UK nationals who have to spend their vacations in any EU destination are advised to check their passport validity before travelling to the zone.
According to Schengen rules, passports of third-country nationals, including UK nationals since Brexit, must be valid for another at least three months after leaving the EU. Otherwise, these nationals risk overstaying their visa-free limit and can face serious consequences, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
In addition to the passport validity requirements, UK passports need to be issued within ten years before entering the Schengen Area, so Brits should also check the date of passport issuance.
Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both of these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
Brits are also reminded to check the stamps of their passport when they enter or exit the Schengen zone, which is checked by border guards and indicates whether they are complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short-term stays.
However, evidence such as boarding passes and tickets, which include the Schengen area entry or exit date, can serve Brits as proof, and they can ask border guards to add this date and location to their travel document. Those living in Portugal do not need to have their passport stamped but rather present proof of residence and passport at border control.
UK and other non-EU nationals can use e-gates to pass through, provided their passport is stamped by the border officer. However, using e-gates to exit a certain country, for example, Portugal, is not allowed if that individual has entered from another EU country.
Brits are able to travel to the Schengen Area for 90 days within 180 days without having to obtain a visa. Their purpose of visit can include tourism, family visits, business meetings, or short-term studies or training.
However, for longer stays, UK nationals have to apply for a long-stay visa, which can be issued for employment, study, or other purposes. Failing to apply for a visa is considered overstaying the permitted stay and can include restrictions such as temporary bans and deportation.
Portugal, Spain, and Greece are some of the most popular destinations for Brits, who often spend their holidays in these coastal EU countries. By abiding by the Schengen rules, they can continue enjoying their vacations to these destinations.
According to VisaGuide.World, around 41 countries, including the Schengen Area member states, require a three-month passport validity, whereas some 70 countries in the world require six more months of passport validity after leaving the respective country.
Source SchengenVisaInfo.com