Passport of the European Union

The front cover of a contemporary Dutch

The European Union does not issue passports, but ordinary passports issued by its 28 member states share a common design.^[1] Common features include the burgundy coloured cover, the use of the words "European Union" in the country's official language or languages on the cover, as well as common security features and biometrics.^[2]

Some EU member states also issue non-EU passports to certain people who have a nationality which does not render them citizens of the European Union (e.g., British Overseas Territories Citizens except those with a connection to Gibraltar, British Protected Persons and British Subjects).^[3]

In addition, the European Commission issues European Union Laissez-Passers to the members and certain civil servants of its institutions.

1 Use
2 Common design features
3 Overview of passports issued by 28 Member States
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

Use

With a valid passport, EU citizens are entitled to exercise the right of free movement in the European Economic Area (European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) and Switzerland, without a visa.

As an alternative to holding a passport, EU citizens can also use a valid national identity card to enter and reside in the EEA (EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) and Switzerland without a visa.

Strictly speaking, it is not necessary for an EU citizen to possess a valid passport or national identity card to enjoy the right of free movement. In theory, if an EU citizen can prove his/her nationality/identification by any other means (e.g. by presenting an expired passport or national identity card, or a citizenship certificate), he/she must be permitted to enter and reside in the EEA without a visa. An EU citizen who is unable to demonstrate his/her nationality satisfactorily must nonetheless be given 'every reasonable opportunity' to obtain the necessary documents or to have them delivered within a reasonable period of time.^[4]^[5]^[6]

When entering some EEA countries, EU citizens possessing valid biometric passports are able to use automated gates instead of immigration counters. For example, when entering the United Kingdom, at major airports, adult holders of EU biometric passports can use ePassport gates, whilst all other EU citizens (such as those using a national identity card or a non-biometric passport) must use an immigration counter. Anyone travelling with children must also use an immigration counter.^[7]

Common design features

Since the 1980s, European Union member states have started to harmonise the following aspects of the designs of their ordinary passports (but not other types of passports, such as diplomatic, service and emergency passports):^[1]

Overall format

Paper size B7 (ISO/IEC 7810 ID-3, 88 mm × 125 mm)
32 pages (passports with more pages can be issued to frequent travellers)
Colour of cover: burgundy red

Cover

Information on the cover, in this order, in the language(s) of the issuing state:

The words "EUROPEAN UNION" (before 1997: "EUROPEAN COMMUNITY")
Name of the issuing state (similar typeface as "EUROPEAN UNION")
Emblem of the state
The word "PASSPORT"
The Biometric Passport symbol

First page

Information on the first page, in one or more of the languages of the European Union:

The words "EUROPEAN UNION"
Name of the issuing state (similar typeface to that of "European Union")
The word "PASSPORT"
Serial number (may also be repeated on the other pages)

Identification page

Information on the (possibly laminated) identification page, in the languages of the issuing state plus English and French, accompanied by numbers that refer to an index that lists the meaning of these fields in all official EU languages:

1. Surname	2. Forename(s)
3. Nationality	4. Date of birth
5. Sex	6. Place of birth
7. Date of issue	8. Date of expiry
9. Authority	10. Signature of holder

Following page

Optional information on the following page:

11. Residence	12. Height
13. Colour of eyes	14. Extension of the passport
15. Name at birth (if now using married name or have legally changed names)

Remaining pages

The following page is reserved for:
- Details concerning the spouse of the holder of the passport (where a family passport is issued)
- Details concerning children accompanying the holder (name, first name, date of birth, sex)
- Photographs of the faces of spouse and children
The following page is reserved for use by the issuing authorities
The following page carries the index that translates the field numbers into the official languages of the EU
The remaining pages are reserved for visa
The inside back cover is reserved for additional information or recommendations by the issuing state in its own official language(s)

