Schengen Entry Passport Validity
 

Hello all, I've been reading some conflicting information as to what is the requirements in terms of passport validity for entry to the Schengen area.

Some people I've spoken to and some websites mention a 3+3 rule, where your passport needs to be valid for the 3 months visa free period, as well as for 3 months after.

​​​​​Other websites only mention that passports need to be valid for 3 months after intended departure.

​​​​​Specific info: Canadian passport, planned 2 week visit, passport good for 4 months counting for day of return flight.

Will I be allowed to enter?

For third country nations, there are two requirements to enter the European Union Schengen area

On the day of arrival the passport must be less than 10 years old.

On the intended day of departure from the Schengen area, it must have at least three months remaining before expiration.

Those two conditions are independent so if your passport is valid for four months at your point of departing, i think you meet that test

Where did you get that from, I've never heard of such a requirement!!!!

Some countries - the UK being one of them - used to add upto nine months of unexpired time from a previous passport onto your new one but that no longer happens.

But it’s still an issue because previously issued passports have more than 10 years validity - my last passport was valid for 10 years 8 months for example due to the add back.

For Schengen they now exclude such added back time.

it’s caused some problems for UK passports issued before 2017 with add back (when add back ended) as Schengen immigration are taking validity as being 10 years from the date of issue and excluding the add back.

Situation re 10 year validity clarified here https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...-b2074609.html