Passport Expiration Rules: Don’t Make My Mistake in Germany

On a recent trip to Germany, I almost got sent home at the border because my passport was set to expire in 86 days. I thought I was safe, but the EU requires at least 90 days of validity beyond your stay. One traveler in line with me wasn’t so lucky: he was put on a plane back to the U.S. Don’t make the same mistake. Here’s what happened, what the “90-day rule” really means, and how to avoid problems with passport expiration on your next trip abroad.