Irish passports issued during the Christmas period are being recalled following a printing error that could cause problems at international border controls. The error, caused by a technical issue with a software update, affects all passports issued between December 23, 2025, and January 6, 2026.
The Passport Service has acknowledged that the affected passports are not fully compliant with international travel standards and warned that some passport holders may experience issues at eGates and border control when traveling. The service has apologized for the inconvenience caused to citizens.
“The Passport Service is aware of an issue affecting passports issued between 23 December 2025 and 6 January 2026,” a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated. “Due to a technical issue with a software update, passports issued between 23 December 2025 and 6 January 2026 inclusive are not fully compliant with international travel standards and there is a possibility that some passport holders may have an issue at eGates and Border Control when travelling.”
The spokesperson added: “The Passport Service sincerely regrets this issue and apologises to affected citizens for the inconvenience caused.”
To minimize potential travel disruptions, the Passport Service has taken proactive measures by notifying border authorities worldwide through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as well as Irish Border Management. This notification aims to alert immigration officials about the issue so affected passport holders can pass through border controls with minimal difficulty.
The Passport Service has contacted affected customers directly by email to inform them of the problem. Replacement passports will be reissued to all affected customers in the coming days and weeks at no additional charge.
Customers who received passports during the affected period can find more information and guidance at ireland.ie/en/passport-returns. The website provides details about the recall process, what to do if planning to travel, and how to obtain a replacement passport.
The timing of the error is particularly unfortunate, occurring during the busy Christmas travel period when many Irish citizens receive new passports for planned holiday trips. However, the Passport Service’s swift communication with international border authorities should help mitigate major travel disruptions while replacement documents are processed.
Anyone who received a passport between December 23 and January 6 and has upcoming travel plans should check their email for communications from the Passport Service and visit the dedicated information page for guidance on proceeding with their travel arrangements.