Passport nightmare

Clara

Clara

Well-Known Member
I fly out to Ibiza next Friday and have just discovered today that I very nearly missed going altogether.

My UK passport expires in mid November this year so I thought I was fine, however I noticed in my booking information today that it needs to be valid for at least 3 months after the return date meaning that mine wouldn't be accepted.

I nearly cried and contacted the passport people who have booked me in for an appointment the day before I go to get a new passport on the day for £80 odd in total, therefore about a £40 premium as it's a same-day service.

Whilst I'm more than happy to pay this considering how close I came to missing out altogether, the person at the passport service said that there is a chance that I might still be ok with my existing one, and it is up to the carrier (in my case I'm flying with Brittania) and the Spanish Embassy.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or know if I would be ok with my current one? I'd obviously prefer to pay the money when my passport actually expired rather than now but I suppose peace of mind and all that.
 
have you ever heard from "schengen".....you dont need a passport anymore...with any other ID youll be fine! ;)
 
I thought that EU people didn't need passport to cross borders, only ID cards. Isn't it true? I travel around South America only with ID, don't need passport.
 
Conrado said:
I thought that EU people didn't need passport to cross borders, only ID cards. Isn't it true? I travel around South America only with ID, don't need passport.
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We don't have ID cards yet in the UK.
 
Clara said:
Conrado said:
I thought that EU people didn't need passport to cross borders, only ID cards. Isn't it true? I travel around South America only with ID, don't need passport.
Click to expand...

We don't have ID cards yet in the UK.
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Does the driver's license count for an ID card?

Cheers,

LagunaBeachCA
 
I would personnally make sure I had a valid UK passport with at least 6 months just to be sure, but hell, if you get stuck in Ibiza...is it that bad :lol:
 
I've just spoken with Brittania and Lunn Poly (who I booked the holiday with) and they say I'm fine. Phew!
 
Clara said:
I've just spoken with Brittania and Lunn Poly (who I booked the holiday with) and they say I'm fine. Phew!
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I would ask for that in writing....... The last thing you want is to turn up at the Airport and they turn you away :cry:
 
Fraz said:
Clara said:
I've just spoken with Brittania and Lunn Poly (who I booked the holiday with) and they say I'm fine. Phew!
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I would ask for that in writing....... The last thing you want is to turn up at the Airport and they turn you away :cry:
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They seemed pretty certain, apparently it's more in case I end up in trouble during my holiday (ie am arrested) as it can take up to three months for the embassys to sort out.

Brittania actually said that they accept passports which are a year past their expiry date.
 
Clara said:
it's more in case I end up in trouble during my holiday (ie am arrested) as it can take up to three months for the embassys to sort out.
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Have plans and schemes whilst your away then Clarabell? :lol:
 
nish said:
Clara said:
it's more in case I end up in trouble during my holiday (ie am arrested) as it can take up to three months for the embassys to sort out.
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Have plans and schemes whilst your away then Clarabell? :lol:
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Well you never know where you're going to end up after a heavy night!
 
The UK is not part of the Schengen agreement so thats why you need you Brits need a passport.

I must also say that they have made getting Schengen visas a REAL pain - you have to show pre-paid hotel accomodation, receipts for hundreds i Euros per day etc etc basically one gets the feeling you not wanted. We 'Africans' need this stupid visa every time. They also very sticky for how long they give you a visa for, which rules out staying an extra few days.

Or so I thought. Can anyone tell me what the implications are of overstaying your visa time limit by a few days/weeks?
 
kosmos said:
Can anyone tell me what the implications are of overstaying your visa time limit by a few days/weeks?
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You should double check, but I think the visa just lists a timeframe in which you can enter the Shengen area. After that, you can stay for up to the maximum (which I think is 3 months) allowed stay. They usually only give single-entry visas though, so don't take a side-trip outside of the Shengen zone!
 
Thanks Morbid but they always give a certain time period that the visa is due for, normally to match your airticket, and they are quite tight.

In June I only got a 30 day Visa, cause that's what my articket was for. I tried to tell them I wanted to stay a week extra but had not managed yet to change my airticket dates, they were not interested. Double and multiple entry visa have to be applied for and you have to show (prove to) them why you need it.

I am going to Portugal on Wed for the Boom Festival, they only gave me a 14 day single entry visa. Fair enough, I was expecting a 7 day one so at least that opens the door for a quick visit to Ibiza end of August after the Festival :) I know others here who have been given a very hard time over Schengen visas.

Basic rule for us cretins who have need Schegen Visas - sort out all your paper work before, esp. the hotel bookings and forex receipts. And letters from friends offering accomodation don't matter anymore.
 
Just helped a friend out who lost their passport whilst living in ibiza.
He needed to get back to u.k. Luckily he had a photo copy of his passport available.The British Consulate in Ibiza were great,within 20minutes and at a cost of 57 euros an emergency passport allowing him to return to the u.k. anytime within the next 4 days.

Seems the best practice is to take a photo copy of passport with you to be on the safe side.
 
Conrado said:
I thought that EU people didn't need passport to cross borders, only ID cards. Isn't it true? I travel around South America only with ID, don't need passport.
Click to expand...
This is true. But some airlines will only accept a Passport
 
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