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British and want an EU passport? Here's where you can apply

We run through the rules in European countries where Britons are seeking to escape Brexit UK applicants for Irish passports ‘face excessive delays and costs’

When Guardian Money surveyed other major EU countries, it emerges that Ireland is taking the brunt of applications from British citizens, with remarkably few requests going to other EU nations.

About 300,000 UK citizens live in Spain, yet few have applied for citizenship. Spain’s ministry of justice told Guardian Money that “the latest data we have of Britons who have applied for Spanish citizenship are very low”.

It says that in 2016, the year of the EU referendum, 33 British citizens applied for Spanish nationality. In 2017, that rose to 181, then rose again to 209 in 2018.

One major stumbling block is that Spain does not recognise dual nationality, so applicants from the UK are supposed to renounce their British citizenship – though in practice many keep their British passports, as they do not have to be given up. Applicants have to pass a Spanish language test and culture exam, as well as pay fees adding up to about €300. Spanish nationality can be obtained through residence, but the person must have lived continuously in the country for 10 years.

Estimates vary, but there are thought to be about 160,000 UK citizens in France, making it the third most popular location after Spain and Ireland. It permits dual nationality, and the numbers of Britons applying for citizenship are reported to have jumped 10-fold since the EU referendum, from 375 in 2015 to 3,211 in 2018.

If you have a grandparent born in France, then bad luck – that doesn’t qualify you for citizenship, with nationality by descent only extending back to parents.

But French citizenship through naturalisation can be obtained after just five years of living in the country, falling to just two years if you complete a postgraduate course at a French university. If you marry a French citizen, you qualify after four years.

You have to prove a good command of French language and culture, and will be interviewed at the local prefecture, with the expectation that you can show you are integrated into French society.

There are about 96,000 UK citizens living in Germany and it allows dual citizenship for citizens of some countries, including the UK.

Germany has traditionally been a “ius sanguinis” country, where citizenship is passed on to the next generation through the bloodline, irrespective of the place of birth. As of 2000, “ius soli” also applies, which means a child born in Germany automatically receives German citizenship, even if both parents have foreign citizenship.

Eight years of residence are usually required for naturalisation, although there are exceptions (for example, if applicants have very good German language skills or have worked for a charity in Germany, the period is reduced to six years). Applicants have to take a language test and a citizenship exam. They must not be dependent on the German welfare system (with some exceptions) and hold no criminal record.

There are about 30,000 to 50,000 UK citizens living in Italy, and the country allows dual nationality. The Italian consulate general says: “In the first semester of 2019, we have received nearly 400 citizenship requests which include both applications by lineage/ancestry as well as by marriage. Of this total, British citizens rank as the largest portion of those requesting Italian citizenship. However, we are unable to provide an exact figure.”

Anyone with an Italian-born parent is eligible for citizenship, and in theory applicants can go further back through the generations to the point when Italy became a nation in 1861 if they can prove their paternal “iure sanguinis” (right of bloodline). But you have to prove that the line of citizenship was uninterrupted and that none of your ancestors renounced their Italian citizenship.

Citizenship via naturalisation is generally after 10 years of residence, while through marriage it takes two years (three if you are living outside Italy but married to an Italian).

Portugal is the only EU country that has promised easy entry to British citizens irrespective of a no-deal Brexit . It also allows dual nationality and, like Ireland, grants citizenship to people who can prove a grandparent born in the country. The fee is €250.

It says that 495 British citizens applied for Portuguese citizenship in 2018 – a big rise from the 50 to 60 applications it used to receive each year before the EU referendum. It is estimated that about 20,000-30,000 UK citizens live in the country.

Naturalisation is also easier than some other countries, with six years of residence required, though applicants will have to take a language test.

Other EU countries

There are 28 EU countries each with their own rules on citizenship.

The Netherlands does not permit dual citizenship.

There are reports of a surge in applications in Sweden, home to about 20,000 British citizens. The country requires five years’ residence for naturalisation, dropping to three years if the person is living with a Swedish citizen. Through birth you can only apply if one of your parents, not grandparents, is Swedish.

The Polish embassy says it had only received two applications from UK citizens this year.

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Urgent warning for British red passport holders at risk of post-Brexit travel rules

On a typical day, 200 outbound travellers are prevented from departing because of eu rules on issue and expiry dates, article bookmarked.

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An estimated 32 million British passport holders could potentially fall foul of post-Brexit rules on validity for travel to the European Union, it has emerged.

In the Brexit deal, the UK negotiated for British travellers to become “third-country nationals” – in line with citizens from dozens of other countries such as Venezuela and Samoa.

European Union nations do not allow such travellers to enter on a passport issued over 10 years ago. The same applies in the wider Schengen Area, including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. UK visitors to Ireland are not subject to the restriction.

