Children must hold a passport of their own beginning from 26 June 2012. Children can no longer travel abroad with their names listed on a parent’s or guardian’s passport.
The one person-one passport (1P-1P) requirement is based on the amendment of the European Union passport regulation of 2009 (Regulation (EC) No 444/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004 on standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States). In accordance with the amended regulation, a passport may include data of one person only. The EU Member States had a three-year transition period, which ends on 25 June 2012.
In Finland passports issued to parents for ten years in August 2006 can include children. These passports do not include biometric identifies but they continue to be valid until their date of expiry. However, as from 26 June 2012, these passports can be used by only the primary passport holder, that is, the parent or guardian. Children added to the passport are not entitled to travel on that passport after the said date.
The approach to the expiry of the transition period may differ especially during the first months depending on the EU Member State. Some Member States have informed that they will observe the provisions of the regulation and implement border controls accordingly as soon as the transition period expires. It is to be noted that airlines also apply the EU legislation when checking passengers’ right to travel at departure. .
