Passport expiry tracker

Why the printed expiry date isn't your real deadline

Many countries require your passport to remain valid for a period after you arrive or leave. The rule differs by destination: some ask for six months beyond arrival, the Schengen area asks for at least three months beyond your planned departure date, and some require only validity for the length of your stay.

Airlines check these rules before boarding because they can be fined for carrying passengers who are refused entry. In practice, that means a passport that is still technically valid can stop you at check-in.

• Schengen area: valid at least 3 months after your intended departure, and issued within the previous 10 years (Schengen Borders Code, Art. 6)
• Several other countries apply a six-month rule — check your destination's official government or embassy page before booking
• Blank pages matter too: some countries require one or two free pages for entry stamps

When to start renewing

Processing times vary by country and season and change often, so always check your passport office's current published times. Summer and holiday periods are usually the busiest.

A practical buffer is to start about nine months before the printed expiry date. That covers the six-month rule used by some destinations, leaves room for processing delays, and avoids paying for an expedited service.

• Check the official processing-time page before you apply, not months earlier
• Book any photo or in-person appointment early — slots fill up in peak season
• If you have a trip booked, compare the travel date with both the expiry date and the destination's validity rule

Example: a passport expiring 14 August 2027

Planning a trip to France in June 2027? Schengen rules need validity until at least three months after you leave — so if you return on 20 June, you are fine until 20 September. But a trip ending in late May to a six-month-rule country would already be blocked.

With EntryNest, reminders for this passport would arrive around 14 February 2027 (180 days), 16 May 2027 (90 days) and 15 July 2027 (30 days). The first is the one to act on.

Documents linked to your passport

Visas, residence permits and electronic travel authorisations are often tied to a specific passport number. For example, a US ESTA is linked to the passport it was issued with; a new passport means applying for a new ESTA.

When you renew, check each linked document and update it where needed.

• Electronic travel authorisations (such as ESTA or the UK ETA)
• Visas and residence permits in the old passport
• Airline, frequent-flyer and trusted-traveller profiles that store your passport number

If your passport is lost or stolen abroad

Report the loss to local police if required and contact your country's nearest embassy or consulate, which can issue an emergency travel document. Having your passport number and a copy of the photo page makes this much faster.

EntryNest lets you store a copy of the photo page in private storage that only your account can open, so it's available when you need it.

How EntryNest helps

Add your passport once with its expiry date and EntryNest sends reminders before it expires — by default 180, 90 and 30 days ahead, and you can change them. You can track every family member's passport and add linked visas or travel authorisations as separate items.