The Passport Office’s pre-Brexit policy was to issue British travel documents valid for up to 10 years and nine months, taking account of the unspent time on a previous passport. That posed no problem while the UK was a member of the EU, but since the Brexit agreement took effect hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have lost their holidays because of inadvertently breaching the rules.

Airport sources contacted by The Independent indicate that, on a typical day, 200 outbound travellers are prevented from departing because of EU rules on issue and expiry dates. The rejection typically happens at check in or the departure gate.

• Barred from Europe: 2.4m Brits caught in post-Brexit passport chaos
• When do I need to renew my passport for travel to Europe?
• How many months do I need left on my UK passport before I travel?

The BBC cited the case of Nathan Barnes, a 31-year-old paramedic from Norwich, who was refused boarding on a flight to France.

He was on his way to Limoges with his fiancé to visit family. Despite checking in for the flight online, he was stopped at the departure gate.

“My passport had been issued more than 10 years previously,” he said. “They were very matter of fact about it, they just said ‘sorry you can’t board, off you pop’.”

“I was gutted, surprised really. We had checked in online and thought it was fine,” he added.

The BBC’s Marc Ashdown has analysed Home Office figures on passports issued up to September 2018 that suggest 32 million people could potentially fall foul of EU rules.

The Schengen Area also requires UK travellers to have at least three months remaining before the expiry date on their passport on the day of departure from the European zone.

The Independent has asked all the major airlines if they could help identify potential problems earlier by requesting passport data and assessing validity. Most say that the issue is too complex, but Tui is working on a solution.

If a passenger is correctly denied boarding, travel insurance will not pay out to cover consequent losses.

• This is the best time to renew your passport to save money
• How can I avoid passport chaos sparked by post-Brexit rule change? Ask travel expert Simon Calder anything
• Easter travel chaos: how bad will it be?

The EU and wider Schengen Area are the only locations with conditions about the issue date of your passport. Many other countries, such as the US, Canada and Australia, allow British passport holders to travel up to and including the expiry date of your passport – though some nations demand at least six months is remaining .

There is no problem travelling to Europe with a passport issued for over 10 years, so long as it is under 10 years old on the date of departure to the EU and will have three months remaining on the date of return.

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When you need to renew a passport to travel to Europe

• Wednesday 27 March 2024 at 12:10pm

Since Brexit , passport rules for UK visitors to the European Union (EU) have tightened up.

But many people may not be aware of the finer print, and some families are finding themselves thousands of pounds out of pocket when they have been banned from boarding flights due to the rule changes.

So what exactly are the rules for British travellers to the EU, and how can you avoid a passport disaster if you're jetting off for the Easter holidays?

How have the rules changed?

When the UK was a member of the EU, British passports remained valid up to and including their expiry date for travel to other EU countries.

But post-Brexit, British passport holders wishing to travel to EU countries in the Schengen Area are treated as non-EU nationals. This includes popular tourism destinations such as Portugal and Greece.

As such, they must meet two key requirements, as outlined on the EU's Your Europe website . If you are a non-EU national wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a passport:

which is valid for at least three months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting;

which was issued within the previous 10 years.

This means you should really be looking at the date of issue when checking if you need to renew, as well as the expiry date.

It may appear that your passport is within date, but if it hasn't been issued in the past 10 years you could be stopped from boarding your plane or ferry.

Have you heard our new podcast Talking Politics? Every week Tom, Robert and Anushka dig into the biggest issues dominating the political agenda…

According to the government's website, for some Schengen countries, once the three-months-remaining rule is taken into account, a passport needs to have been issued no more than nine years and nine months ago.

What is the Schengen Area?

The border-free Schengen Area is made up of 27 countries and guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU citizens, along with non-EU nationals living in the EU or visiting the EU as tourists.

It is comprised of most EU countries, except for Croatia, Cyprus, and Ireland. Bulgaria and Romania will be part of the Schengen Area as of March 31 2024. The non-EU countries Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also part of the area.

Aren't all passports only valid for 10 years?

Until September 2018, the UK had a policy that meant you could claim credit on 'unspent' time when renewing your passport, so you could be issued with a passport that was valid for up to 10 years and nine months.

People who took advantage of this policy could now find themselves caught out.

Do the rules affect children's passports?

Passports for under-16s are usually valid for five years, so there should be no chance of breaching the 10-year rule.

But be careful of the three-months-remaining rule, which states your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave the country. Children's passports are more likely to get caught out by this rule as their passports don't last as long.

Am I covered if I get caught out?

Unfortunately, if you don't make sure your passport will be accepted before you travel, you are unlikely to get back any money you lose.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, told ITV News: “There has been confusion over guidance for travel to the EU. Passports must be issued within 10 years of entry into your destination country and remain in date for at least three months after the day you plan to return to the UK.

