Irish citizens are being encouraged to check their passport expiry date ahead of any planned travel abroad in the new year.<\/p>\n
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has launched the Passport Service’s 2026 information and awareness campaign \u2013 Don\u2019t Be That Person.<\/p>\n
The campaign encourages the public to check their passport validity before making travel plans and to apply for their passport online well in advance of their departure.<\/p>\n
The passport portal, ‘Passport Online’ remains the quickest, easiest, and most cost-effective way for Irish citizens, at home and abroad, to apply for a passport, the department said.<\/p>\n
The service supports renewals, first-time applications, and applications for new-borns and children.<\/p>\n
This year, 93% of all applicants used Passport Online when applying for their passport.<\/p>\n
The 2026 ‘Don\u2019t Be That Person\u2019 digital campaign focuses on informing parents that both first time and renewal applications for babies and children can be made online.<\/p>\n
Minister McEntee said: “As people begin planning holidays, family trips, and work travel for the year ahead, it\u2019s vital to check the validity of your passport as you make your preparations.<\/p>\n
“As a parent of young children myself, I know the organisation that goes into planning a family holiday. For parents planning to travel with children, particularly their first holiday, applying online and early is key.”<\/p>\n