Do you really need six months validity on a passport?

[ReginaGeorgeous]

Just that really. We are due to travel to France in March and the Canaries in April. DD's passport expires in June.

I've had a look at the foreign office website and it's unclear what the passport requirements are as it says you don't "need" any extra time beyond the duration of your stay, but then goes on to say that adult and child passports "should" have a minimum of six months.

As they've stopped adding any unused time onto new passports I'd rather not renew a passport that doesn't run out for another six months, especially as a kids one is only for five years anyway. But obviously, I don't want us to be denied entry to the countries we intend to visit.

So has anyone had any experience of travelling with under six months on your passport? Did it cause an issue or was it fine as long as your passport is in date?

I am assuming brexit isn't an issue as we will be in the transition period until the end of the year.

amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/sep/14/uk-passports-could-lose-up-to-nine-months-validity-after-rule-change

I wouldn't risk it. Someone was denied boarding at the gate on a flight I was on to Egypt for this reason. At the moment it doesn't apply within the EU, but I guess once we leave it will (cheers brexit!)

But Egypt asks for 6 months validity already.

dementedpixie

For us it’s everywhere outside the EU (& soon it will be everywhere including the EU )

Oh sorry, I see you were responding to Istical

I know. We did 3 renewals last year. Will need to check when dd's needs done

It's up to you, if you want to take the risk. What's the worst that could happen? your DD has to stay at home alone

Alternatively, it can take as little as 3 weeks to renew a passport. Why not leave it until about 6 weeks before you travel ( to avoid last-minute nail-biting!)? That way you minimise the 'lost' months on it, and also get it renewed in time, thus eliminating any risk.

Thanks everyone, I'm going to play it safe and renew it.

If, for some reason, you were forced to extend your stay abroad beyond the expiry date of your passport, you would be in a foreign country without a valid passport

I mentioned that. But why 6 months? 6 weeks would be enough. If you were seriously ill special arrangements could be made, after all, people lose their passports.

Sorry I forgot to say I was discussing this just today with a friend and mentioned that!