“It is essential to ensure your passport is valid when you are due to travel and return home. Otherwise you risk losing the money for your flight or holiday as your provider will not refund you, and insurance will not cover you for the error.”

Do the rules apply anywhere else in the world?

These rules are specific to Schengen Area countries. If you are travelling to the rest of the world you should check the individual rules for entering those countries on the government website .

When should I renew my passport?

To be on the safe side, it's best to apply to renew your passport before it is nine years and nine months old.

You should allow up to 10 weeks to receive your passport, so you should apply for it at least 10 weeks before you're due to travel. The Passport Office say people usually get their passports within three weeks.

You can apply online (£82.50) or by post with a paper form (£93). Passport costs are set to increase by more than 7% in April, the Home Office announced this month.

If you need a passport urgently, you can pay more for the fast track service . The one-week service costs £155 for an adult passport and £126 for a child passport, while the one-day premium service costs £193.50, or £204.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport.

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EU proposes youth mobility agreement with UK to help youngsters travel, work and live in both areas

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses a media conference at the conclusion of an EU Summit in Brussels, Friday, March 22, 2024. European Union leaders on Friday discussed plans to boost investment and the economy. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

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BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Commission proposed Thursday to start negotiations with the United Kingdom to allow young people to move freely, work and study in both regions after Brexit — the U.K.'s departure from the EU four years ago.

According to the EU, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU following a referendum in 2016 has damaged mobility between the two areas.

“This situation has particularly affected the opportunities for young people to experience life on the other side of the Channel and to benefit from youth, cultural, educational, research and training exchanges,” the Commission said.

When the U.K. was still a member of the economic and political bloc, its nationals had the right to live and work freely in the EU, with reciprocity for EU nationals in the U.K. Under the agreement proposed by the EU’s executive arm, EU and UK citizens between 18 and 30 years old would be eligible to stay up to four years in the destination country.

The deal would also allow equal treatment of EU and UK students in the field of university tuition fees. Most EU students must now pay international tuition fees if they want to study in the U.K. The Commission says these vary between 11,400 and 38,000 pounds ($14,200-$47,300) per year and are a strong deterrent for EU students who generally don’t have to pay as much within the bloc.

The Commission’s recommendation will be discussed by EU member countries who must give the green light before the executive arm can start negotiations with the UK.

“We have successful Youth Mobility Schemes with 13 countries, including Australia and New Zealand, and remain open to agreeing them with our international partners, including EU member states,” the British government said in a statement.

The U.K. has its own Youth Mobility Scheme, which it has offered to some EU member states. The Commission believes the British plan is less ambitious than its own proposal.

“Our agreements provide a valuable route for cultural exchanges providing partner countries are also willing to offer the same opportunities for young British people,” the British government added.

Follow AP’s coverage of Brexit at https://apnews.com/hub/brexit

Swift Feed News

Brexit Woes: Passport Problem Hits 2.4 Million Brits

Posted: 27 April 2024 | Last updated: 27 April 2024

2.4 million Brits are facing post-Brexit passport issues with the EU. 

Brits Barred From Entering the EU

Post-Brexit passport rules are barring millions of Britons from entering the EU which is set to cause upheaval and chaos.

Change in Expiry Requirements

The Easter holiday flagged an estimated 2.4 million travellers who have documents that cannot be used for EU trips due to the change in expiry requirements.

Issued Date Less Than Ten Years Old

British passports must have a minimum of three months left before their expiry date and must have an issue date less than ten years old on the day of departure to the EU.

Brits Not Clued Up About Passport Change

Since Brexit, these regulations have become mandatory and many Brits are not in the know which will result in a rude awakening upon their holiday departure.

200 People Falling Victim to the Rule Daily

However, millions of passports issued before September 2018 have longer validity periods. The Independent did an analysis that suggested almost 200 people are falling victim to this rule daily at UK airports.

Britons Labelled ”Third Country Nationals”

The UK has been categorised as “third country nationals” following Britain’s Brexit deal with the EU, following different expiry date rules than when it was a member state.

6,4 Million From UK to EU

The Easter holiday is a 17-day long break which has a high volume of Brits leaving the country over this period. An estimated 6,4 million trips have been scheduled from the UK to Europe.

Longer Validity Periods Now Not Accepted in EU

Instead of wasting the “life of a passport,” a longer validity on older passports was a way around this. Passport holders could renew up to nine months early and thus not lose any time.

Valid Passport Could Still Have You Barred From Travel

The valid passport with an issuing date, of ten years to the day, will no longer be allowed to enter the EU even if it still has months remaining before expiry.

32 Million Could Be Affected

This rule has confused many as they embark on travels under the impression that they still have a valid passport. Some 32 million people have passports issued before September 2018 and these will prove null and void.

Passenger Checked in but Can’t Board Flight

A recent traveller, Ruth Wade, was denied entrance to her flight despite checking in for her flight 24 hours before.

