Summer holidays have arrived, with lots of Scots preparing to jet off to spend some time in the sun.
Despite all the excitement of edging closer to that well deserved break, preparing to go on holiday as well as travelling to your destination can be a little stressful as you make sure every person in your party has the correct documents.
If a passport or other ID is forgotten, the entire trip could be at risk, with travellers unable to board the plane. It is therefore important to check the rules well in advance to make sure you and your travel companions have every they need.
And to make things a little confusing, the rules differ for domestic flights compared to international ones.
To make sure you are in the know, here are all the guidelines from airlines including Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet and TUI in regards to passport controls, reports Birmingham Live.
Ryanair passport rules
There are various rules for photo ID requirements for travelling abroad with Ryanair.
All travellers must have a valid passport.
Those travelling outside the EEA (European Economic Area) must have a passport valid for the period of extended stay, expect from the below countries:
- For travel to Jordan, the passport must be valid for six months beyond the period of the intended stay.
- For travel to Turkey, the passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry.
- For travel to Montenegro, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months.
- For travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months.
Those travelling to Israel must have a ticket for flying out of the country.
All non-EU passport holders who are travelling to a Schengen member country must have a passport valid for at least three moths from the date they will leave the country, unless they hold a Schengen-issued residence permit or long-term visa.
UK passport holders travelling into a member country, apart from Ireland, must have sure their passport is:
- valid for at least three months from the date they will leave the Schengen member country, unless the person has a Schengen-issued residence permit or long-term visa.
- should be issued within the previous 10 years upon the date of arrival
You can find out more here.
Jet2 passport rules
Those travelling on international flights must present a valid passport or national ID card in order to board.
For domestic flights, those aged 16 and over must present a valid photographic identification. The airline recommends travelling with a passport on international flights, but will also accept one of the following documents provided it has a photograph and is valid on the date of travel:
- Citizen Card
- Driving licence
- Student ID card (international, National Union of Students or University/College ID)
- Armed forces ID card
- Police warrant card/badge
- Airport employee’s security ID pass
- Government issued ID card
- Official Company ID card
- Electoral ID card (EIC issued to eligible N Ireland citizens)
- UK Council issued bus pass (Senior Citizens only)
- Fire Arms certificate
Children under the age of 16 may travel on domestic flights without photographic ID, providing they are travelling with an adult in possession of a required, valid document who can vouch for their identity.
Following the new passport rules for UK passport holders, the airline urges travellers heading to EU destinations to ask the below questions in preparation for their trip.
- On the day you arrive into the EU, will your passport’s “Date of issue” be less than 10 years old?
- On the day you leave the EU, will your passport have at least three months remaining (based on the “Date of expiry”)?
Destinations, including Turkey, operate slightly different rules. You can find out more online.
TUI passport rules
Travellers are required to hold a valid photographic ID, with Tui urging that it is the responsibility of passengers to make sure their documents are valid and correct.
British Citizens are required to hold a valid 10-year passport international travel, with the government recommending that there are six months left on your passport on the day of travel.
To travel in Europe, the airline warns that there must be a minimum of three months left on your passport from the day you are planning to arrive home,
If you passport does not meet these requirements, you may not be able to travel.
Other countries have different rules, such as having six months left on a valid passport or blank pages.
Tui urges passengers to visit the Gov.uk website for advice on the specific country they are travelling too.
The airline also reminds customers that it is your responsibility to check whether a visa is required to enter your destination country.
British Citizens under 16 years old, including newborn babies, are required to have a child passport, with child passport initially valid for five years. These can then be renewed for a further five year period.
There are different rules when travelling on domestic flights or to the Channel Islands/Irish Republic.
For domestic/Channel Islands journeys passengers must present one of the following forms of valid photographic ID:
- Passport
- Citizen card
- Photographic driving license
- Student Card
- Forces ID Card
- Airport/Airline Employees Security ID Pass
- Police Warrant Card/Badge
- Photographic Bus Pass
Find out more here.
easyJet passport rules
EasyJet reminds passengers that identification is required in order to board both domestic and international fights.
Photographic ID is required on all domestic flights for adult travellers, with children under the age of 16 not required to show ID on domestic flights (excluding Italy) with adults able to vouch for the identify of the child.
Children under 14 on Italian domestic flight must show photographic ID.
Here's a few examples of photographic ID that is accepted:
- A valid passport - an expired passport can be used up to a maximum of five years after expiry
- Valid photographic EU or Swiss national identity card
- Valid photographic driving licence, provisional or full
- Valid armed forces identity card
- Valid police warrant card/badge
- Identification needed for international flights
Everyone travelling on international flights are required to hold either a valid EU/EEA/Swiss National Identity card or Passport as well as a valid Visa where required.
EasyJet states that passports must be in food condition and signed, with some countries requiring a minimum validity period beyond your trip - such as three or six months.
The airline urges passengers to check their passport expiry and issue date before travel, comparing to destination requirements.
UK passport holder travelling to the EU (except Ireland), or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican City or Switzerland, your passport will need to meet the following criteria:
- It must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to depart from the EU or above countries
- It must be no more than 10 years' old on the date of travel to the EU or above countries.
You can visit the government advice page for additional information if required.
Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland may travel within Europe using a valid EU/EEA/Swiss National Identity Card or Passport Card.
You can find out more online.
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