After 29 March 2019, if you’re a British passport holder (including passports issued by the Crown Dependencies and Gibraltar), you’ll be considered a third country national – under the Schengen Border Code – and will need to comply with different rules to enter and travel around the Schengen area. Third country nationals are citizens of countries (like Australia, Canada and the USA) which do not belong to the EU or the European Economic Area.
have at least 3 months’ validity remaining on the date of intended departure from the last country visited in the Schengen area. Because third country nationals can remain in the Schengen area for 90 days (approximately 3 months’), the actual check carried out could be that the passport has at least 6 months’ validity remaining on the date of arrival.
If you plan to travel to the Schengen area after 29 March 2019, to avoid any possibility of your adult British passport not complying with the Schengen Border Code, we suggest that you check the issue date and make sure your passport is no older than 9 years and 6 months on the day of travel.
The easiest way to renew your passport is online. Or find out about other ways of applying to renew your passport.
Given the topic of this update, it seems a timely opportunity to introduce you to Ina Iteva, our new immigration specialist.
If you have any concerns or issues linked to immigration and/or the impact of Brexit on your workforce please contact Ina on +44 (0)20 3691 2076 or email isiteva@greenwoodsgrm.co.uk.