own institutions (such as the European Parliament). It is based on a single market that guarantees four freedoms of movement between Member States, including the free movement of people. It is composed of 27 Member States:

- Germany  - Austria - Belgium - Bulgaria (currently joining the Schengen Area) - Cyprus (outside Schengen) - Croatia (currently joining the Schengen Area) - Denmark - Spain - Estonia - Finland - France - Greece - Hungary - Ireland (outside Schengen) - Italy - Lithuania - Latvia - Luxembourg - Malta - The Netherlands - Poland - Portugal - Czech Republic - Romania (currently joining the Schengen Area) - Slovakia - Slovenia - Sweden.

The Schengen Area is a zone of free movement of people, which means without systematic identity checks at internal borders. It includes 22 of the 27 EU Member States and 4 Associate States: - Germany - Austria - Belgium - Denmark - Spain - Estonia - Finland - France - Greece - Hungary - Iceland (non-EU) - Italy - Latvia - Liechtenstein (non-EU) - Lithuania - Luxembourg - Malta - Norway (non-EU) - The Netherlands - Poland - Portugal - Czech Republic - Slovakia - Slovenia - Sweden - Switzerland (non-EU)

You Can Travel in Europe Without A Passport If...

- You are a citizen of one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above), - Your destination is one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above), 

If these two conditions are met, then you can travel in Europe without a passport, even by plane. However, you will need a valid national identity card. 

Are you traveling in the Schengen Area? You can cross the borders between Schengen Area countries without an identity check, but be aware that you may be subject to checks once in the country. So remember to keep your valid passport or ID card with you at all times.

  Don't Forget Your EHIC

At least 2 weeks before departure, don’t forget to apply for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card covers all European Union citizens for medically necessary health care during a stay in a European Union country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Do you need additional insurance to cover repatriation and, depending on your situation, supplement national health care coverage? With Europ Assistance's Schengen travel insurance, you can choose between two policies with 24/7 emergency travel assistance in any Schengen Area country for as long as you wish. 

You Need A Passport for Travel in Europe If... 1/2

- You are not a citizen of one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above), - Your destination is one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above), 

In this case, traveling in Europe without a passport is not permitted. Upon arrival in a Schengen Area member country by plane or train, you must show your valid passport, issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months after your planned exit date. But that's not all. 

  Would You Like to Travel in the Schengen Area for Less Than 90 days for Tourism, Business or to See Family?

Depending on your nationality , in addition to a valid passport, a Schengen short-stay visa (type C or uniform Schengen visa) may be required. Finally, whether or not you have a visa, the border police may ask for supporting documents upon your arrival in a Schengen member country, including:  - Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay  - Proof of sufficient financial resources (amount differs depending on the Schengen country) - A return ticket or proof of sufficient financial means to book one - Documents justifying the reason for your trip (professional or personal) - Proof of insurance covering all medical, hospital and death expenses that may be incurred during your entire stay in France, including medical repatriation expenses. 

Choose peace of mind for your visa application or when crossing the border with Schengen travel insurance policies from Europ Assistance . Recognised and accepted by Schengen embassies and consulates throughout the world, our policies cover your medical expenses for up to 60,000 euros in case of illness or accident in one of the Member States of the Schengen Area, as well as additional coverage, available here .

  Would You Like to Travel in the Schengen Area for Paid Work and/or A Stay of More Than 90 days?  

Whatever your nationality (outside the European Union and the Schengen Area), you must apply for a work visa or a long-stay visa (type D) directly from the country you wish to visit. Find out everything you need to know about long-stay visas in France here .

You Also Need A Passport for Travel in Europe If... 2/2

- You are a citizen of one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above), - Your destination is a country on the European continent that is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen Area. 

Are you a French citizen? Find out which identity document (passport, national identity card) and, if applicable, which visa you need to travel to your destination in Europe with this official simulator .  Are you a citizen of another country? Check with the embassy or consulate of the European country where you wish to travel.  

  Entering France with a Schengen Visa from Another Country

You can do so if your Schengen visa allows it. To check, read the Schengen visa sticker affixed to your passport. If it says SCHENGEN STATES, this visa authorises you to enter all the countries of the Schengen Area. If the initials of one or more countries are indicated, it means that a territorial restriction applies. In this case, you can travel only to the listed countries. More information is available here .

If you are a citizen of a country that does not require a visa to travel within the Schengen Area for less than 90 days, you can travel to all Schengen countries. However, you must respect the 90-day period, which includes all countries.    Can I Travel in the Schengen Area with A Receipt?

The document referred to here is a residence permit receipt. According to the law, it is a “document that proves that your application for a residence permit at your prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of residence has been received. It authorises you to stay in France for the specified period.” The interpretation of these words leads us to answer that no, you cannot travel in the Schengen Area with a receipt. 

Would you like to return to France with a receipt after leaving the Schengen Area?  If you have a receipt for your first application for a residence permit, you must apply for a return visa at the French consulate in the country where you are staying.  If you have a residence permit renewal receipt, you can return to France with your receipt, your expired residence permit and a valid passport. In both cases, you will have to prove that you meet the entry requirements (proof of residence, financial resources, etc.).   

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  • Passports, travel and living abroad
  • Travel abroad

Travelling to the EU and Schengen area

You do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply:

  • you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period
  • you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons

Other reasons include:

  • studying a short course
  • getting medical treatment
  • travelling for business for your UK employer, for example to attend a business meeting or conference
  • journalism or other media activities

Check the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting to find out what you can and cannot do during your stay.

These rules do not apply to travelling and working in Ireland .

Travelling to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period

You can travel to more than one country in a 180-day period. How long you can stay in each country depends on whether or not it’s in the Schengen area.

The countries in the Schengen area are:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Your total stay in the Schengen area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. It does not matter how many countries you visit. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

To work out if your stay is within the 90 day limit, use the following steps.

Check the date you plan to leave the Schengen area on your next trip.

Count back 180 days from that date to get the start of the 180-day period.

Add up the number of days you have already spent in the Schengen area in that 180-day period (you can use the dates stamped in your passport showing when you entered and left a country).

Work out how many days you will spend in the Schengen area on your next trip. Add this number to the number of days you worked out in step 3.

Check that the total number of days is not more than 90.

Travelling to EU countries that are not in the Schengen area

Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania are not in the Schengen area. You can stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period in each of these countries without a visa.

Any time you spend in the Schengen area does not affect the number of days you can spend in these countries.

