PASSPORTS...What's the 'thing'about them having to be so many years old???

[Yankydoodledandy]

I get yr passport must have at least 6 months left on it but is there simething else about it having to have been renewed 5 years ago?

Within 10 years of issue date (ie if you renewed early to get credit of unexpired time on previous one).

Previously if you renewed before your passport expired your passport would be valid for 10 years plus the months you had left on your old passport when you renewed (up to 9 months on top on the 10 years).

Since brexit EU countries will only count the 10 years validity, so they don't count the extra months.