I understand that there are times where when traveling in Europe your passport has to be valid for 6 months past the time of your travel. Does that hold true for traveling by Eurostar into Paris and by train from Paris to German?
Posted by
1172 posts
It is a good rule to follow for any international travel.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Different countries have different rules...yes you must have a certain amount of time remaining on your passport AFTER your travel times. If you're passport is invalid you'll be stopped either before you board from the USA or when you land at your destination country. Once you've been admitted into a Schengen zone country (passport checked) you can theoretically move freely between other Schengen countries without being checked at the border. Of course there can always be exceptions and you can be asked for identification at any time.
Just make sure you have at least 6 months validity remaining. You don't want to split hairs over something that trivial.
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
Sometimes people have trips scheduled and are trying to figure out the best time to renew a passport in between trips. But some people don't want to renew early because they'll have to pay early. A passport renewal is $110 and the execution fee is $35. That comes to $12 a year over 10 years. Is it really worth it to squeeze that last $12 and make the passport last a full 10 years? Be glad you get to travel and use it at all.
(Sorry, drthetford1. This rant was not directed at you. Please forgive my piggyback rant on to your perfectly reasonable question. ;) )
Posted by
OP
83 posts
Karen,
No worries. I just wish I had realized this rule before today since we are flying out in 4 weeks. Thank goodness I had looked at the Travel Tips on this website today and that's how I found out. Just ran out and got my passport pictures. Sending in the paperwork tomorrow and having it expedited. Just a little scary that I hope my passport I am sending them doesn't get lost in the mail--Feels somewhat vulnerable to have to send in my passport with the renewal. Wish me luck!
Posted by
Southeastern USA
996 posts
Fingers crossed that your new passport arrives in plenty of time! :-)