What is the latest date I can travel to and return from Europe

[OhFortheLoveOv]

So passport!!! I have just found out my passport expires on October 16 th this year …it was issued Oct 16th 2013!
When would be latest date I could book a weeks holiday to Europe?? I think I understand the rules so I’m guessing I’d need to travel and return before July 16th? But am I wrong? I’m having a panic about being locked up at the airport as I’ve got it wrong!
Also what are everyone’s experiences of the current passport renewal wait times …are they really as long as horror stories my friends are saying ? My default would be just to renew but scared that I wouldn’t get passport back in time.
please help me calm my nerves 😬

I got my passport renewal in about a week at the beginning of this month. Same for my DD renewal. Less than a fortnight.

I don’t know, but thanks for reminding me to renew my passport. It also expires in October and I’m going away in August.

My DH renewed his passport a few weeks ago. It was less than a week from applying to getting his new one.

You need at least three months, based on issue date but what they consider a month is not clear (e.g. they might say end of June). You should check with the country you are going to

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm

"You need at least three months, based on issue date but what they consider a month is not clear"

The rules are perfectly clear. The minimum requirement is three months from the date of leaving the Schengen Area - so for the OP, the latest date for leaving the Area is 16th July if the passport expires on 16th October.

Note that Turkey is not in Schengen and the entry requirement is for the passport to be valid for 150 days from the date of entry.

Bulgaria and Cyprus are not in Schengen but follow the same rules as Schengen - i.e. 3 months validity from the date of leaving the country.