When you may need a visa

​​You may need a visa or permit if you want to either:

  • stay for more than 90 days

If you’re travelling for work, check the rules for the country you’re visiting .

If you’re travelling for another reason or staying longer than 90 days, check the entry requirements for the country you’re visiting .

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Irish passport card

What is an irish passport card, where can i use it, how much does it cost, how to apply, lost, stolen or damaged card, more information.

The Irish passport card is a travel document that Irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. It is similar in size to a credit card and it has a SealCrypt strip. You can only get a passport card if you hold a valid Irish passport book.

You must apply online to get an Irish passport card.

Online applications are completed in approximately 3 to 5 working days.  Check the Passport Service website  for the current processing times.

You can use the passport card when traveling in the European Union, the European Economic Area (which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland.

If you are an Irish Citizen travelling from Ireland, you do not need a passport to enter the United Kingdom under Common Travel Area rights , but airlines and sea carriers may want you to prove your identity when checking in. You should check with your airline or sea carrier to see what types of identification they accept.

For travel to other non-EEA countries, you must use your standard Irish passport book.

Adults and children can get passport cards. You will save money if you get your passport book and passport card at the same time as part of a bundle.

There is an additional €5 postal fee for each child application to cover the cost of returning documents to the applicant.

There is an additional €15 postal fee if you reside outside Ireland.

You can only apply for a passport card online .

Over 18 and hold existing passport book

  • You may apply for a passport card individually.
  • Your passport book must have at least 3 months remaining validity.

Over 18 with no passport book or passport card

  • You can get a passport card and passport book at the same time online as part of a bundle.

If you are under 18

  • You can only get a passport card with a passport Book as part of a bundle which is an option you can select when renewing your child’s passport online.
  • Passport Cards for under 18s will be valid for the same period as the Passport Book.

When making the application you need:

  • Your current passport book
  • Your photograph (see the detailed guidelines on dfa.ie )
  • A valid email address
  • A debit card or credit card

The personal details you provide when applying for a passport card must be exactly the same as those on your passport book.

The passport card is valid for 5 years or until your passport book expires, whichever period is shorter.

If you are going to use your passport card when travelling, you must use the passport card number when checking in online.

Track your application

When you submit your application online, you are issued with an 11-digit application number. You can track your application’s progress on the Department’s website using the application number.

If you have lost your Irish passport in Ireland, tell the Passport Office immediately. Lost, stolen or damaged passports can be renewed online.

You can find more information in the Department’s list of FAQs and on dfa.ie . You can also view the turnaround times for the processing of applications. If you have any queries you can contact the Passport Service .

Related documents

  • Irish passports - an overview Who can apply for an Irish passport? Where can Irish passport holders travel? Our overview document answers your questions. 1711.5647
  • Irish citizenship and passports for children born abroad Outlines the rules about Irish citizenship for children who were born abroad and have an Irish parent. It also covers the documents you need when applying for an Irish passport for children born abroad. 1599.5292
  • The European Health Insurance Card The European Health Insurance Card gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another EU/EEA country. Find out more. 1537.2168

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC or UK EHIC

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in EU countries, and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.

The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it.

You can apply for a new card up to 9 months before your current card expires.

A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years. Apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid unofficial websites – they may charge you a fee to apply.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can choose to apply for a new UK EHIC instead.

The UK GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. We advise you to have private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

We also recommend you check FCDO travel advice on GOV.UK for the country you're visiting.

You can apply for a UK GHIC if you're a resident in the UK. You can also add your family members to your application when you apply.

You'll need to provide your:

  • date of birth
  • National Insurance or NHS number (if you're from England or Wales)
  • CHI number (if you're from Scotland)
  • Health and Care number (if you're from Northern Ireland)

Applying for family members

Every member of your family needs their own card. You can add your spouse, civil partner and children to your application when you apply. You must enter your own details first and apply for any additional cards when prompted.

If you've already completed your application and want to add additional family members contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services . You'll need to give us your reference number, name, date of birth and address so we can access your record.

After you apply

After you've submitted your application, we'll email you within 24 hours to let you know whether it has been approved or not (if you don't get a reply, check your junk folder). We may need to see additional information or documents before approving it.

Once your application has been approved, you should receive your new card within 15 working days. It will be sent to you by post.

If you do not receive it before you travel, and need medically necessary treatment during your visit, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to get temporary cover. For more information, see "If you don't have your card with you" towards the end of this page.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can choose to apply for a new UK EHIC rather than a UK GHIC. A UK EHIC provides cover for some countries that are not currently covered by the UK GHIC (these are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). Like the UK GHIC, it's free and lasts up to 5 years. You can find out if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement on GOV.UK.

What your card covers

You can use your card to get state healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you come back to the UK (sometimes called "medically necessary healthcare"). This includes things like:

  • emergency treatment and visits to A&E
  • treatment or routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions
  • routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth

You'll need to pre-arrange some treatments with the relevant healthcare provider in the country you're visiting – for example, kidney dialysis or chemotherapy – as it's not guaranteed that local healthcare providers will always have the capacity to provide this care.

Whether treatment is medically necessary is decided by the healthcare provider in the country you're visiting.

Not all state healthcare is free outside of the UK. You may have to pay for treatment that you would get for free on the NHS, if a local resident would be expected to pay in the country you're visiting.

Before travelling, you should check the state-provided healthcare services in the country you're visiting and any potential charges you may face.

Check the relevant country guide on GOV.UK for information on how to access treatment in the country you're visiting

What your card does not cover

A UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) does not replace travel and medical insurance or cover services like:

  • being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation)
  • treatment in a private medical facility
  • ski or mountain rescue

We advise that you have a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) and private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

Where you can use your card

You can use a UK GHIC when you're visiting:

  • an EU country ( see a list of EU countries on GOV.UK )
  • Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man
  • St Helena, Tristan and Ascension

You can use a UK GHIC in Switzerland if you're one of the following:

  • a British national
  • a Swiss national
  • an EU citizen
  • a stateless person
  • a family member of someone who holds one of the above nationalities or statuses

The UK government is negotiating with other countries to expand the use of the UK GHIC, so always check coverage before you travel.

You can use a UK EHIC when you're visiting:

  • Liechtenstein
  • Switzerland

Visiting Norway

You can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway if you're a UK resident.

Visiting Montenegro

You can get free emergency treatment in Montenegro but you'll have to pay for your prescribed medicines and for other medical treatment.

If you're a UK national, your UK passport will give you access to emergency healthcare in Montenegro.

