Passport validity checker for Europe
Check your passport against the two rules that catch travellers out, then see how ETIAS links to that passport. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.
In brief
ETIAS at a glance
- Status
- Not live yet
- Expected launch
- Last quarter of 2026
- Applications open
- Not yet
- Official fee
- Expected €20
- Validity
- 3 years or until passport expiry
- Stay limit
- 90 days in any 180-day period
- Official application route
- Official EU ETIAS website / app when live
- Private help
- ETIAS Pro may offer optional support when applications open
What are the passport rules for Europe?
Visa-exempt travellers need a passport that satisfies two conditions for short stays in the Schengen area: it must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure, and it must have been issued within the last 10 years on the day you arrive. Both are checked at the border, and either one can stop a trip if missed.
Check your passport
Enter your travel dates and passport expiry, and add the issue date to check the 10-year rule too. The result is informational and runs in your browser, so nothing is sent or stored.
Enter your entry, exit and passport expiry dates to see a result.
The 3-month validity rule
Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the day you intend to leave the Schengen area. Because the rule counts from your departure, a passport that is fine for the outbound flight can still fall short for the return. If you are close, renew early.
The 10-year issue rule
Your passport should have been issued less than 10 years before the day you enter. Some older passports carried extra months added on at renewal, and those extra months do not count for entry to Europe. This catches out travellers whose passport still shows a valid expiry date but was issued more than 10 years ago.
How ETIAS links to your passport
When ETIAS opens, your authorisation will be tied to the exact passport you apply with. If you renew that passport, the ETIAS does not carry over, so you will need a new one. It is worth sorting passport renewals before you apply for ETIAS, not after. See ETIAS passport requirements for more.
What to do now
Check your passport against both rules for your travel dates. If it is close to 10 years old or runs out within a few months of your trip, renew it now. ETIAS is not open yet, so there is nothing else to do today.
Get one email when ETIAS opens
Get one email when ETIAS applications open. No passport details. No payment before launch.
Passport validity FAQs
What if my passport expires before my ETIAS does?
ETIAS is expected to be linked to a single passport. If that passport expires, your ETIAS expires with it. After renewing your passport, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS using the new passport details.
How long will ETIAS last?
An approved ETIAS is expected to be valid for up to 3 years, or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever comes first. It allows short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period within ETIAS countries.
What is the 90/180-day Schengen rule?
ETIAS-eligible travellers can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day window. ETIAS does not extend that limit; it only authorises short stays within the existing rules.
Can I apply for ETIAS now?
No. The official ETIAS system is not open yet, so it is not possible for anyone to apply. Any website claiming to issue ETIAS today is not legitimate.
Related pages
Get ready for ETIAS before it becomes mandatory
ETIAS is not live yet. Check whether you’re likely to need it and get one email when applications open.