Overview of passports issued by 28 Member States

Member state	Cost	Validity	Issuing authority	Latest version
Austria	€75.90 (aged 12 or over) €30.00 (aged 0–11) Free (aged 0–2, first issue)	10 years (aged 12 or over) 5 years (aged 2–11) 2 years (aged 0–2)		16 June 2006
Belgium	€71 (adults; 32 pages; in Belgium) €41 (children; 32 pages; in Belgium) €240 (adults; 64 pages; in Belgium) €210 (children; 64 pages; in Belgium) €79 (adults; 32 pages; overseas) €35 (children; 32 pages; overseas) €240 (adults; 64 pages; overseas) €210 (children; 64 pages; overseas)^[8]	5 years	Communes (in Belgium) Belgian embassies and consulates (overseas)	1 February 2008
Bulgaria	40BGN / €20 (adults aged 14–58) 20BGN / €10 (adults under 14)	5 years	Ministry of Interior Affairs	29 March 2010
Croatia	390 HRK	10 years (adults aged 21 or over) 5 years (adults aged under 21)	Ministry of the Interior Affairs of the Republic of Croatia	1 July 2009
Cyprus	€70	10 Years	Civil Registry and Migration Department, Ministry of the Interior; Embassies and High Commissions of the Republic of Cyprus	13 December 2010
Czech Republic^[9]	CZK 600 (adults aged 15 or over) CZK 100 (children under 15)	10 years (adults aged 15 or over) 5 years (children under 15)	the town hall of the applicant's place of permanent residence abroad: consulates of the Czech Republic (except honorary consulates)	1 September 2006
Denmark	DKK 625 (adults aged 18 or over; 32 pages) DKK 140 (children aged under 18; 32 pages)	10 years (adults) 5 years (children under 18)		1 January 2012
Estonia	€28.76	5 years		22 May 2007
Finland	€48^[10] €24 for veterans of Finnish wars €48 temporary passport €65 fast-track passport €83 express passport €80 emergency passport €48 alien passport	5 years^[11]		21 August 2012
Åland Islands		5 years		21 August 2012
France	€86 (adults in metropolitan France and French overseas territory) €89 (adults outside France) €17 (children from 0 to 14, everywhere) €42 (teenager from 15 to 17, everywhere)	10 years (adults) 5 years (children under 18)	Préfecture offices (but forms can be addressed to any city hall) French consulates (abroad)	12 April 2006
Germany	€37.50 (applicants under 24; 32 pages) €59 (adults aged 24 or over; 32 pages)	10 years (adults aged 24 or over) 6 years (applicants under 24)	Municipal registration office	11 November 2007
Greece	€84.40 (adults) €73.60 (children)	5 years (applicants aged 15 or over) 2 years (children under 15)	National Passport Centre ("Διεύθυνση Διαβατηρίων/Αρχηγείο Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας")	28 August 2006
Hungary	7500 HUF (5 years) 14000 HUF (10 years)	5 years 10 years	Registration Office (Nyilvántartó Hivatal)	1 March 2012
Ireland	€80 (adults)^[12] €26.50 (children 3-18) €16 (children under 3)	10 years (adults) 3 or 5 years (children)	Consular and Passport Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs
Italy	€116,00 (€42.50 + €73.50 revenue stamp)^[13]	10 years (adults aged 18 or over) 5 years (applicants aged 3–17) 3 years (children under 3)^[14]	Minister of Foreign Affairs through Local quaestor (in Italy) Consulates and embassies (abroad)^[15]	20 May 2010
Latvia		10 years (adults aged 60 or over) 5 years (applicants aged 5–59) 2 years (children under 5)		20 November 2007
Lithuania	150LTL/€48 (adults) 75LTL/€24 (children)	10 years (adults aged 16 or over) 5 years (children aged 5–15) 2 years (children under 5)		27 January 2011
Luxembourg	€30 (5-year passports) €20 (2-year passports)	5 years (applicants aged 4 or over) 2 years (applicants under 4)	Passport Office, Luxembourg	1 July 2011
Malta				29 September 2008
The Netherlands	€66,96 (maximum, all ages 34-page passport; individual municipalities determine the rate^[16]) €84.88 (adults; 34 pages; overseas^[17])	10 years (applicants aged 18 and over)^[18] 5 years (applicants aged under 18)	Gemeente (Municipality)	9 March 2014
Poland	Application made within Poland: 140 zł (for applicants aged between 13 and 70) 30 zł (for applicants aged under 13) Application made through a Polish consulate: €106 (applicants aged between 13 and 70) €36 (applicants aged under 13) In both cases: free for applicants aged 70 and over certain classes of applicants qualify for a 50% discount of a relevant fee	10 years (applicants aged 13 and over) 5 years (applicants aged under 13)	Governor of a province (voivodeship) Consul	1 January 2006
Portugal	5 years (applicants aged 5 or over) 2 years (children under 5)		25 May 2009
Romania	276 RON / €59 (5-year passports) 116 RON / €25 (1-year passports)	5 years (applicants aged 6 or over) 3 years (applicants under 6) 1-year (temporary passport)	Ministry of Administration and Interior (General Directorate for Passports)	26 April 2006
Slovakia		10 years (adults aged 16 or over) 5 years (children aged 5–15) 2 years (children under 5)		15 January 2008
Slovenia				28 August 2006
Spain	€25	No expiry (adults over 70) 10 years (adults aged 30–70) 5 years (applicants under 30)	National Police Corps of Spain	14 August 2006
Sweden	350 SEK	5 years	Swedish Police Authority	2 January 2012
United Kingdom	In the United Kingdom £72.50 (adults; 32 pages) £85.50 (adults; 48 pages) £46 (children) Western European Passport Service: Paris Embassy €170 (exc. courier fee) (adults; 32 pages) €205 (exc. courier fee) (adults; 48 pages) €108 (exc. courier fee) (children)	10 years (adults aged 16 or over) 5 years (children under 16)	HM Passport Office (UK) Foreign and Commonwealth Office (overseas)	5 October 2010
Gibraltar		10 years (adults aged 16 or over) 5 years (children under 16)	Civil Status and Registration Office, Gibraltar	6 September 2006
Guernsey (Note that only those who have a connection to the United Kingdom (e.g. they have lived in the UK for five years, or born in the UK, or have parents or grandparents born in the UK) are EU citizens.)		10 years (adults aged 16 or over) 5 years (children under 16)	Passport Office of the Customs and Immmigration Department	25 September 2006
Isle of Man (Note that only those who have a connection to the United Kingdom (e.g. they have lived in the UK for five years, or born in the UK, or have parents or grandparents born in the UK) are EU citizens.)		10 years (adults aged 16 or over) 5 years (children under 16)	Chief Secretary's Office of the Isle of Man Government	6 October 2006
Jersey (Note that only those who have a connection to the United Kingdom (e.g. they have lived in the UK for five years, or born in the UK, or have parents or grandparents born in the UK) are EU citizens.)		10 years (adults aged 16 or over) 5 years (children under 16)	Passport Office, Jersey Government	9 October 2006