If you're a UK resident but not a UK national you'll need your passport and a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) to get emergency healthcare.

Getting healthcare in other countries

You'll have to pay for treatment unless the UK has a healthcare agreement with that country .

Check if you're eligible for a UK GHIC

You'll be entitled to a UK GHIC if both of these things apply:

  • you're ordinarily and legally resident in the UK
  • you do not have healthcare cover provided by an EU country or Switzerland

There is information about what "ordinarily resident" means on GOV.UK

You may also be entitled to a UK GHIC if you're:

  • living in the EU or Switzerland with a registered S1 form
  • living in the EU or Switzerland with an A1 document issued by the UK
  • a family member or dependant of an entitled individual already listed

Check if you're eligible for a UK EHIC

You may be eligible for a new UK EHIC if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • you're living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and have been since before 1 January 2021 with a registered S1, E121, E106 or E109 form issued by the UK
  • you're living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein since before 1 January 2021 with an A1 issued by the UK
  • you're a national of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who has legally resided in the UK since before 1 January 2021 and are covered under the Withdrawal Agreement – you may not be covered if you are also a UK national or if you were born in the UK
  • you're a family member or dependant of an entitled individual already listed

If your circumstances change and you no longer meet one of the above criteria, you may not be entitled to continue using the card and should contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services .

You must be entitled to use your UK GHIC or UK EHIC at the time of the treatment. If you use it to access healthcare that you're not entitled to, you may be liable for the full cost of all treatment received or face prosecution.

Applying for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC

To apply for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC, you'll need a letter from your university or college showing:

  • the name and address of the UK educational institution if you're travelling as part of your course
  • the address of where you're studying in the EU or Switzerland
  • details of the qualification you're studying for
  • the dates your study period in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland started and is due to finish
  • your permanent residential address in the UK

If the letter from your university or college does not include your permanent residential address in the UK, you'll be asked to provide further evidence to confirm this.

This is in addition to the information set out in "How to apply" above.

Students studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland applying for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC

If you normally live in the UK and have been studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland since before 1 January 2021, you may be eligible for a new UK Student EHIC for use in the EU and your country of study.

You will not be able to use this card for treatment in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein unless one of these countries is your country of study.

If you started your course after 1 January 2021, or you're planning to study in an EU country, you'll need to apply for a UK Student GHIC. If you're studying in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein you can also apply for a UK GHIC but it will not cover you for treatment in those countries, even if you are studying there.

You can use the UK Student GHIC in the EU, Switzerland and your country of study, but not yet in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Using a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) when abroad

You should take your UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) with you when you travel abroad. If you need medically necessary treatment, you'll need to present the card to the hospital (or other service provider) that is treating you – make sure that you are being treated at a public health provider and not a private one. Keep all receipts and paperwork.

Depending on the country you visit you may be expected to pay all or part of your bill upfront and then claim a refund afterwards.

Some countries ask patients to pay a contribution towards the cost of their care. This is known as a co-payment or patient share. You can claim back the difference between the total bill and the co-payment, but the actual co-payment is not refundable.

Your UK GHIC or UK EHIC will not cover costs that a local resident would have to pay.

If you don't have your card with you

If you need emergency treatment when you're in another country and do not have your UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) with you, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). A PRC gives you the same level of cover as a UK GHIC or UK EHIC.

A PRC also covers you if you've applied for a UK GHIC or UK EHIC and it has not arrived yet.

Find out more about PRCs and how to apply for one

You'll need to pay in full for treatment if you do not have a UK GHIC, UK EHIC or PRC. You should ask for a copy of your invoice and obtain a receipt.

How to claim a refund

To claim a refund for healthcare covered by your UK GHIC or UK EHIC, you'll need to download and fill in a refund claim form and send it to NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. You should include receipts and any supporting documents with your claim form.

Find out how to claim a refund for healthcare covered by your UK GHIC or UK EHIC

Incorrect charges for treatment

If you think you've been incorrectly charged for medical treatment, contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services .

Keep all documents relating to your treatment. You may need to provide more information to confirm your eligibility and the cost of the treatment you had. This could include:

  • receipts or invoices relating to treatment
  • confirmation that the treatment was state-provided
  • confirmation of payments made to healthcare institutions
  • documents relating to insurance cover if your insurer paid for treatment
  • discharge documents

NHS Overseas Healthcare Services will look at your claim to decide whether you were charged when you should have been covered. If they determine that your treatment should have been covered by the UK GHIC or UK EHIC, they'll reimburse you or your insurer for the costs of treatment that are covered by your card.

Welcome to the official ETIAS website

  • ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are collected at this point.

What is ETIAS

What is ETIAS

The rules of travel to Europe have changed. Starting in mid-2025, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.

Who should apply

Who should apply

Find out which European countries require an ETIAS travel authorisation, who needs to apply and who is exempt.

ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity

ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity

Learn about when to request an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity and what implications it has for your travel.

What you need to apply

What you need to apply

Find out what travel documents can be used to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation. Learn about what information needs to be included in the application form and how much it costs to apply.

Applying on behalf of others

Applying on behalf of others

Learn how to authorise someone to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation on your behalf and what to be careful about.

Your right to appeal

Your right to appeal

Find out how to appeal against a decision related to your ETIAS travel authorisation or data protection rights.

Report abuse

Report abuse

Be aware of possible abusive and fraudulent practices by commercial intermediaries and learn how to report them.

FAQs ETIAS

Find answers to the most common questions about ETIAS including how to apply, how much it costs and how long it will be valid for.

News corner

News corner

Find the latest updates and facts about ETIAS.

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When you need to renew a passport to travel to Europe

  • Wednesday 27 March 2024 at 12:10pm

eu travel card passport

Since Brexit , passport rules for UK visitors to the European Union (EU) have tightened up.

But many people may not be aware of the finer print, and some families are finding themselves thousands of pounds out of pocket when they have been banned from boarding flights due to the rule changes.

So what exactly are the rules for British travellers to the EU, and how can you avoid a passport disaster if you're jetting off for the Easter holidays?

How have the rules changed?

When the UK was a member of the EU, British passports remained valid up to and including their expiry date for travel to other EU countries.

But post-Brexit, British passport holders wishing to travel to EU countries in the Schengen Area are treated as non-EU nationals. This includes popular tourism destinations such as Portugal and Greece.

As such, they must meet two key requirements, as outlined on the EU's Your Europe website . If you are a non-EU national wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a passport:

which is valid for at least three months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting;

which was issued within the previous 10 years.

