cyprus

[delmac85]

My parents are of to Cyprus soon, one of them wont have 6 months left on there passport when they go, it will however be valid for the time they are there, will this be a problem?

[Bobbisox]

I have been to Cyprus several times and most EU countries do ask for a minimum of 6 months on a passport,
so does it expire whaen they come back ?

[delmac85]

it will, but dont think they'll renew it, to expensive. thanks for answer.

[Buenchico]

Bobbisox posts some useful replies but that one is complete rubbish.

EU law requires all EU countries to admit any person who can prove that they're a citizen of a member state, by producing a valid passport or national identity card. Accordingly, any UK passport holder can enter any EU country right up until the final second of the stated validity of their passport. Further, since EU citizens have the right to live in any member country, it wouldn't matter (as far as the Cypriot authorities are concerned) if a visitor's passport ran out during their stay, since there is no requirement upon the visitor to ever leave the country. Obviously, though, it's wisest to ensure that a passport is valid on the planned date of return travel, in order to be able to provide the airline with valid ID and for re-entering the UK.

Chris

[Buenchico]

A couple of additional points:

1. If your parents were entering Cyprus on a flight from almost any other EU country (e.g. France or Latvia), they wouldn't even need a passport. (Although, of course, they'd need some form of ID to meet the airline's security requirements). Passport controls have been abolished between all EU countries, except the UK and Ireland.

2. You comment that the cost of renewing their passports would be prohibitive to your parents. UK National ID cards are already available to people who live and work in the north west of England. It's planned that they'll soon be available throughout the rest of the UK. They cost £30 (which is significantly less than the cost of renewing a passport) and are valid for entry into any EU country.

Chris

[delmac85]

Thanks for that Buenchico, iv'e looked at a couple of websites and they are a bit vague as to wether you needed 6 months, but after reading your reply i think it'll be no problem, thanks.