Easily missed passport rule could see Scots fans banned from entering Germany

IT’S top of the Tartan Army travel checklist – along with beer money, match tickets, kilt and sporran.

No Scotland, no party – and no passport, no party either.

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But simply remembering their travel documents isn’t enough for Scotland fans planning on living it up in Germany later this month.

When December’s draw was made – pitting Steve Clarke’s team against the hosts in the showpiece opener on June 14 – SFA chief Ian Maxwell predicted up to 100,000 supporters would head for Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart.

That’s now been revealed as an underestimate – by as much as HALF.

German police are preparing for as many as 200,000 Tartan Army fanataics to follow Andy Robertson, John McGinn and co to Bavaria and beyond for the matches with Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.

They’re going by planes, trains and taxi – and one is even WALKING the distance.

But there’s one vital check they ALL need to make before they set off for the summer adventure, or risk being caught out.

In the most severe cases they could even be turned away from entering the host nation itself – and forced to watch on from home.

As a result of Brexit rules now in force, fans heading to Germany must ensure their passport is within a certain date range or risk being banned at the border.

British travellers with a valid passport can travel into Germany without a visa – it’s part of the Schengen area agreement.

But Foreign and Commonwealth office advice warns passports must expire no less than three months after the day you plan to leave.

Not only that, they must also be no more than 10 years old. Any passports renewed before October 2018 may be at risk of being affected.

Fans have also been warned of local customs and laws – although one Sunday NOISE ban has been shelved for the duration of the tournament.

However too much German beer – a favourite of the Tartan Army – could come at a cost.

In Munich, anyone lifted for being too sozzled can be taken to a “Drunk Tank” — known as a “Ausnüchterungszelle” – to sleep it off.

The following day they must pay 60 Euros to secure release.

A spokesman for Munich Tourism said: “We welcome all fans from our European neighbours for a glorious festival of football.

“We also encourage fans to immerse themselves in the rich culture Munich has to offer.

“All visitors are asked to respect our local laws. Please make the most of our friendly welcome and not the ‘Ausnüchterungszelle’.”

He added: “Let’s go Deutschland and Schottland!”

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