Six-month rule? US Passport to Italy

Michael's answer is correct but I, personally, would not enter without the six months or more. If there was accident or delayed in departing and your passport expired you would have all kinds of problem getting back to the US. The airline probably would not allow on and I can imagine our governments attitude if you could get to the front door. We always renew our passports when we have about nine months to a year to go.

The State Department is correct-three months. Several years ago the rule used to be six months but RS has never updated it for some reason. Some countries in Schengen like Germany and I think Belgium have eliminated the rule; your passport simply needs to be valid for the length of your stay.

I had an airline tell me "just a reminder that you are getting close to the six month rule" when I was in Italy, I was actually on the way home. I renew at 9 months now, why take the chance?

You've just learned a valuable lesson--there is no consistency when there's a changing government rule. Some will follow the old, some will follow the new.

When rules change, that doesn't mean everyone knows. Always defer to the one that gives you less. In this case, 6 months.

Added to the confusion, some airlines and other agencies interpret the rule based on when you leave...meaning if you leave today, regardless of a return ticket (it can be changed) you have up to 90 days valid visa there, plus the 90 days after return. So to show up at check-in with less than 6 months valid has caused some travellers problems. Yes, you can carry a copy of the policy with you...but when you are trying to catch a flight, arguing with Airline Personnel or the TSA puts you in a losing position. Basically, if you have plenty time to get a new passport, and are cutting it close...just get the new passport now.

I was in the same situation last year and got in/out ok. I checked with the German consulate (we flew into Cologne) to verify and they reiterated the 90 days requirement. We were there roughly April 20-30 and my passport expired September 20.

I am sure the State Department Site is correct, but as another response pointed out, not everyone is on the same page on this. I had a friend who is a VERY experienced world traveler had to scramble when she tried to follow the three month rule only to learn this lesson the hard way...definitely err on the 6th month side if you are able if you are traveling in the near future!

Hi, Folks. Joe, re-read the State Department site, there are a couple of keywords there, "for at least three months beyond the period of stay".
Many countries interpret the "period of stay" as the length your Visa could potentially allow you to stay - not the actual dates you are traveling on.

So the state department site has it right. Your passport should be good for:

A 3 months visa + 3 months beyond the allowed period of stay = 6 months! :)

Hope that helps. The guys at customs may be more flexible than that (and often are), but I don't think it's worth messing with. Grin.

Thanks to all for your helpful replies. Your advice has helped me decide to renew my passport now so that it will not expire within six months of my return date. Happy travels!

Fyi, I renewed my passport recently (sent it out on Jan 21st) and got my new, emptier one in the mail last week... total of about 3 weeks from beginning to end. Regular mail, non-expedited.

Chris: I disagree, there's a link to the Schengen Fact Sheet on the Department of State website which points out exactly what the 90 days is from:

24 European countries are party to the Schengen agreement. This agreement eliminates all internal border controls between them. To enter one Schengen country is to gain up to 90 days of continuous travel between the member states. American citizens traveling for business or tourism are not required to have a visa for this initial entry into the Schengen area, but must have a passport valid three months beyond the proposed stay. (For a two week business trip, the passport must be valid for four months, for a two month holiday the passport must be valid for five months, for example.)

Geez, I did not know a passport had to be valid beyond the trip dates. Good to know!

There are some places in Europe where your passport only needs to be valid during your trip dates. Off hand I believe this is the case in Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg.