Schengen Area Passport Validity Requirements

Interesting development. FWIW the German Consulate site hasn't changed/updated the info on their site: "...US citizens in possession of a valid US passport do not need a visa for airport transit, tourist or business trips (for stays up to 90 days). The passport must not expire before the end of the scheduled trip...."

It has no bearing since it addresses third-country nationals. The US is an Annex II nation. Understand first; post second. Prevent urban myths.

Ed, Can you explain what "Annex II" means in terms of the EU? I was curious and couldn't find anything about that except for under U.N. information. When I read the regulation, it sounded like "third country national referred to anyone who was not a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. I noticed this update: http://www.police.hu/english/new-rules-on-passports-concerning-non-eu-nationals

Annex II is part of one of the basic documents that lists the nations that get the easy deal. It's what the big experts posts about all the time - - 90/180, all that's needed is a passport, no real visa, show up, come in, etc. It's mostly nations of North and South America, parts of Asia, etc. These nation have visa exceptions, but, everybody here calls the little entry stamp a visa stamp. Third-country nationals are the rest of the world - - they have to apply for a real visa prior to arrival.

Miranda, My interpretation of the regulations in link you provided is that the new rules apply to ALL persons who aren't citizens of the E.U. It doesn't seem to make any distinction or exemptions for the Annex II countries. I don't see this as a big problem. I'll just make sure my Passport is valid for at least three months beyond my expected departure date from the E.U. I'll be getting a 10-year version next time I renew, so that shouldn't be difficult. Cheers!

Well, huh. Apparently I was dead wrong. Again.

Here is what the US State Dept says about Schengen entry. Since the Schengen "visa" is valid for 90 days after entry, it makes sense that your passport would have to be valid for at least the time you could stay in the Schengen zone.

@Ed, You're not necessarily wrong. What I posted above is only my interpretation, and I could also be wrong.

Throughout EU-legalese, "third-country national" usually refers to a citizen of a country other than those of EU (and often also other than Norway, Iceland and Switzerland since they adhere to most provisions of EU on an equal basis).

US and Canadian passport holders are third-country nationals and according to these new rules now have to have a passport valid for at least 3 months after their scheduled departure date from the Schengen area. It's a wise idea to always renew your passport when it gets close to within 6 months of expiration date just to be safe.

Throughout EU-legalese, "third-country national" usually refers to a citizen of a country other than those of EU (and often also other than Norway, Iceland and Switzerland since they adhere to most provisions of EU on an equal basis). Almost... Third country nationals refers to the citizens of all countries that are not a party to a particular EU treaty - so in the case of the Schengen Agreement, citizens of EU states that are not parties to the treaty are technically third counrty citizens too, although since they are also EU citizens they are entitled to free movement in any case.