Yes, a valid passport is required. As far as Spain is concerned, it requires to be valid only for the duration of your stay in the country. But as far as your airline or tour operator is concerned, it may have to be valid for a minimum of 6 months.

More info and discussion can be found in our PASSPORT ADVICE and Q&As topic.

David

If she sent it through the check and send system via the Post Office she should just about get it back in time. Otherwise she might struggle. I expect the IPS is a bit busy now they've announced yet another price rise for October.

PS. Looks like they might not be all that busy after all. I handed my application in to the Liverpool office last Thursday and I just found out it's arrived today

If you get worried try and give them a ring to arrange an appointment for a same day or one week collection passport. You pay more but there you go!

Colin... wow, do you mean your actual new passport was returned in a week? She did do it through the post office, so hopefully it will arrive soon. She could always phone them to see how the application is going I suppose.

Thanks for all your replies

Remember there is a postal strike planned and although it's only for one day at the moment it could escalate.

Karen

Passport arrived yesterday

Excellent. My sis and I handed her's into the passport office this morning and were told a 2-3 week wait which is cool. They don't use the post office so there won't be a problem.

Karen

Glad to hear that it has arrived, ElleDee.

I will close this thread now to reduce duplication, but if anyone has any additonal questions regarding passport renewals, please feel free to post in the Passport Q&As topic which I linked to up above.

David