References

^ ^a ^b "Resolution of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the European Communities, meeting within the Council of 23 June 1981".
^ "Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004 on standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States".
^ Non-European lookalike passports, UK Passport office
^ Article 6.3.2 of the Practical Handbook for Border Guards (C (2006) 5186)
^ Judgement of the European Court of Justice of 17 February 2005, Case C 215/03, Salah Oulane vs. Minister voor Vreemdelingenzaken en Integratie
^ UK Border Force Operations Manual: Processing British and EEA Passengers without a valid Passport or Travel Document
^ "UK Border Agency: Using e-passport gates". Ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
^ http://diplomatie.belgium.be/fr/binaries/prijs_Paspoorten_FR_tcm313-122220.pdf
^ "Travel documents, website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic". Mvcr.cz. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
^ "Service prices 2014". Poliisi.fi. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
^ "Passport". Poliisi.fi. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
^ Department of Foreign Affairs. "Passport Fees - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade". Dfa.ie. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
^ "Il Rilascio". Poliziadistato.it. Retrieved 2014-08-29.
^ "Passaporto per i minori". Poliziadistato.it. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
^ "Ministero degli Affari Esteri - Documenti di Viaggio - Passaporto". Esteri.it. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
^ "Tarieven 2013". Bprbzk.nl. 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
^ "Paspoort en identiteitskaart voor Nederlanders in het buitenland". Denhaag.nl. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
^ "Paspoort wordt 10 jaar geldig". Rijksoverheid.nl. 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2014-03-10.

External links

EU Citizenship by Investing
European Passports in PRADO (The Council of the European Union Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online)

European Union topics

History

Timeline	Pre-1945 1945–1957 1958–1972 1973–1993 1993–2004 Since 2004

	European Coal and Steel Community (1951–2002) European Economic Community (1958–1993/2009) Euratom (1958–present) European Communities (1967–1993/2009) Justice and Home Affairs (1993–2009)

Geography

Politics

Institutions	European Council European Commission European Parliament Council of the European Union Court of Justice of the European Union European Central Bank European Court of Auditors

Agencies	Banking Border security (Frontex) Criminal intelligence (Europol) Disease prevention and control Environment Foreign affairs (External Action Service) Judicial co-operation (Eurojust) Maritime safety Reconstruction

