This thread isn't a complaint against any holiday company etc, but rather a question that i need answering from anyone " in the know" about passport validity.

I and my family are due to fly to Spain in late september of this year for a fortnights holiday, meaning we obviously return somewhere around the 10th october.

three of my childrens passports expire in April 2010, and just out of curiosity i enquired with East Mids airport to make sure they was ok to fly because i had read that in some countries you needed at least 6 months left on your passport AFTER your return date.

East Mids replied that as far as they were concerned we were ok to travel, but suggested i check with my airline as it is their call.

I e-mailed TCX and they replied saying that i need written proof that it is ok to fly FROM THE SPANISH EMBASSY.

I couldnt find an e-mail address for that, but while i was looking i came accross the Foreign office website, and checked on their passport section under Spain. On there it states that there is " no period of validity for a passport provided that it lasts long enough to cover your return".

I e-mailed back to TCX and pasted the section into my e-mail.

They then rang me the day later to say they had received my e-mail BUT they still needed written proof from the Spanish Embassy.

I need help with this because it's doing my head in. I dont want to buy three new passports ( now they are teenagers, i'll have to pay for adult ones ), if i dont need them.

Does anyone know who's correct here, plus can anyone give me the e-mail and address of the Spanish Embassy i need to contact.

Thanks in anticipation for your help.

P.S

Here is the paragraph from the Foreign Office website....

"" Passport validity

A valid British passport must be held for entry to and exit from Spain. There is no minimum passport validity requirement but you should ensure that your passport is valid for the proposed period of your stay. ""

Why after reading this statement, do i need written proof from the Spanish Embassy ??????

Spanish Embassy London

Unfortunately there does not seem to be an email address with regards to VISA enquiries(I did search for you on that one).

Thanks yourbank. There isnt a problem concerning visa's because i know we do not need one of those, but i'm totally confused as to why i need proof from the Embassy when EVERYTHING else seems to say i don't.

Thanks for the link though my friend.

I wrote a long reply before realising that you'd said April 2010. That will teach me.

I think you are being given the roundabout. Your passport is valid, full stop. Problems arise when passports run out during holidays, not after, and you're travelling within the EU.

I wouldn't give it a second thought, tbh.

Thanks Bookworm. That was my thoughts entirely, but with TCX informing me about needing the letter, i didn't want to turn up to the airport to be told i couldnt fly.

Thanks for the help.

I can rest easier now.

Some countries DO require 6 months clear on a passport so I can understand why the airline is asking for this. I'm fairly sure Spain isn't one of them but it will be have been a 'stock' answer from a fairly low level employee. You don't even need a passport to travel within the EU - you do need a valid form of ID and a passport is one most us us have that the airlines accept.

Might be worth taking a screenshot of the FO website page and having that with you just in case you come up against another jobsworth at the airport.

You can renew a UK passport up to 9 months before expiry and it will have the 9 months added to the validity period. They claim that they can turn renewals around in about two weeks as well.

Some countries DO require 6 months clear on a passport so I can understand why the airline is asking for this. I'm fairly sure Spain isn't one of them but it will be have been a 'stock' answer from a fairly low level employee. You don't even need a passport to travel within the EU - you do need a valid form of ID and a passport is one most us us have that the airlines accept.

Might be worth taking a screenshot of the FO website page and having that with you just in case you come up against another jobsworth at the airport.

Whilst it is true that some European countries don't check passports on arrival, the UK isn't one of them. The requirement for entry (as a Brit or European citizen) is to be able to prove both Identity and Nationality, so just carrying ID will fall short.

That doesn't mean that you would be refused entry, but you would be subjected to delays while further checks were made to confirm nationality, and you also run the risk of the airline refusing to carry you for fear of a £2000 fine under the Carriers Liability Act.

There are exceptions, such as the Republic of Ireland - not part of the UK, but still within Europe - The RoI however falls under the rules of the Common Travel Area (UK, RoI & Crown Dependencies).

I've travelled in and out of this country on a valid form of ID - admittedly those that are accepted do also prove nationality.

Thanks all for your comments and help.

Steve, true, i can renew their passports probably now and get them to continue the validity, but changing three childrens passports to adults at seventy some odd pounds each, is an expense that i don't need at the mo. paying for the holiday and trying to get some spending money is enough trouble.

thanks all the same.

Spain Entry Requirements, Visas and Passports

hi

this is all you need, i am a bit busy at moment but if you want i can get in to thomas cook agents web site and get you something in writing just pm me

ps you do need to give passport details before travel this is new ruling

Spain

Passport Required?BritishYesAustralianYesCanadianYesUSAYesOther EU1Visa Required?BritishNoAustralianNo/2CanadianNo/2USANo/2Other EUNoReturn Ticket Required?BritishNoAustralianNoCanadianNoUSANoOther EUNo

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:

Hi almond.

As you can see, i've pasted the info' off the site you gave me link for. As you can see, this is yet another variant on the rules for length of validity AFTER the end of your holiday.

One site says, as long as it is in date when we return.

The site above states as long as it is valid for three months.

What is the actual, final truth ?

3 months is all you need i always ask customers how long they have left

and advise them if its 5 months to get a new one since i have had a few that have booked a holiday and found a member of families passport has ran out.

Passport validity: A valid British passport must be held for entry to and exit from Spain. There is no minimum validity requirement but it must be valid for the proposed period of your stay.

http://www.spanish-airport-guide.com/travel-fact-sheet.html

Thanks Bookworm. That was my thoughts entirely, but with TCX informing me about needing the letter, i didn't want to turn up to the airport to be told i couldnt fly.

Thanks for the help.

I can rest easier now.

I would not ignore it as it will play on your mind if nothing else. On a recent trip to Spain ourselves I realized our son would have only had 5 months left on return and decided to check with TCX. They informed me that they would definately decline boarding as they state in their terms and condition that you need at least 6 months from the date of return. I had the same argument with them that it was needed for another EU country but to no avail. Therefore 3 days before travelling I had to get and an emergency renewal at additional costs:mad: