Check your passport in 30 seconds — free
Compare your passport and trip dates with the published validity rule for your destination before you book.
- Covers published validity rules for 30+ destinations
- Flags the EU's 10-year rule that catches Brits every summer
- Shows the official source for a final check
- Your dates stay in your browser
How the 6-month rule actually works
The "6-month rule" means your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry — not your return date, and not your expiry date. Airlines, not just border officers, enforce it at check-in.
- 1.Find your destination's rule — 6 months, 3 months, or "valid for stay". Our full country list has every one.
- 2.Count forward from your arrival date, not today. If your passport expires before that mark, you'll be refused boarding.
- 3.If you fail the check, same-day & one-week renewals can save the trip — if you act fast.
Start with your destination
The answer can change with your passport country and return date. Choose a destination, then enter the complete trip.
Can I travel to EU / Schengen Area?
A date check based on the published entry rule — not a boarding guarantee.
Ask the Passport Assistant — any country, any question
Instant answers on the 6-month rule, visas, renewal timing and airline check-in policies. No sign-up.
Featured passport guides
All guides →
ExplainerThe 6-month rule, in plain English
What it actually means, who enforces it, and the date you should be counting from.
Country listThe 60+ countries in the 'six-month club'
A practical list of destinations that publish a six-month validity requirement.
RenewalsFast-track UK passport renewal — what really works
Same-day vs One Week service: real waits, true costs, and who actually qualifies.
EUThe EU 10-year rule that catches Brits every summer
Post-Brexit, your passport issue date matters as much as the expiry. Here's why.
A failed document check can disrupt your trip
Airlines check travel documents before boarding, but ticket and insurance outcomes depend on the provider and policy. Check the rule early, then contact your airline if your dates are close to the limit. Read what really happens →
Check by destination
All countries →EU / Schengen3 months beyond stay + 10-year rule
See the rule →
United States6-month rule (with 'six month club' exception)
See the rule →
United KingdomDuration-of-stay for visitors
See the rule →ThailandStrict 6 months — no exceptions
See the rule →UAE (Dubai)6 months, enforced at check-in
See the rule →
Indonesia (Bali)6 months, enforced on arrival
See the rule →1. Add your passport
Issue date, expiry, country. Two minutes.
2. Pick a destination
EU, US, UK, Thailand, Japan & more — with the exact rule for each.
3. Know before you book
See whether your dates clear the published rule and what still needs checking.
Free weekly newsletter
Get weekly passport & travel-rule tips
Free weekly email. Country rule changes, renewal speed alerts, and practical checks before you book.
No spam. Unsubscribe any time. We never share your email.
Travel & passport guides
All guides →What it means, who enforces it, how to check.
Read →The Brexit-era trap that catches UK travellers every summer.
Read →What HMPO quotes vs. what really happens.
Read →
Why airlines are stricter than immigration.
Read →Country-by-country: where you can still go.
Read →How many blank pages each country wants.
Read →Frequently asked questions
The questions travellers Google most before booking.
- What is the 6-month passport rule?
- Many countries require your passport to remain valid for a set period after arrival. Other destinations count from your planned departure, so the correct date depends on the destination.
- Which countries enforce the 6-month rule?
- Thailand, Indonesia, the UAE, Singapore, Vietnam and Egypt publish six-month requirements. The EU uses a three-month-after-departure rule, while several countries require validity only through the stay. Always check the destination's official source.
- Does the EU require 6 months on my passport?
- No. The EU/Schengen rule is 3 months beyond your planned departure, plus the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your date of entry.
- What happens if my passport has less than 6 months left?
- You may be unable to board or enter the destination. Check the official rule and your airline's document requirements before changing a booking, then use the appropriate government renewal service if needed.
- How early should I renew my UK passport?
- Renew when you have around 9 months left. You don't lose unused time — HMPO issues the new passport for 10 years from the new date.