Passport requirements...

Imagine my horror when on the 7th April we realised our daughters passport was out of date, we fly to ibiza on 31st May, the passport office was already on strike at this point. Called the passport office and they said don’t bother trying for one of those fast track applications, the whole country is now doing that, they advised to submit as normal.

2 weeks later we have the new passport in our hands.
 
Midlands-Andy said:
Imagine my horror when on the 7th April we realised our daughters passport was out of date, the passport office was already on strike at this point. Called the passport office and they said don’t bother trying for one of those fast track applications, the whole country is now doing that, they advised to submit as normal.

2 weeks later we have the new passport in our hands.
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Good news! (And a reminder to send my son's in! Cheers!)
 
Looks like the system for scanning iris's + fingerprinting (profiling) followed by the ETIAS has been put back even further (official announcement soon??). Simply isn't ready, and the French have noted that, as they are hosting the Olympics in Summer 2024, they will be requiring hundreds/thousands of volunteers, many from the UK, wo would get held up if the system was introduced and in some cases, banned from entry. Also all the athletes would have to be Schengen-approved.

Would look bad the Olympics in Paris without key volunteers, staff and athletes because the system had collapsed under the weight? Personally (don't quote!) I think the next best option...if it's coming in at all...would be to introduce it 18 months from now, in the off-peak November 2024 period.

On the other hand, better to scrap the whole darned thing as an expensive folly and going back to scanning passports and if you're wanted then hoik them out of the queue.
 
My passport doesn't expire until mid 2026; but as the EES (and ETIAS) is coming in, it means unless I get a new passport now I will have to go through all those protocols twice within a year - so no thanks, I'll throw a year away in order to have a fresh start and I can keep count!

It's a bit odd having ten-year passports but 3-year validity of the EES; means you have to do four protocols in 10 years or simply "waste" a year if you want to avoid that fourth - although I suppose it depends on how easy/difficult/time-consuming getting those scans and fingerprints is.

Thanks, Brexit.
 
Buckley said:
Having a passport nightmare...no appointments available at all and my 10 year old only has 2.5 months left on at return.

Anyone any recent experience, hints, tricks...or contacts at London passport office?
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I went through the post office- paid the extra £15 and they check everything there and then for you and express it through the system. Had my shiny new passport a fortnight later.
 
Padster said:
I went through the post office- paid the extra £15 and they check everything there and then for you and express it through the system. Had my shiny new passport a fortnight later.
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Just the youngest's renewed online at the standard rate and had it back with 10 days😎
 
Not passport but I’ve read a few stories this week saying that if you can’t provide proof of adequate travel insurance upon entering Spain you’re liable for a €6,900 fine.
I don’t carry proof usually but will print some off before my next trip.
I’ve yet to hear of anyone actually fined for no proof of address/insurance type fines but don’t need the stress of thinking it may happen.
 
Mekka said:
Not passport but I’ve read a few stories this week saying that if you can’t provide proof of adequate travel insurance upon entering Spain you’re liable for a €6,900 fine.
I don’t carry proof usually but will print some off before my next trip.
I’ve yet to hear of anyone actually fined for no proof of address/insurance type fines but don’t need the stress of thinking it may happen.
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Chances are you will have organised that online so you will have e-mails which contain insurance details. But as you suggest, quicker and easier just to take paper documents printed off! If they ask if you have enough cash for your stay, I usually carry 100e in notes or less, everything's on my travel and debit cards. Does immigration have the power to read your cards to ensure you have sufficient funds?
 
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