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If I had a UK passport which was due to expire on February 1st, 2020 - less than 6 months from now, would I be allowed to make a weekend visit to Germany?

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    The point made in like questions was 'when was the passport made' as the new rules do not allow more than 10 years of use out of your passport. For the rest, we do now yet know when or even whether Brexit happens.
    – Willeke ♦
    Commented Nov 17, 2019 at 11:57
  • You can check whether your current passport is valid for future / post-Brexit travel here.
    – Traveller
    Commented Nov 17, 2019 at 12:51

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As I understand it.

Under the brexit deals that were negotiated by the government but not passed by Parliament there is supposed to be a transition period lasting at least until the end of 2020. Freedom of movement would continue during this transition period. So you would be ok to travel in February on your existing passport.

On the other hand, in the event of a no-deal brexit it is most likely that the Schengen area would treat UK visitors like other foreigners which means you would need a passport that was issued within the last 10 years and with at least 3 months validity beyond the end of your trip, so your passport would not be acceptable.

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  • Why do you think Schengen area would not require a visa? Is there a valid visa waiver agreement in case of no deal brexit?
    – lalala
    Commented Nov 18, 2019 at 12:14
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    I don't have a link handy but IIRC the EU have announced as part of their no-deal brexit preperations that they will not initially require Visas in the event of a no-deal brexit, but that maintenance of this status long-term will depend on the UK reciprocating. It's also likely that the schengen area will introduce an advance authorisation system that they insist is not a visa (similar to the US esta and the canadian ETA) but afaict that is not scheduled to come into force until 2021.
    – Peter Green
    Commented Nov 18, 2019 at 12:23
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    Supporting documentation from the European Commission concerning travel after a no-deal. I don't believe that potential reciprocal arrangements on visa-free travel change the basic requirement that 3 months be left on the passport.
    – Nathan
    Commented Nov 18, 2019 at 13:38
  • Nit: The latest Brexit deal was not rejected by Parliament - indeed it actually passed the second reading. What was rejected was an attempt to railroad it through in a very short time (in time to meet the October 31st deadline) - and the government declined to bring it back with a longer timescale.
    – Martin Bonner supports Monica
    Commented Nov 18, 2019 at 16:39
  • @lalala visa exemptions are not always effected by agreement. For example, the EU disagrees with the fact that the US does not grant visa waivers to all EU citizens, yet US citizens continue to enjoy visa-free access to all EU countries. Another example: there are literally dozens of countries whose citizens require visas to enter the EU but not vice versa.
    – phoog
    Commented Nov 18, 2019 at 17:43
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This is a badly formed question because your passport expiry is the same as the Brexit crash-out date! So you are only asking about 2 use cases: a) Britain still in EU, or b) passport is expired. Black-boxing Traveler's link: After a crash-out Brexit, you cannot travel on an expired passport end of inquiry.

Anti-DV Disclaimer: I'm referring to a UK citizen traveling to Germany, since that is OP. I answer questions in context.

FYI, after a crash-out Brexit, your passport becomes useless for German travel 9.5 years after its issuance, or within 6 (not 3) months of its expiry, whichever happens sooner.

If you're asking "well, what happens on a yes-deal Brexit?", ask on politics.se because that depends on the deal. Nobody knows. The link assumes the only thing we do know, which is crash-out.

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    Is there a source for "9.5 years after its issuance or within 6 months of expiry"? Article 50 of the EU treaty states "blah blah agreement, otherwise treaty end". So, in my understanding, if there is a crash out without agreement, it's "end". The treaty no longer applies to the leaving party. Which means as much as who cares when the passport was issued, or how long it's valid, you'll need a valid visa. Without that, the passport is entirely useless, even if it was valid for 250 years.
    – Damon
    Commented Nov 18, 2019 at 10:01
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    @Damon The country you wish to enter desides if they will accept your passport. The 10 year max is based on the ICAO Passport norms which most countries now require. Schengen Border Code Article 3 (1)(a), Entry conditions third country nationals
    – Mark Johnson
    Commented Nov 18, 2019 at 11:48
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    @MarkJohnson: Ah, found it, thanks. It's Article 6(1)(a) though, not 3. Note paragraph (b) too, however: "in possession of a valid visa if required" (where "if required" means as much as "except excepted", which surely isn't the case as presently UK is still a member). Also (c) "justify purpose... sufficient means of subsistence, blah blah". So, I think that all alone by itseslf, the passport would be useless. It is just one precondition among many.
    – Damon
    Commented Nov 18, 2019 at 11:59
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    @Damon I believe official statements have been made, that British citizens will be listed in Annex II, thus will not need a visa, but must comply with the 90/180 days rules.
    – Mark Johnson
    Commented Nov 18, 2019 at 13:04
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    @Damon This was conditional on the UK not imposing Visas for EU-Citizens, which no one has hinted at from the UK side. (This assumes only short stay visits)
    – Mark Johnson
    Commented Nov 18, 2019 at 13:08

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