This means you should really be looking at the date of issue when checking if you need to renew, as well as the expiry date.

It may appear that your passport is within date, but if it hasn't been issued in the past 10 years you could be stopped from boarding your plane or ferry.

Have you heard our new podcast Talking Politics? Every week Tom, Robert and Anushka dig into the biggest issues dominating the political agenda…

According to the government's website, for some Schengen countries, once the three-months-remaining rule is taken into account, a passport needs to have been issued no more than nine years and nine months ago.

What is the Schengen Area?

The border-free Schengen Area is made up of 27 countries and guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU citizens, along with non-EU nationals living in the EU or visiting the EU as tourists.

It is comprised of most EU countries, except for Croatia, Cyprus, and Ireland. Bulgaria and Romania will be part of the Schengen Area as of March 31 2024. The non-EU countries Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also part of the area.

Aren't all passports only valid for 10 years?

Until September 2018, the UK had a policy that meant you could claim credit on 'unspent' time when renewing your passport, so you could be issued with a passport that was valid for up to 10 years and nine months.

People who took advantage of this policy could now find themselves caught out.

Do the rules affect children's passports?

Passports for under-16s are usually valid for five years, so there should be no chance of breaching the 10-year rule.

But be careful of the three-months-remaining rule, which states your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave the country. Children's passports are more likely to get caught out by this rule as their passports don't last as long.

Am I covered if I get caught out?

Unfortunately, if you don't make sure your passport will be accepted before you travel, you are unlikely to get back any money you lose.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, told ITV News: “There has been confusion over guidance for travel to the EU. Passports must be issued within 10 years of entry into your destination country and remain in date for at least three months after the day you plan to return to the UK.

“It is essential to ensure your passport is valid when you are due to travel and return home. Otherwise you risk losing the money for your flight or holiday as your provider will not refund you, and insurance will not cover you for the error.”

Do the rules apply anywhere else in the world?

These rules are specific to Schengen Area countries. If you are travelling to the rest of the world you should check the individual rules for entering those countries on the government website .

When should I renew my passport?

To be on the safe side, it's best to apply to renew your passport before it is nine years and nine months old.

You should allow up to 10 weeks to receive your passport, so you should apply for it at least 10 weeks before you're due to travel. The Passport Office say people usually get their passports within three weeks.

You can apply online (£82.50) or by post with a paper form (£93). Passport costs are set to increase by more than 7% in April, the Home Office announced this month.

If you need a passport urgently, you can pay more for the fast track service . The one-week service costs £155 for an adult passport and £126 for a child passport, while the one-day premium service costs £193.50, or £204.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know…

eu travel card passport

When do I need to renew my passport for travel to Europe?

Since Brexit , the rules on passport validity for British visitors to the European Union have tightened.

Gone are the days when you could travel to the EU at any point before your travel document expired; the UK is now a “third country”, with rules to match.

Added confusion has come in the form of the UK’s own HM Passport Office, which has continued to give out incorrect information regarding child passport expiry dates .

These are the key questions and answers based on EU rules.

What’s changed?

While the UK was in the European Union, British passports were valid up to and including their expiry date for travel within the EU. But since the end of the Brexit transition phase, British passport holders are treated as “third country nationals” with stipulations about passport issue and expiry dates – together with limits on the length of stay almost everywhere in Europe.

For the avoidance of doubt, these are not “new EU rules” – they were decided while the UK was in the European Union.

What is required for my passport to be valid?

The requirements for the Schengen Area – comprising most EU countries plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and a handful of micro-states – are crisply expressed on the Travel page of the European Union’s Your Europe site : “If you are a non-EU national wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a passport:

  • valid for at least three months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting,
  • which was issued within the previous 10 years.”

(All children’s passports meet this latter condition – see below.)

For the avoidance of doubt, there is no problem travelling to Europe with a passport issued for over 10 years, so long as it is under 10 years old on the date of departure to the EU and will have three months remaining on the date of return.

Why the line about ‘issued within the previous 10 years’?

For many years, until September 2018, the UK had a generous policy of allowing credit for “unspent” time when renewing a passport, issuing documents valid for up to 10 years and nine months.

So a passport issued on 31 October 2012 could show an expiry date of 31 July 2023.

This was fine around Europe and the world for decade – until Brexit, whereupon a longstanding rule kicked in. For non-members of the EU hoping to enter the Schengen Area, a passport must have been issued in the past 10 years.

With a passport issued on 31 October 2012, regardless of the expiry date, you’re not allowed to enter the EU post-1 November 2022.

Until September 2018 the government appeared unaware of the problem. Once the issue was identified, the practice of giving up to nine months’ grace ended abruptly.

Are the “issued less than 10 years ago” and “valid for three months” rules combined?

No. There is no need to have a passport issued less than nine years, nine months ago. The two conditions are independent of one another.

The Migration and Home Affairs Department of the European Commission in Brussels told me: “Entry should be allowed to those travelling with passports issued within the previous 10 years at the moment of entry into the Schengen area.

“The condition that the passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years does not extend for the duration of the intended stay. It is enough if this condition is fulfilled at the moment of entry.

“To give a practical example, a non-EU traveller arriving on 1 December 2021 for a 20-days stay in the EU with a passport issued on 2 December 2011 and valid until 2 April 2022 will be allowed entry.”

If I get wrongly turned away, what are my rights?

For flights: you can claim denied boarding compensation (either £220 or £350, depending on the length of the flight) and associated costs – for example, booking another flight on a rival airline, or for wasted car rental and hotel expenses that cannot be reclaimed.

I’ve just read a report saying I need six months remaining for Europe?

Some news outlets, regrettably, continue to publish incorrect information. Ignore it.

Does that 10-year-plus rule apply anywhere else in the world?

No as far as I am aware. The concern around the date of issue is relevant only for travel to the European Union – not for the rest of the world.

For destinations outside EU, the only significant consideration is the expiry date. And for destinations such as Australia, the US and Canada, your passport is valid up to and including this date.

So with that passport expiring on 31 July 2023, you could be in New York until that very day (though you would need to get a daytime flight back to avoid your passport running out en route.

Read the Independent ’s guide to how many months you need left on your passport to travel worldwide

What about children?

Passports for under-16s are typically valid for five years (plus any extra credit). A child’s passport issued for five years and nine months is clearly within the 10-year limit, and there is no possibility of breaching that condition.

(During 2021, the Home Office’s defective passport checker stripped all extra credit, which was both wrong and unhelpful. The online checker has now been switched off.)

