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Do passports need to be valid for 6 months for trip to Spain?

by MJ
(Chicago)

Question: I am a teacher traveling with students to Spain in March/April. Do all passports need to be valid for 6 months beyond our stay?


Answer: Spain is party to the Schengen Agreement and, as such, requires all visitors to possess passports with at least three (3) months of validity beyond the proposed stay in the country.

Anyone whose passport does not presently meet this requirement should apply for a renewal. Since your trip is not until March of next year, there is plenty of time. Routine processing takes 4-6 weeks.

For complete details of the passport renewal processing, click the link below.

How to Renew a Passport

Comments for Do passports need to be valid for 6 months for trip to Spain?

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Unsure of passport
by: Laura

Question: I travel on May 29 to Spain and return on June 2. My passport expires on September 26. Will this be OK? Many thanks.

Answer: You need at least 90 days after your planned date of departure in order to enter Spain. Since your passport will have 116 days left by June 2, you should be okay.

We recommend that you contact the airline you are traveling with to check if they have other requirements.
Business Travel to Spain
by: Katie R

Question: I have to go on a business trip to Spain May 23-27, 2023. My passport expires on August 9, 2023. Will I be okay? If not, how do expedite the renewal process given the current delays? Thank you!

Answer: Your passport has less than the 3 months post-departure validity requirement. You need to do a quick renewal considering you are traveling in 3 weeks. The easiest way to do this is through a private courier. Our trusted service, Rush My Passport, can get your passport in as fast as a week.

Get Passport Fast

Alternatively, you may call 1-877-487-2778 for an appointment two weeks before your scheduled departure. Appointments are extremely limited and you will have to spend a considerable amount of time waiting for a representative to answer your call.
Requirements to enter and leave Spain
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, I will be traveling to Spain next month 4/26-5/2 and my passport expires on 08/23/2023. Am I still meeting the requirements to enter and leave the country? Thank you.

Answer: Yes, your passport still meets the Schengen Agreement Spain imposes for entry/exit.
Passport expires in 4 1/2 months
by: Anonymous

Question: I'm traveling to Spain on December 22 and be back on January 3. Is my passport still okay?

Answer: Yes, your passport is still okay.
NYC to Spain- passport expiring in 4 months
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling 11/11 from NYC to Spain and my passport is expiring on 4/11 next year. I've read online that Spain only has a 3-month validity rule and called USPS who told me to call my airlines who then told me to call the US Embassy to confirm. Would I be okay with my travel plans?

Answer: Spain requires three months beyond your date of departure FROM their country. You will need to move your travel date to an earlier date so your passport meets the requirement.
Spain entry requirements
by: Jus

Question: I’m going to Spain on October 16 to 30th. My USA passport expires Feb 20 2023. Looks like I make the 3-month requirement. Should I renew to be safe?

Answer: The requirement is just 3 months beyond your date of exit from Spain. Your passport still meets the requirement so it's not necessary to renew before your trip.
Spain/Passport validity
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling to Spain on May 26th and returning on June 4th. My passport expires on September 30th. I think I should be okay, but want to verify.

Answer: Yes, you should be okay. Your passport needs to be valid 3 for months after you leave Spain. It still meets the requirement.
renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: My son just turn 18 and his passport expires soon. Are there special requirements for him to get to renew his passport?

Answer: Passports issued to minors cannot be renewed by mail. Your son needs to visit an application acceptance facility and submit Form DS-11 and all supporting documents. For more information, visit get a new passport.

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UPDATE: Mailing delays and high demand are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility.

Standard service may take between 10 and 13 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 7 to 9 weeks excluding mailing times on the front and back end. Current mailing delays are significant. Requesting 1-2-day mailing service is recommended.

Regional passport agencies are offering two types of appointments: Life-of-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 3 business days.

If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment.

For Urgent Travel Service, you need to call 14 days before your scheduled international travel or 28 days if you also need to secure a foreign visa.

If you need to travel urgently for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency, please call the NPIC.

A registered expedited passport courier can often assist in obtaining a passport as quickly as the same day. You can learn more about this service here.

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