UK Passport Renewals for �� Residents.

I've often wondered - what happens if you don't renew it and then turn up at the UK border? [after all - you are still a UK citizen - aren't you?] .

I do not think I would be able to reach the UK border? I do not think they would allow me to board the plane, train, boat or coach in Italy without a valid current passport and appropriate visa (if needed by the destination country). The carrier, I think,will be liable to take me back if I did not have the appropriate documents. I do not think I will be able to get passed the check-in or immigration police or authorities, let alone board the plane, train, boat or coach. The �� identity card that I got on obtaining �� residency is only valid within Italy!By the way, if you are a British Citizen applying in Italy for a visa to enter India, I was told in March 2009, by the Indian Embassy that I needed a letter of introduction from the British Embassy to get it. The British Consulate in Florence confirmed this and said they (the Bristish Government) had made representations to the Indian Government. I wonder if the position has changed?

As Serge says, I do not think you would be able to get anywhere, especially not into the UK, without a passport. The �� Identity card does say that it is not valid for leaving the country, so a passport should still be carried within the European Union, outside of Italy.

The last time that I returned to England, I entered with a passport that had the plastic covering the photograph detached. I was allowed in with no comment. On trying to get out two days later however, I was not allowed to use it for that reason. they explained that I had to be allowed in as a UK citizen. The country is mad! Anyway I was told to use my italian identity card. That got me out of Stansted but at Pescara, no no no. I had 3 passport control bods all to myself, refusing to allow me into Italy on the identity card. When they saw my passport they had a good laugh whilst passing it around. They then demanded my Permesso, luckily I had it with me. They very reluctantly let me in. I have not tried to get out of here since.

I would like to say thanks to badger for this info, I was just about to send 4 passports to Rome for renewal. can't imagine where they might have ended up if I had!

Ever since the introduction of the electronic passports or epassports most consulates are unable to issue them. I think that in an emergency they may be able to issue a kind of "laissez-passer", but a normal passport can only be issued at certain offices which have the necessary equipment. Our Australian passports used to be issued in London, but now I have seen that our daughter's latest document has been issued in Washington. All these special security measures have dramatically increased the cost of passports.I recommend you to get your UK passport as soon as possible and always try to renew it before the date of expiry.