But beware of the three-months-remaining-on-exit rule, which children are more likely to fall foul of because of the shorter duration of their passports.

What about this 90/180 day rule?

For trips to the Schengen area (most EU nations plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and some small countries) British passport holders can stay a maximum of 90 days in any 180. That’s roughly three months in six.

it is tricky to explain, but I shall do my best. Imagine a calendar that stretches back almost six months from today. What happened more than 180 days ago is irrelevant. What counts is the number of days you were either inside (I) or outside (O) the Schengen Area in the past 180 days.

You can easily keep count on a calendar yourself, either printed or digital.

If “I” hits 90, you must leave that day and stay out for almost three months, to accumulate 90 “Os” in a row. Then you can go back in, for a maximum of 90 days.

During the course of a calendar year, it could work like this (assuming no travel to the EU in the previous six months).

  • 1 January: enter the EU and stay for 90 days until the last day of March, when you must leave.
  • 1 April: remain outside for 90 days, which takes you to 29 June.
  • 30 June: enter the EU and stay for 90 days, until 27 September. Then leave.
  • 28 September: remain outside the EU until 26 December.

For longer stays, some countries offer visas that allow British citizens to remain for months on end. If you get one of these, then the time spent in that country does not count towards the “90/180” rule – in other words, you can explore other EU countries with a fresh calendar.

What about non-Schengen EU members?

For British visitors to Ireland , there are no limits on passport validity. Indeed, a passport is not legally mandatory for British travellers to the republic, though some airlines insist on it.

Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania have identical rules to the Schengen Area: passport issued in the past 10 years, and with three months validity remaining on the day of leaving the country. But time spent in any of these nations does not contribute to the “90/180” day total.

Help! My passport is full of stamps and I have no space left. Will I be turned away?

No, even though Eurostar warns British passport holders : “Check that you have a clear page in your passport as it will need to be stamped with your travel date when you’re travelling to and from the EU.”

The EU’s Practical Handbook for Border Guards is explicit about a “document enabling a third-country national to cross the border [that] is no longer suitable for affixing a stamp, as there are no longer available pages”.

It says: “In such a case, the third-country national should be recommended to apply for a new passport, so that stamps can continue to be affixed there in the future.

“However, as an exception – and particularly in the case of regular cross-border commuters – a separate sheet can be used, to which further stamps can be affixed. The sheet must be given to the third-country national.

“In any case, the lack of empty pages in a passport is not, in itself, a valid and sufficient ground to refuse the entry of a person.”

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.

Several airlines including easyJet doubled down on incorrect information to passengers

How to avoid getting caught out by 10-year-passport rule when travelling to Europe

If travelling to the eu, your passport must be less than 10 years old when you leave and be valid for three months after your return date.

EU, UK, Borders, Passport and European Union signs and inscription in London Stansted STN airport in England, UK on 23 August 2019 a few months before the Brexit. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

UK holidaymakers are being warned to avoid getting caught out by a post-Brexit passport rule that could hamper EU travel plans.

Until 2018, British passport holders could have unspent time on an old passport – up to 9 months – added to a renewal.

However, after Brexit, unspent time added to a 10-year passport has not been considered valid for entry to the EU.

Home Office data suggests that 32 million people had applied for passports which, if granted would be over 10 years old.

Here’s everything you need to know about the changes, how to avoid being caught out, and what options you have if you are.

What’s different now?

UK passport holders used to be able to carry over another nine months on a passport that had been issued 10 years ago for entry into the EU .

However, following Brexit , the EU does not accept UK passports past the 10-year expiry date.

Issues arise when travelers may enter their passport details with the airline but are not turned away from their flight until they’re boarding at the gate, when it becomes difficult to change your flight or receive any compensation for the missed flight.

i ‘s Travel Editor, Sophie Lam , said: “Validity for British passport-holders entering the Schengen area changed after Brexit.

“After initial uncertainty and confusion, the Foreign Office updated its passport advice in May 2022, clarifying the requirements for entry to Europe and bringing them into line with those of the European Commission.

“Thousands of British travellers have been turned away by airlines and cross- Channel transport providers due to their passports failing to meet EU requirements.”

How do I avoid getting caught out?

To avoid being caught out by the rule and turned away from boarding at the airport, you should make sure to check your passport’s issue and expiry date when booking your holiday.

EU requirement state that a British passport must meet the following requirements (independent of one another) for entry to the EU:

  • Passport issued 10 years before the date of entry
  • Passport has three months left before expiry date on the date of return to the UK

Moules in Brussels, pastries in Prague: a break on European Sleeper’s night train

One train, four capitals: on board a sleeper train from Prague to Brussels

So, as well as being issued less than 10 years before your departure date, you should also ensure your passport is valid for three months after your planned return date.

Rory Boland , travel editor at Which? told the BBC : “The ’10-year-rule’ is a problem that continues to catch people out.

“What’s really important is that you check your passport validity and expiry date when booking your holiday.

“Not when you go to check-in, and certainly not when you travel to the airport, because that’s when people are continually finding that their passport is out of date and it’s often then too expensive, and too complicated to save their holiday.”

How do I renew my passport?

You can renew your passport either online or in person.

If you’d like to apply online , you can do so through the portal on the UK Government website . You’ll need an updated digital photo of yourself and be prepared to send in your passport.

The online application currently has a fee of £82.50.

You can also apply in person at a Post Office . You’ll need to bring your old passport and two printed updated photos. Applying in person has a higher fee of £93.

However, the Home Office is seeking approval to increase fees for both new passports and renewals from 11 April – a second price increase in 14 months, after a nine per cent hike in February 2023.

It would see the cost of a standard online application made from within the UK rise to £88.50 while an under 16s passport is set to jump from £53.50 to £57.50.

UK postal applications, meanwhile, will increase to £100 for adults and £69 for children, with overseas applications rising to £101 for adults and £65.50 for children online, or to £112.50 for adults and £77 for children by post.

‘The clock is ticking’: Why new post-Brexit border rules are fraught with issues

'The clock is ticking': Why new post-Brexit border rules are fraught with issues

Once the materials have been received by the HM Passport Office, the wait time begins.

As of March 2024, the typical wait time is three weeks. You should apply well in advance to make sure you have your passport ahead of your trip.

If you have any visas in your old passport that are still valid, you can use them if you travel with both your old and new passport.

i ‘s Sophie Lam said: “HMPO updated its guidance for passport application turnaround times in autumn 2023, reducing it from 10 weeks to three for an adult renewal.

