Summer born DS17 - European travel with mates

[RomComPhooey]

Year 13 DS1 has a late (in academic year) birthday. He wants to go abroad with friends after they all finish their exams. They are currently looking at France or Czechoslovakia.

How straightforward is it for a minor to travel with friends? Does one of the 18 year olds have to be the accompanying adult? What paperwork does he need? I’ve been googling but most of the government advice and EU pages I’ve found seem more geared to younger children.

He will be properly insured. If he’s not able to travel independently on the family annual policy we’ll take out separate teavel insurance for him.

If he’s flying check the airline requirements. He may need a note giving parental permission.

He should be fine in Prague. The only issue would be accommodation, but if one of the group is over 18 then that solves that issue.

this may be useful:
europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/travel-documents-minors/indexamp_en.htm

Thank you @whumpthereitis . He will be travelling in a group where the others are all 18.

I don’t see there being an issue there. Is he intending to stick to one or two countries, or is he interested in interrailing? I did Prague - Budapest - Belgrade as a teen. You can interrail at 17 on a youth pass, as long as you’ve got a valid passport and the written consent of a parent.

Does he have a child passport still? Don’t know if that makes a difference.

As far as I can tell it doesn’t matter whether it’s a 5 year or 10 year passport as long as it is valid with enough months afterwards for the post-EU requirement.

Direct Line has confirmed he is covered by our annual travel policy as long as is travelling with another adult who is insured. They do not have to be on the same policy as my DS.

Ok it’s just I’ve renewed dds passport and she’s 16 and got an adult one and it didn’t need a counter signature etc that you need for a child’s one so I didn’t know if the type of passport affects anything. But saying that they could renew at 15 and still have a child’s one at 20!