EU travel rules tighten passport validity and hand‑luggage fees for passengers

The European Union has reinforced a long‑standing passport rule: travelers must hold a passport that remains valid for at least three months after the planned exit from the Schengen area and that was issued within the previous ten years. Airlines and border‑control systems now check this requirement rigorously, leading to numerous passengers being denied boarding and losing money on flights.

At the same time, the EU has updated Regulation 261/2004, set to take effect in 2027. The reform keeps airlines’ right to charge for cabin‑bag transport but guarantees that every passenger can bring a small personal item (max 40 × 30 × 15 cm) free of charge. It also obliges carriers to display the full ticket price, including any hand‑luggage surcharges, at the start of the booking process and to provide free adjacent seats for children up to 14 years, pregnant travellers, and passengers with reduced mobility.

These measures aim to standardise airline fees across the bloc and protect consumer rights while maintaining security and operational standards at EU airports.