Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Passport - WWYD
RIBlue · 02/02/2020 11:46
Just found out that I need to travel to Belgium for a couple of days first week in March. Passport expires 22nd March.
My understanding was that this is fine and the needing 6 months left won’t come in to play until 2021. Friends are making me doubt this and now possibly thinking that I should renew online immediately. I’m then worried that this is only 4 weeks away and I might be left with no passport at all if there’s a delay!
FanSpamTastic · 02/02/2020 17:12
I'd make an appointment to go into the passport office and get it renewed that day.
AhoyMrBeaver · 02/02/2020 17:17
I renewed mine online last Monday night, and the new one is being delivered tomorrow. I got my photo done in one of the Photo-Me booths in Boots that gives you a digital code to enter on your application, and that guarantees your photo meets every requirement.
MirenaManiac · 02/02/2020 17:26
No reason to suppose you need 6 months on passport. All the official advice I've seen has been that nothing has changed re travelling & that we should still use the EU lanes for passport checks. If you're that worried, contact the Belgian embassy or the Home Office to check. A lot less hassle and expense than trying to get a rushed passport.
MirenaManiac · 02/02/2020 17:29
The government website seems up be saying that new terms are from 1 January 2021
crustycrab · 02/02/2020 17:32
It's fine.
Although if you apply online now a new one will be with you in the week.
To the pp who suggested an appointment at the passport office....why?
MirenaManiac · 02/02/2020 17:40
Because the withdrawal agreement has been signed, transitional arrangements are now in force and this means travel continues as previously until 31 December 2020.
[https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/10854046/brexit-passport-after-eu-renewal/ The Sun has the most detailed article on it I've seen] , bizarrely.
The idea that you would need 6 months left on your passport was speculation about what would happen if we left the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
JayAlfredPrufrock · 02/02/2020 17:43
Back within a week if you renew online. But make sure you send your old passport back in the most secure way possible.
PurBal · 04/02/2020 17:09
I was at a travel agent 2 weeks ago and they were recommending 6 months.
LIZS · 04/02/2020 17:13
As we have "a deal" you don't need 6 months until at least the end of the year.
RIBlue · 04/02/2020 17:44
Thanks everyone, I checked the Belgium travel advice page and entry requirements were that no additional period of validity was required. Which is great except I’m an idiot and (luckily) checked the dates again and I’m actually travelling two weeks after it expires, not two weeks before so renewed online today 🙄
mydogDel2 · 11/02/2020 04:33
Not a passport question. I’m booked on domestic flight with easy jet from Gatwick on Thursday for a funeral, I was stressed and booked without checking ID requirements and only have a TFL photocard. Easy jet advice online is unclear and customer service told me a library card was good but it’s not got a photo.(she was Australian, maybe they have photos on them there) I’m so worried they turn me away leaving not enough time to rearrange, my 2 daughters are travelling with me. Anyone recently travelled with an alternative photo ID.?
bettybattenburg · 11/02/2020 04:37
Photo card driving license ? Worked for me in the EU going into Germany.
tribpot · 11/02/2020 05:30
Easyjet identification docs page here - it says they accept:
A valid passport - an expired passport can be used up to a maximum of five years after expiry
Valid photographic EU or Swiss national identity card
Valid photographic driving licence, provisional or full
Valid armed forces identity card
Valid police warrant card/badge
Assuming you don't have any of these (which seems quite possible) I think I would cancel your flight and travel by train - the last thing you need is additional stress on your way to a funeral.
mydogDel2 · 11/02/2020 08:50
Thankyou, I’ve been advised by easy jet to call the British Embasy. I’ll let you know how I get on🌺
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.