For 2026 travelers, the rules for an expired passport in Europe are strict: for non-EU citizens, you cannot travel with an expired passport. Your passport must be valid and, for most Schengen countries, have at least 3 to 6 months of validity remaining beyond your departure date. For EU/Schengen citizens, you can generally travel within the Schengen area using a valid National ID card, even if your passport is expired. Some specific treaties, like the "European Agreement on the Movement of Persons," allow citizens of certain member countries (like France or Germany) to travel with a passport that has been expired for up to 5 years, but this is increasingly rare and often rejected by airlines. To avoid being denied boarding in 2026, it is essentially a universal rule that all international travelers should have a valid, non-expired passport in their possession at all times.