EU Passport Renewal: Country-by-Country Guide (2026)

My colleague Sarah lost her Malaga trip at the Gatwick check-in desk last Easter. Her passport wasn't expired — it had eight months left. The problem was the issue date. It was more than ten years old. She'd renewed early in 2015, and the extra months rolled over. The expiry date read 2026. But Schengen border rules count from the issue date, not the expiry. The airline wouldn't let her board.

That gap — issue date versus expiry date — trips up more travelers than any other rule. The second big trap is the six-month rule many countries enforce. EU passport renewal costs, wait times, and emergency options differ across Europe. This guide covers seven major countries. Sort your passport before your next trip, not at the gate.

EU Passport Validity Rules

Adult passports across Europe last 10 years. The UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and the Netherlands all use this rule. Children get less: 5 years in most countries. In Germany, under-24s get 6 years, or until the child turns 12 — whichever is sooner. Your expiry date is on the data page. It's usually in DD/MM/YYYY format.

Here's what surprises people: most European nations start the new 10-year clock from the date they issue it. They don't count from when the old one expires. Renew six months early and you lose those six months. But waiting too long is worse. You hit the rules below, and they can ground you at the airport.

The 10-Year Rule for Entering the Schengen Area

To enter any Schengen country, your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years on arrival day. There are 29 Schengen states. This rule catches UK travelers most often. Before Brexit, British passports could carry up to 9 extra months from an early renewal. A passport issued in 2016 with a 2027 expiry looks valid. But Schengen border officers count from the issue date, not the expiry.

If your passport was issued more than 10 years ago, the airline will deny boarding. Border guards will refuse entry too. No exceptions. The rule is checked by computer and enforced strictly. If you have a passport approaching its expiry window, check the issue date first. That is the date that matters for Schengen travel.

The 6-Month Validity Rule

Many countries outside the Schengen Area need your passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date. This includes the US, Turkey, Thailand, and the UAE. Even in the Schengen zone, you need 3 months left beyond your planned exit date.

Add the 10-year rule, and you need to renew well before expiry. Say a UK traveler goes to Spain for two weeks. They need at least 3 months left and an issue date under 10 years old. Flying on to Turkey or the US? Then 6 months left is the safer target. When in doubt, the consequences of an expired passport are far worse than renewing early.

Country-by-Country EU Passport Renewal Overview

Costs and wait times vary a lot across Europe. The table below covers seven major countries:

Fees are for standard adult renewals as of March 2026. Child passport fees are usually lower. Wait times reflect normal demand. They may grow during peak travel season.

How to Renew Your UK Passport

The cheapest and fastest standard route is online at gov.uk. Upload a digital photo, fill in your details, and post your old passport when asked. The cost is £82.50 for an adult or £53.50 for a child. Paper forms cost £93 and £64.

Standard processing takes up to 10 weeks. HMPO says to apply well before any trip. If you need your passport sooner, two faster services exist:

• Fast Track (£142) — Book a passport office visit. Your new passport is ready in about 1 week. Open to adults and children.
• Premium same-day (£177) — Visit a selected passport office. Pick it up the same day. If you apply after midday, pick it up the next working day. Adults only.

First-time adult applicants must apply in person with ID documents. The same goes if your last passport was issued before age 16. Everyone else can renew by post or online.

How to Renew in Major EU Countries

France charges nothing. Zero euros. Book a slot at your local mairie (town hall). Bring your current passport (or a loss report), a photo, and proof of address. It takes 2 to 6 weeks. The catch: there is no express option. "Apply early" isn't advice — it's the only plan.

Germany. Go in person to your local Bürgeramt (citizens’ office). Bring your current passport, a biometric photo, and proof of address. Adults 24 and older pay €60. Under-24s pay €37. Expect 4 to 6 weeks. Some cities offer express service for an extra fee.

Spain is one of the fastest in Europe. Book a DNI slot at a comisaría de policía. Bring €30, a photo, and your expiring passport. It often takes just 1 to 2 weeks. Summer demand can push it to 4.

Renewing an EU Passport from Abroad

If you live outside your home country, you can renew at the nearest embassy or consulate. The process is like a domestic renewal but usually slower. Allow 4 to 8 weeks. Countries with busy consulates may take longer.

You will usually need: your current passport, a filled-in form (often online), a biometric photo, proof of nationality, and the consular fee. Some countries need an in-person visit. Others accept postal applications.

UK citizens abroad can apply online at gov.uk. Send your old passport to HMPO by courier. German citizens can apply at any German embassy worldwide. French citizens must visit the consulate in person. Always check the consulate’s website. Open slots and wait times vary a lot by location.

Emergency Passport Options

If your passport is lost, stolen, or expired and you must travel within days, most European countries offer emergency options:

• UK Premium service (£177) — Same-day passport at a passport office. Book online and go in person. Open for renewals and some first-time cases.
• UK Fast Track (£142) — 1-week turnaround at a passport office visit. Good when you have a week before travel.
• Emergency travel documents (EU countries) — Embassies and consulates can issue a temp travel pass. It is usually valid for a single trip home. Fees range from free to €50. You may get it the same day with a police report (for theft) and proof of travel.
• Irish Emergency Passport — Ireland offers emergency passports at its offices in Dublin and Cork. You can also get one through consulates abroad.

Emergency documents are a safety net, not a plan. They cover limited travel only. Some countries may not accept them at the border. The best move is to renew before it gets urgent. If you are tracking the Schengen 90/180 rule alongside your passport validity, give yourself an extra buffer.

Children’s Passports

Every child needs their own passport to travel — no matter their age. You can't add children to a parent’s passport in the UK or any EU country. Children’s passports have a shorter validity — usually 5 years. This is because children’s looks change fast.

A UK child passport costs £53.50 online or £64 by post. Both parents (or all legal guardians) must agree. If one parent is absent or refuses, you may need a court order or a solicitor’s letter. This consent rule is strictly enforced to stop child abduction.

In Germany, both parents must go to the Bürgeramt together. If one can't come, they must give notarised written consent. France needs both parents’ signatures on the form. Spain needs both parents at the comisaría, or a signed permit from the absent parent. Children’s passports expire faster. Consent rules also add time. Start the renewal at least 3 months before travel.