“However, in practice applications are being processed much more swiftly, taking on average nine days according to crowd-sourced site passportwaitingtime.co.uk .”

What can I do if I’m turned away at the airport?

Not much, unfortunately.

Airlines UK, the trade body for the UK’s registered airline companies, has said there was no guarantee that potentially invalid passport details would be picked up in advance, adding that airlines do provide reminders and links.

It said it was the responsibility of the person travelling to ensure they have a valid travel document.

If you are turned away at the airport, you would not be covered and would not be entitled to your money back.

Gemma Brown, head of commercial and travel expert at Travel Republic, said: “If travellers make it all the way to their boarding gate without checking, airlines can refuse those holding passports that were issued over 10 years ago. In this instance, passengers should be aware that denied boarding is reasonable due to inadequate travel documentation.

“The likelihood is that travel insurance providers would not cover any costs associated with invalid or expired passports, as it’s down to the traveller to triple check their documentation is correct.

“Our advice would be to ensure that your passport is within the 10 year issue date and is valid for at least six months from the date of departure to ensure you will be accepted into most countries.

“Regardless of passport rules, it’s important for all travellers to research the country they plan to visit and ensure they know what travel documentation is required upon entering and leaving. You can find foreign travel advice on the Government website to make sure you have everything covered.”

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Can you go on a cruise with a green card? What US permanent residents need to know about travel documents

Megan duBois

Taking a cruise is relaxing, but making sure all your documents are in order for your sailing can be challenging, even more so for United States permanent residents who have a green card. The good news is that if you are a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., you are allowed to travel outside the country and can go on a cruise with your green card.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection , "If you are a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States, the U.S. government does not require you to have a passport for any travel, including air, land, or sea travel, however, you are even more likely to be required by your destination country to have one."

If you're a lawful permanent resident, you're cleared for foreign travel, but the documents you need for a cruise vacation might vary based on your departure port and destinations visited.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here are the key points you need to know about travel documents if you'd like to go on a cruise as a green-card holder or other non-citizen resident of the U.S.

Does a green card count as a passport?

eu travel card passport

A green card and a passport are not the same. While both documents are proof of identity, a passport is evidence of your citizenship while a green card shows that you are legally permitted to live and work in the U.S. as a foreign national.

Can I cruise from the US with just a green card?

As a lawful permanent resident going on a cruise from and back to U.S. home ports, you will need your green card to prove your identity and citizenship status so you can reenter the U.S. at the end of your sailing. You'll have to show the card during the boarding process and again when you reenter the U.S. at the end of your sailing.

Whether you also need a passport from your home country depends on your exact itinerary and the cruise line you're sailing.

"A green card holder can sail on closed-loop sailings without a passport," a representative from Carnival Cruise Line explained, referencing round-trip cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. city that only visit nearby countries in the Western Hemisphere (e.g., the Bahamas and Caribbean islands).

However, there are exceptions. For example, permanent residents must bring their home country passport if their cruises stop in Canada, Colombia, Bermuda or Greenland. A closed-loop cruise visiting ports in Mexico might require a passport, another cruise line representative told us, so double-check if you're cruising to Puerto Vallarta or Cozumel.

Transatlantic and transpacific cruises and sailings that start in one U.S. city and end in another one (such as full Panama Canal transits) also require green-card holders to carry a passport.

Additionally, some cruise lines might require permanent residents to carry a passport regardless of itinerary, so make sure you check the policy of the line you intend to sail. It's generally a good idea, especially if something goes wrong on your vacation and you have to disembark early and fly home.

You might also need a tourist visa to enter the port depending on that country's rules for travel for citizens of your home country. If you need a visa, you typically will need to carry your home country passport as well.

To determine which ports require visas or passports to enter, you can enquire with your travel adviser or head to the government website or embassy of each country your cruise visits to research visa requirements, forms, information and fees for your nationality.

Related: What documents do you need for a cruise? From passports to printouts, here's what to take

Can I cruise internationally with a green card?

eu travel card passport

Lawful permanent residents are not limited to cruises from U.S. ports; they can book sailings in Europe, Asia, South America and other international destinations.

To enter another country by air, you will need a passport from your country of citizenship and potentially some travel visas. You'll need your green card to return to the U.S.

For example, if you're taking an Alaska cruise that departs from Vancouver, British Columbia, you will need a home country passport and a green card to go through international customs at the airport. If you're taking a cruise through Europe, you will need your green card, home passport and a visa.

All green-card users should contact the embassy or consulate of the countries on the itinerary to learn about the travel documents that are required. Depending on the ports of call, you might also need a Schengen visa , which allows entry and transit through 26 countries in Europe that are part of the Schengen Agreement. These countries include popular cruise destinations like France, Greece, Italy, Norway and Spain.

Related: Do I need a passport for a cruise?

What if I don't have a green card but want to travel under the Visa Waiver Program?

For those who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, taking a cruise is still possible. If you are traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, you can use the immigration stamp (I-94W) that you were given when you first entered the U.S. to reenter the country at the end of a cruise. Just be sure that your cruise ends before the 90-day admission period that you were originally given with the stamp.

Additionally, if you're using an immigration stamp to reenter the U.S., you will need to be sure that your cruise isn't too far away, is only visiting nearby islands or the contiguous country, and that the trip does not take you outside the U.S. for more than 30 days.

If your cruise goes beyond the 90-day admission time, you will need to apply for a new admission period. You will also have to talk to the Customs and Border Protection officer about how you were not using the cruise to get around the time limit for Visa Waiver Program travelers.

How do I reenter the US with a green card?

eu travel card passport

Reentering the U.S. with a green card is simple. You will need your current, unexpired permanent resident card or green card to give to the Customs and Border Protection officer. Additionally, if you have any other documents that prove your identity, such as a U.S. driver's license, a foreign national ID card or a passport, give those to the officer as well. The officer will use the documents to verify your identity and immigration status.

Does cruise travel outside the US affect permanent resident status?

If you are a permanent resident, you can travel outside the country for brief travel and it usually does not impact your status. This can change if you travel outside the U.S. for more than a year, but you're likely not cruising for that long.

Bottom line

If you're ready to book a cruise but only have your green card as a lawful permanent resident, you don't need to worry because you can set sail on the high seas without a U.S. passport. However, you often need a passport from your home country and possibly visas to enter ports of call. You will also need to prove your identity upon returning to the U.S. with your green card and a second form of identification, such as a home country passport.

