Schengen Passport Validity: Three Months and the Ten-Year Rule
For a third-country national making a short stay, the Schengen Borders Code sets two passport tests: issue date within ten years and validity extending at least three months beyond planned departure.
Article 6 of the Schengen Borders Code sets passport validity conditions for third-country nationals planning a stay of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.
The two validity tests
- The travel document must remain valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Member States.
- The travel document must have been issued within the previous ten years.
The Code allows the three-month condition to be waived in a justified case of emergency. Do not treat that narrow exception as a routine substitute for a passport that meets both tests.
Scope and practical check
These are short-stay entry conditions for third-country nationals. A national long-stay visa, residence document, EU citizenship, or travel to a non-Schengen territory can involve different requirements. Check the issuing authority and carrier requirements for the specific itinerary.
A valid passport does not by itself guarantee entry. Border authorities assess the other Article 6 conditions and the individual case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the passport have to be valid for three months after I leave?
For the short-stay category covered by Article 6, the passport must remain valid at least three months after the intended departure from the Member States, subject to a justified emergency exception.
Does the ten-year rule refer to expiry date?
No. Article 6 says the travel document must have been issued within the previous ten years.
Do these rules guarantee admission if my passport qualifies?
No. They are two entry conditions among several. Travellers must also satisfy the other applicable conditions, and the border authority decides the case.