The issue concerns the passports processed by the Passport Office in December 2025 and January 2026. Those who requested their passports during that period may encounter issues while travelling, at the boarding gates, and at border control.

According to Irish Central, the Passport Service at the Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the situation involving passports issued between 23 December 2025 and 6 January 2026. It is also noted that the people the issue may concern have already been contacted.

Quoted by Irish Central, the spokesperson informed that “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.”

Technical issue

The printing issues occurred after a software update, resulting in passports that were not fully compliant with international travel standards. This may cause difficulties when travelling, as passports may not be accepted at border control.

The international border authorities have already been notified, and the Department of Foreign Affairs has stated that it intends to spend €13.6 million to redesign Irish passports.