A select few closed-loop, round-trip cruises sailing from a U.S. port only require you to sail with your green card and not a home country passport, but you must make sure your itinerary qualifies otherwise you can get turned away for having missing documentation. It's always safer to travel with your home country passport, even if it's not required.

Even if you don't have a green card and you only have an immigration stamp under the Visa Waiver Program, you can still take a cruise as long as it's within the 90-day admission period. For either an immigration stamp or green card, it's important to note the length of the cruise and where it goes. You don't want to get held at Customs and Border Protection upon reentering the U.S. for going outside the travel parameters of the type of citizen identification you have.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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Urgent warning for British red passport holders at risk of post-Brexit travel rules

On a typical day, 200 outbound travellers are prevented from departing because of eu rules on issue and expiry dates, article bookmarked.

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An estimated 32 million British passport holders could potentially fall foul of post-Brexit rules on validity for travel to the European Union, it has emerged.

In the Brexit deal, the UK negotiated for British travellers to become “third-country nationals” – in line with citizens from dozens of other countries such as Venezuela and Samoa.

European Union nations do not allow such travellers to enter on a passport issued over 10 years ago. The same applies in the wider Schengen Area, including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. UK visitors to Ireland are not subject to the restriction.

The Passport Office’s pre-Brexit policy was to issue British travel documents valid for up to 10 years and nine months, taking account of the unspent time on a previous passport. That posed no problem while the UK was a member of the EU, but since the Brexit agreement took effect hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have lost their holidays because of inadvertently breaching the rules.

Airport sources contacted by The Independent indicate that, on a typical day, 200 outbound travellers are prevented from departing because of EU rules on issue and expiry dates. The rejection typically happens at check in or the departure gate.

The BBC cited the case of Nathan Barnes, a 31-year-old paramedic from Norwich, who was refused boarding on a flight to France.

He was on his way to Limoges with his fiancé to visit family. Despite checking in for the flight online, he was stopped at the departure gate.

“My passport had been issued more than 10 years previously,” he said. “They were very matter of fact about it, they just said ‘sorry you can’t board, off you pop’.”

“I was gutted, surprised really. We had checked in online and thought it was fine,” he added.

The BBC’s Marc Ashdown has analysed Home Office figures on passports issued up to September 2018 that suggest 32 million people could potentially fall foul of EU rules.

The Schengen Area also requires UK travellers to have at least three months remaining before the expiry date on their passport on the day of departure from the European zone.

The Independent has asked all the major airlines if they could help identify potential problems earlier by requesting passport data and assessing validity. Most say that the issue is too complex, but Tui is working on a solution.

If a passenger is correctly denied boarding, travel insurance will not pay out to cover consequent losses.

The EU and wider Schengen Area are the only locations with conditions about the issue date of your passport. Many other countries, such as the US, Canada and Australia, allow British passport holders to travel up to and including the expiry date of your passport – though some nations demand at least six months is remaining .

There is no problem travelling to Europe with a passport issued for over 10 years, so long as it is under 10 years old on the date of departure to the EU and will have three months remaining on the date of return.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Hundreds of British tourists with ‘remainer passports’ are getting caught out by a little known 10-year rule

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A woman holding a passport in an airport.

Be warned: if you still own a red ‘remainer’ passport, you’ll want to pay close attention to this post-Brexit rule.

Before the UK left the EU, UK passport holders were able to transfer up to nine months from an old passport over to a new one, including on 10-year passports.

But, if carrying this over has meant that your passport is now over 10 years old, you could find yourself caught out at the border.

What is the 10-year passport rule?

Before Brexit , the UK Passport Office’s policy was that passport holders that had time left on their existing documents could effectively transfer the balance to a new one.

So, if a document had three months remaining, those three months could be added to a new passport.

Under these rules, up to nine months could be carried over to a new passport, bringing the total for updated 10-year passports to 10 years and nine months.

However, as a result of this rule, data from the Home Office suggests that up to 32 million people could have passports that are now over 10 years old – which EU nations do not accept.

These rules also apply in the wider Schengen Area, including in Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, though UK visitors entering Ireland aren’t impacted by this rule.

A smiling woman picking up her passport while at aiprort security.

Are red passports still valid?

The red remainer passports are no longer being issued after Brexit – the UK passport is now blue.

Red passports are still valid, though, as long as they’ve not expired.

Nonetheless, if you do still own a red passport, you’ll need to double check the expiry date.

Many countries require your passport to be valid for another six months before you leave for international travel – another rule that’s been slipping countless Brits up post-Brexit.

Countries and their passport rules...

70 countries that have a six-month passport rule: 

Afghanistan, Algeria, Anguilla, Bahrain, Bhutan, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Curacao, Cote D’Ivoire, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Guyana., Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Somaliland, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe

41 countries that have a three-month passport rule: 

Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iceland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein., Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Countries with other validity rules:

Bermuda (45 days upon entry), Eritrea (three months on arrival), Hong Kong (three months on arrival), Lebanon (three months on arrival), Macau (three months on arrival), Micronesia (four months on arrival), South Africa (three months on arrival), The Maldives (three months on arrival), and Zambia (four months on arrival).

Also known as the  ‘six-month validity rule’ , lots of people using old red passports (issued before  Brexit ) may run a risk of their documents not having long enough left – and being refused entry to certain countries.

According to  VisaGuide.World , there are 70 countries that follow the six-month passport rule, including the likes of  Thailand ,  United Arab Emirates  and many countries in Central America.

While another 41 apply the three-month passport validity rule – including lots of spots in Europe.

How long does it take to renew a passport?

Fear you’ll be caught out by the 10-year passport rule? Don’t worry: there’s plenty of time to renew before the summer holidays.

According to Gov UK, you’ll typically receive your new passport within 3 weeks. Take note: the processing time starts from when your documents are received – not sent off.

If the Passport Office needs more information from you, it could take longer – but they’ll let you know within the 3-week timeframe if they do.

However, if you are heading abroad this summer and need a new passport, you might want to allow extra time just in case. Better safe than sorry.

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Get in touch by emailing [email protected] .

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IMAGES

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COMMENTS

  1. Travel documents for EU nationals

    Documents you need for travel in the EU and Schengen countries. As an EU national, you have the right to travel freely in the 27 EU member countries as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (non-EU countries but members of the Schengen area) carrying either a valid passport or a national identity card (ID).

  2. Travel documents for non-EU nationals

    Passport, entry and visa requirements. If you are a national from a country outside the EU wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a valid passport and possibly a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU and it must have been issued within the last 10 years.