Issuing Date More Vital Than Validity

Wade’s passport is valid until October 2024, however, the expiry date was ten years from the issue date resulting in her not having been able to board the flight.

Brits Unaware of the Rule

Brits are unaware of this rule although many have disregarded it because they believe their passport validity is the decider. The rules were explained publicly, but many are still in the dark.

Added Months Causing Problems

Official data indicates that 706, 000 passports were issued by HM Passport Office in March 2014, an estimated 80 per cent of those will be renewals which could have had added months.

More Family European Trips Than Anywhere Else

Most travellers head to the EU due to the proximity, the Geneva routes are busy for winter sports enthusiasts and the city breaks most popular routes are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris and Rome.

The Onus Is on the Passenger

Airlines state that it is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that they comply with the immigration rules of their desired destination.

Airlines Will Not Be Held Responsible

The airlines will not be held responsible for any booking neglect even when the passengers can book flights and check in before the flight with their “expired passport.”

Insurance Not Covering Validity Issues

Travel insurers will not pay out for losses related to passport validity issues.

Renewing Is Easy, so No Excuses

It is advised that all persons acquaint themselves with this rule. A government spokesperson said: “It is quick and easy to renew your passport online or at a Post Office.”

Up to Date to Save You Thousands

It is advised to ensure that you familiarize yourself with the country of destination requirements, and your travel needs and to keep your identity documents up to date.

The post Brexit Woes: Passport Problem Hits 2.4 Million Brits first appeared on Swift Feed .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / maramade.

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International Edition

New Schengen Visa Rules for Indian Visitors: Key Questions Answered 

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

April 23rd, 2024 at 5:39 AM EDT

Destinations value Indian travelers, but lengthy visa processing times lasting months act as significant deterrents. The adoption of these new regulations by European authorities reflects a proactive effort to tackle these concerns, aiming to boost tourism flow.

Peden Doma Bhutia

The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for Indian nationals applying for Schengen visas in India. This regime looks to offer longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, based on the applicant’s travel history.

Indian travel agents had been complaining of Schengen visa delays as a major challenge to the summer travel rush from India.

• How does one qualify for the longer duration visas?

The European Commission can issue a two-year multiple-entry visa after a traveler “has obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years.” This demonstrates a positive travel history and compliance with previous visa regulations.

Subsequently, after granting the two-year visa, authorities may issue a five-year visa if the passport has has adequate validity remaining.

• What benefits do holders of these extended visas enjoy?

During the validity period of these visas, holders can enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals within the Schengen area, allowing for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

• Which countries are part of the Schengen area?

The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries, including 25 European Union member states: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden. Additionally, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are also part of the Schengen area.

• Are there any restrictions or conditions to these visas?

Schengen visas do not grant the right to work within the Schengen area and are for short stays only. Additionally, the visas are not purpose-bound, providing flexibility for travel within the specified period.

Industry Take

Skift also spoke to players in the Indian outbound travel industry to understand what has changed in the new Schengen visa rules.

• How is this different from the earlier visas that Schengen countries offered? Don’t they already offer multi-entry visas with longer duration to Indians?

Mahendra Vakharia, managing director of Pathfinders Holidays, said there was no standard policy of Schengen states for issuing these long-term visas earlier. Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Italy and Spain usually issued long-term visa, but it was all subjective. “With this new policy it should be a standard rule now,” Vakharia said.

• Travelers mainly complain of longer processing times, has that changed?

Here too, there is no standard processing time as it varies from country to country, according to Vakharia. “France and Spain have been processing visas within four days, and then there’s Croatia, which takes 60 days,” he said.

Processing time will not change as of now, it will take time for the visa rules to be enforced, said an industry source, while highlighting that the visa would be especially useful for corporate travelers.

What Promoted The Move?

Speaking on the possible motivations, Vakharia acknowledged various reasons, including administrative capacity constraints at embassies to cater to the huge inflow of applications.

“As there is an overwhelming demand from Indian travelers, the process of securing visa appointments has posed significant challenges , especially for travelers residing in cities lacking VFS Global centers,” he said.

The European Commission said in an statement that the decision reflects the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, aimed at fostering comprehensive cooperation on migration policy. Facilitating people-to-people contacts is a key aspect of this agenda, acknowledging India’s importance as an EU partner.

The decision also reflects a realization of the strong economic benefits derived through the spending power of Indian tourists. As Vakharia aptly puts it, “Why let go of the Golden Indian Goodie Bag?”

Skift India Report

The Skift India Report is your go-to newsletter for all news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India.

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Tags: asia monthly , europe , european commission , European summer travel , european union , india , india outbound , schengen , visa , visas

Photo credit: Park Guell in Spain. Unlike many Schengen countries, Spain has been processing visas within four days for Indian travelers. Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz / Pexels

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