Passport and ID card validity should be checked well before an autumn holiday abroad, Finnish police advise, as travellers could face problems if their documents do not meet the requirements of their destination country.
For travellers leaving Finland during the autumn holiday period, checking travel documents should be one of the first things on the pre-trip list. An expired passport or identity card, or a document that does not meet a destination country’s validity rules, can cause problems close to departure.
Finnish citizens can travel using a valid identity card within EU and EEA countries and Switzerland. For destinations outside these areas, a passport is generally required. Travellers should still check the specific entry requirements of the country they intend to visit, as some destinations impose additional requirements on how long a passport must remain valid after arrival or departure.
The condition of the document also matters. A damaged passport or identity card can create difficulties even when it has not technically expired. Families travelling with children should check each child’s travel document separately rather than assuming that all documents are valid for the same period.
“It is not worth waiting until the last minute, as an expired travel document or one that is valid for too short a period of time can cause an unpleasant surprise just before the trip,” says Hanna Piipponen, Permit Administration Manager.
Travellers who need a new passport or identity card are encouraged to start the application process online. According to the police, online applications can save both time and money and make it easier to determine whether a personal visit to a police station is required.
If an appointment is necessary, booking one in advance is recommended. There are currently plenty of appointment times available in most parts of Finland, but demand can increase as the autumn holiday season approaches. Securing an appointment early can help ensure that a new travel document is ready before the planned departure.
The passport and identity card also serve a purpose beyond international travel. They provide a reliable way of proving identity in a range of situations, and Finnish travel documents incorporate physical and electronic security features designed to support secure identification and travel. Biometric information is also used as part of the security system.
Keeping those protections effective is not solely the responsibility of the authorities. Document holders are also responsible for using their passport or identity card appropriately and keeping it secure.
For anyone who needs to renew a travel document, the process starts with a passport photograph. The photograph submitted with a passport or identity card application must be no more than six months old.
The application can then be started through the Finnish police’s online passport service. Depending on the application, the system will indicate whether the applicant needs to visit a police station. Those who are required to attend should book an appointment, and anyone who can no longer attend is asked to cancel the appointment so the slot can be made available to someone else.
Once the application has been processed and the document is ready, the applicant will receive a notification explaining when and where it can be collected.
For travellers preparing for an autumn holiday, the practical message is straightforward: check the passport or identity card now, verify the entry requirements of the destination and start a renewal application early if necessary. Waiting until the days before departure can leave little room to resolve an expired or unsuitable travel document.
For further information about passports and identity cards, the Finnish police national advice service can be contacted on 0295 419 800, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
