Passport validity for a Schengen trip

For a non-EU national making a short visit, the passport normally needs to meet two separate date tests. Official EU guidance says it should be valid for at least three months after the intended departure from the EU and must have been issued within the previous 10 years on the day of entry.

Check the dates separately

1. Find the passport issue date. Count back 10 years from the planned entry date.
2. Find the passport expiry date. Compare it with the planned date of leaving the EU.
3. Check the rule for every country and territory on the route, including transit.

Do not add unused months from an old passport to the issue-date calculation. The current document's printed issue and expiry dates are the facts that matter.

Passport validity is not a visa decision

A passport passing these date checks does not prove that you can enter. Your nationality, destination, trip purpose and length of stay can create a visa requirement. Border officials may also ask for proof of accommodation, a return or onward ticket and enough funds.

Use the Schengen Days Calculator only for the standard 90 days in any rolling 180-day period calculation. It does not decide visa validity or how a residence permit, long-stay visa, bilateral arrangement or special status is treated.

Before booking

Open the official Your Europe page, then check the embassy or consulate responsible for the main destination. Use the exact passport nationality and trip purpose. If the official sources differ or your status is unusual, ask the competent authority before buying a non-refundable journey.

This page is general planning information. The carrier can check documents before boarding, but a carrier's check does not replace a border decision.