Travellers heading to Spain are being reminded to check their passports well before departure, as failing to meet entry requirements could result in passengers being refused boarding or turned away at the border.
Airlines check travel documents before passengers board and can refuse to carry anyone whose passport is expired, badly damaged or does not meet the required validity rules. The checks are often carried out at the departure airport rather than after landing in Spain.
For British travellers, the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of entry into Spain and remain valid for at least three months after the planned departure from the Schengen area.
The rules apply at Spanish airports including Palma, where border checks are carried out by Spain’s National Police. Travellers may also be asked to provide additional documentation depending on their nationality and circumstances.
EU citizens travelling within the bloc can normally enter Spain using either a valid passport or national identity card. Travellers are advised to check their documents before leaving home and allow plenty of time for any renewal process to avoid problems at the airport.