PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries (21 February 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what effect the end of the transition period will have on the ability of British passport-holders who live abroad, and whose European Union and Great Britain passports remain valid until 2028, to travel freely across the EU.

Asked by:
Zarah Sultana (Independent)

The Schengen Borders Code places requirements on the validity required for non-EU citizen passport-holders. This means that from 1 January 2021, passports should be no older than ten years and with a minimum validity of three months beyond a UK national's planned stay in the Schengen area. Further information on British passport requirements from January 2021 for travel to the EU is available on gov.uk.

The EU has already legislated such that UK nationals will not need a visa when travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in every 180-day period from 1 January 2021. UK nationals travelling to the EU for longer than 90 days may need a visa or permit to do so. Member State rules vary and UK nationals should check entry requirements with the Embassy of the relevant Member State. Further information for UK nationals currently in the EU is available on gov.uk.

Answered by:
Wendy Morton (Conservative)
3 March 2020