  3. Welcome page

    System for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay in 29 European countries. (starting in the second half of 2024) Go to EES website.

  4. Travelling in the EU, your rights

    As an EU national, you can also benefit from EU-wide passenger rights for travel into, out of or within the EU by air, rail, bus/coach or ship. You can travel with pets and other animals in the EU provided you comply with the rules (pet passports). There are EU limits on taking alcohol, tobacco or cash with you to another EU country.

  5. Europe Passport Requirements: What You Need to Know Before Travel

    In summary: Yes. Europe passport requirements state that a valid U.S. passport is necessary to enter any of its 50 countries. Once you arrive in Europe, you can travel between certain countries ...

  6. Getting Your Travel Documents Together by Rick Steves

    Passports. In much of Europe, the only travel document a US or Canadian citizen needs is a passport. (The US Passport Card works only for those driving or cruising to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.) And for most American travelers, that passport gets the most scrutiny from a customs official…as you reenter the United States ...

  7. Passports of the European Union

    Use. With a valid passport, EU citizens are entitled to exercise the right of free movement (meaning they do not need a visa, a certain amount of money or a certain reason to travel freely and no residence permit for settling) in the European Economic Area (European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), Switzerland and, before 31 December 2020 in the United Kingdom.

  8. Digital green pass, vaccine passport, EUDCC: What is it and ...

    Their Green Card gives vaccinated citizens and residents access to places such as gyms, spas and hotels. Secondly, the term 'vaccine passport' implies that only vaccinated people can use it ...

  9. New requirements for Americans traveling to Europe postponed until 2025

    Jenny Kane/AP, FILE. Americans eyed upcoming travel to European destinations slightly differently due to news of a requirement that was set to start in 2024 for U.S. passport holders. But now, EU ...

  10. National identity cards in the European Economic Area

    National identity cards are issued to their citizens by the governments of most European Economic Area (EEA) member states, the exceptions are Denmark and Ireland.Ireland however issues a passport card which is a valid document in the EEA and Switzerland. Denmark issues simpler identity cards that are not valid as travel documents. From 2 August 2021, new identity cards are harmonized as a ...

  11. Ireland's new passport card approved for EU travel

    Ireland has launched a new passport card that will be accepted for travel within the European Union and the European Economic Area. The card will be available from mid-July to all Irish citizens who are over 18 and hold an Irish passport, Newstalk radio reports. It will cost €35 and will be valid for a maximum of five years - or the remaining ...

  12. Dates Confirmed For Europe's New Travel Rules—Here's ...

    Europe's border system is changing—here's what to know about the new Entry and Exit Scheme and ETIAS. getty. The rules for most people entering Europe who don't have an EU passport are changing ...

  13. Heading To Europe In 2025? You'll Need This New Travel Document

    The document will cost about $7.50 and be valid for three consecutive years. For now, most Americans will need only a passport to visit most of the Schengen countries. But when ETIAS finally kicks ...

  14. Passport Card

    The Passport Card is available to all Irish Citizens who hold a valid Irish Passport Book. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your Passport Book. ... It is valid for travel to all EU Member States, the members of the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

  15. Documents you need for travel in Europe

    Check what travel documents you'll need to cross the border into another EU country. And find out what documents you need for your spouse, children or other relatives if they are not EU nationals. More on: Travel documents for EU nationals. Travel documents for non-EU family members. Travel documents for non-EU nationals.

  16. Travelling in Europe Without A Passport: Everything You Need to Know

    Travelling in Europe without a passport for a short stay (less than 90 days) is possible. It all depends on where the traveler is coming from and where they are going on the continent. To better understand the regulations, we must first distinguish between three entities: Europe is a continent made up of about 50 countries, including the 27 member countries of the European Union and the 26 ...

  17. Travelling to the EU and Schengen area

    Travelling to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. You can travel to more than one country in a 180-day period. How long you can stay in each country depends on ...

  18. Irish passport card

    The Irish passport card is a travel document that Irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. It is similar in size to a credit card and it has a SealCrypt strip. You can only get a passport card if you hold a valid Irish passport book. You must apply online to get an Irish passport card.

  19. How to avoid passport chaos sparked by post-Brexit rule change

    How can I avoid passport chaos sparked by post-Brexit rule change? Ask travel expert Simon Calder anything. The 10 year rule isn't quite what it seems for British holidaymakers travelling to the EU.

  20. Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC)

    A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years. Apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid unofficial websites - they may charge you a fee to apply. If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can choose to apply for a new UK EHIC instead. The UK GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance.

  21. ETIAS

    The rules of travel to Europe have changed. Starting in mid-2025, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries. Who should apply. Find out which European countries require an ETIAS travel authorisation, who needs to apply and who is exempt. ...

  22. When you need to renew a passport to travel to Europe

    The one-week service costs £155 for an adult passport and £126 for a child passport, while the one-day premium service costs £193.50, or £204.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport.

  23. When do I need to renew my passport for travel to Europe?

    "To give a practical example, a non-EU traveller arriving on 1 December 2021 for a 20-days stay in the EU with a passport issued on 2 December 2011 and valid until 2 April 2022 will be allowed ...

  24. How to avoid getting caught out by 10-year-passport rule when

    To avoid being caught out by the rule and turned away from boarding at the airport, you should make sure to check your passport's issue and expiry date when booking your holiday. EU requirement ...

  25. Passport renewal: How many months do I need left to travel

    Valid for three months. All EU countries, plus those in the Schengen Area (excluding Ireland) require you to have three months left on your passport from the day you plan to leave. Your passport ...

  26. Can you go on a cruise with a green card? What US permanent residents

    If you're taking a cruise through Europe, you will need your green card, home passport and a visa. All green-card users should contact the embassy or consulate of the countries on the itinerary to learn about the travel documents that are required.

  27. Passport rules: Urgent warning for British red passport holders at risk

    Urgent warning for British red passport holders at risk of post-Brexit travel rules. On a typical day, 200 outbound travellers are prevented from departing because of EU rules on issue and expiry ...

  28. UK travel warning issued on '10-year passport rule'

    However, as a result of this rule, data from the Home Office suggests that up to 32 million people could have passports that are now over 10 years old - which EU nations do not accept. These ...

  29. Holidaymakers going to EU caught out by 10-year-passport rule

    Holidaymakers are being warned not to get caught out by the "passport 10 year rule" which can ruin EU travel plans. UK travellers used to be able to carry up to nine months from an old passport ...