Law	Acquis Charter of Fundamental Rights Competition law Copyright law Directive Enhanced co-operation Environmental policy Four freedoms labour mobility Government procurement Journal Mechanism for Cooperation and Verification Procedure (legislature) Citizens' Initiative Regulation Schengen Agreement Treaties opt-outs Visa policy

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Economy

Culture

Lists

Theory

Outline

Passports

Africa

Central

Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo, Republic of the Equatorial Guinea Gabon

ECCAS	Angola Congo, Democratic Republic of the São Tomé and Príncipe

Eastern

Northern

Southern

Western

Mauritania Saint Helena¹

ECOWAS	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Côte d'Ivoire Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Liberia Mali Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo

Americas

Caribbean

Anguilla¹ British Virgin Islands¹ Cayman Islands¹ Cuba Dominican Republic Montserrat¹ Turks and Caicos Islands¹

CARICOM	Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Dominica Grenada Haiti Jamaica Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago

Central

Costa Rica Panama

CARICOM	Belize

Central America-4	El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua

Northern

South

Chile Falkland Islands¹ Paraguay

Andean	Bolivia Colombia Ecuador Peru

CARICOM	Guyana Suriname

Mercosur	Argentina Brazil Uruguay Venezuela

Asia

Central & North	Afghanistan Kazakhstan⁶ Kyrgyzstan Russia³ Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan

East	China Hong Kong¹¹ Japan Korea, North Korea, South Macao¹¹ Mongolia Taiwan

South	Bangladesh Bhutan India Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka

Southeast	Brunei Burma Cambodia East Timor Indonesia Laos Malaysia Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam

West	Abkhazia⁵ ⁹ Armenia⁷ Azerbaijan⁵ Bahrain Cyprus⁷ Egypt⁸ Georgia⁵ Iran Iraq Islamic State¹⁰ Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Nagorno-Karabakh⁷ ⁹ Northern Cyprus⁷ ⁹ Oman Palestinian Authority Qatar Saudi Arabia South Ossetia⁵ ⁹ Syria Turkey⁴ United Arab Emirates Yemen

Europe

Other Europe

Abkhazia⁵⁹ Albania Andorra Armenia⁷ Azerbaijan⁵ Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Faroe Islands Georgia⁵ Iceland² Kazakhstan⁶ Kosovo⁹ Liechtenstein² Macedonia Malta, Sovereign Military Order of Moldova Monaco² Montenegro Nagorno-Karabakh⁷ ⁹ Northern Cyprus⁷ ⁹ Norway² Russia³ San Marino² Serbia South Ossetia⁵⁹ Switzerland² Transnistria⁹ Turkey⁴ Ukraine Vatican City²

British non-EU	British National (Overseas) British Overseas citizen British protected person

European Union

Oceania

Australia Fiji Kiribati Marshall Islands Micronesia, Federated States of Nauru New Zealand Palau Papua New Guinea Pitcairn Islands¹ Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu

International organizations
Defunct passports
Passport types

International organizations	European Union laissez-passer International Committee of the Red Cross Interpol United Nations laissez-passer

Defunct	British Indian Empire¹ Czechoslovakia East Germany Korean Empire League of Nations refugee Mandatory Palestine Rhodesia Soviet Union³ UNMIK Travel Document Yugoslavia

Types	Biometric Camouflage Diplomatic Fake Hajj Horse Internal International Machine-readable Pet Travel document alien refugee stateless person World

¹ British Overseas Territories.

² Open border with Schengen Area.

³ Russia is a transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. The vast majority of its population (80%) lives in European Russia, therefore Russia as a whole is included as a European country here.

⁴ Turkey is a transcontinental country in the Middle East and Southeast Europe. Has a small part of its territory (3%) in Southeast Europe called Turkish Thrace.

⁵ Azerbaijan and Georgia (Abkhazia; South Ossetia) are transcontinental countries. Both have a small part of their territories in the European part of the Caucasus.

⁶ Kazakhstan is a transcontinental country. Has a small part of its territories located west of the Urals in Eastern Europe.

⁷ Armenia (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Cyprus (Northern Cyprus) are entirely in Southwest Asia but having socio-political connections with Europe.

⁸ Egypt is a transcontinental country in North Africa and the Middle East. Has a small part of its territory in the Middle East called Sinai peninsula.

⁹ Partially recognized.

¹⁰ Not recognized by any other state.

¹¹ Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China

Passport of the European Union