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Thousands are turned away at check-in every summer. Use our free checker to see if your passport meets the rules for your destination — before you book.
- Checks the 6-month rule for 100+ countries
- Flags the EU's 10-year rule that catches Brits every summer
- Renewal alerts so you never get caught short again
- Encrypted — only you can see your passport
How the 6-month rule actually works
The "6-month rule" means your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry — not your return date, and not your expiry date. Airlines, not just border officers, enforce it at check-in.
- 1.Find your destination's rule — 6 months, 3 months, or "valid for stay". Our full country list has every one.
- 2.Count forward from your arrival date, not today. If your passport expires before that mark, you'll be refused boarding.
- 3.If you fail the check, same-day & one-week renewals can save the trip — if you act fast.
This week's must-reads
All guides →
ExplainerThe 6-month rule, in plain English
What it actually means, who enforces it, and the date you should be counting from.
Country listThe 60+ countries in the 'six-month club'
The full list of destinations where airlines will refuse boarding without 6 clear months.
RenewalsFast-track UK passport renewal — what really works
Same-day vs One Week service: real waits, true costs, and who actually qualifies.
EUThe EU 10-year rule that catches Brits every summer
Post-Brexit, your passport issue date matters as much as the expiry. Here's why.
Denied boarding doesn't get you a refund
Airlines check your passport against the destination's rule the moment you check in. If you fail, your ticket is marked "used", insurance usually won't cover you, and you pay full price to rebook. Read what really happens →
Check by destination
All countries →EU / Schengen3 months beyond stay + 10-year rule
See the rule →
United States6-month rule (with 'six month club' exception)
See the rule →
United KingdomDuration-of-stay for visitors
See the rule →ThailandStrict 6 months — no exceptions
See the rule →UAE (Dubai)6 months, enforced at check-in
See the rule →
Indonesia (Bali)6 months, enforced on arrival
See the rule →1. Add your passport
Issue date, expiry, country. Two minutes.
2. Pick a destination
EU, US, UK, Thailand, Japan & more — with the exact rule for each.
3. Know before you book
Safe, cutting-it-fine, or renew first. We tell you straight.
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Travel & passport guides
All guides →What it means, who enforces it, how to check.
Read →The Brexit-era trap that catches UK travellers every summer.
Read →What HMPO quotes vs. what really happens.
Read →
Why airlines are stricter than immigration.
Read →Country-by-country: where you can still go.
Read →How many blank pages each country wants.
Read →Frequently asked questions
The questions travellers Google most before booking.
- What is the 6-month passport rule?
- Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry — not your return date. If it isn't, airlines will usually refuse to let you board.
- Which countries enforce the 6-month rule?
- Thailand, Indonesia (Bali), the UAE, Singapore, Vietnam, Egypt, Brazil and most of South-East Asia and the Middle East strictly enforce it. The EU uses a 3-month rule instead, and the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and Japan only need the passport to cover your stay.
- Does the EU require 6 months on my passport?
- No. The EU/Schengen rule is 3 months beyond your planned departure, plus the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your date of entry.
- What happens if my passport has less than 6 months left?
- The airline check-in system flags your passport against the destination's rule. If it fails, you'll be denied boarding — no refund, ticket marked used. The fastest fix is the UK Premium (same-day) or One Week Fast Track renewal service.
- How early should I renew my UK passport?
- Renew when you have around 9 months left. You don't lose unused time — HMPO issues the new passport for 10 years from the new date.