Department of Foreign Affairs to programme reminders for passport expiry dates: but NOT until 2027

The Department of Foreign Affairs has urged Irish citizens to check passport expiry dates before travel
Over 500,000 passports have been issued in the first half of 2026
EU travel requires passports less than 10 years old with at least 3 months validity remaining
Adult online renewals average 10 working days; paper applications take at least 8 weeks
A renewal reminder service will roll out for new passports issued from 2027

The Department of Foreign Affairs has urged Irish citizens to check their passport expiry dates well ahead of planned trips this summer and beyond. The advice forms part of ongoing guidance to avoid last-minute problems at check-in or border control. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has issued an urgent reminder following a surge in demand.

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Over 500,000 passports have been issued in the first half of 2026 alone. Travellers are advised to verify documents before booking flights. For EU travel, passports must be less than 10 years old on the day of entry, with extra months added from previous renewals no longer counting. Most European countries require at least 3 months of validity remaining from the planned return date, while many destinations outside the EU require a full 6 months.

Adult online renewals average 10 working days, while complex or child renewals take roughly 15 working days. First-time applications take up to 20 working days. Standard paper applications via Post Passport take at least 8 weeks. Emergency appointments are available at passport offices in Dublin or Cork for imminent travel. A text and email renewal reminder service will roll out from 2027 for new passports issued from that date onward.

Minister Helen McEntee shared “Irish citizens should check their passport expiry dates to ensure holiday plans proceed smoothly and avoid getting turned away at the airport.”