Nearly 13,000 Irish passports are being recalled by the Department of Foreign Affairs following a software update that caused a critical printing defect. These documents fail to meet international travel standards and may be rejected by automated border control gates and security systems worldwide.
The Irish government has identified a technical error affecting 12,904 passports issued during a specific window between December 23, 2025, and January 6, 2026. This defect was triggered by a recent software update that resulted in a failure to meet the strict criteria required for international travel documents. Because the passports do not comply with these global regulations, a formal alert has been issued through the International Civil Aviation Organisation to notify border authorities across the globe of the potential issue.
The primary concern involves the documents' ability to function at automated eGates and manual border checkpoints. While the government has not detailed the exact location of the printing flaw, it is believed to involve a missing three-letter country code required for machine readability. Without this specific data, scanners used at airports and international crossings may be unable to verify the document, leading to significant delays or entry denials for travelers.
To rectify the situation, the Passport Office has launched a mass re-issuance program for all affected citizens. Individuals who received their documents during the identified dates are being instructed to return their passport books and cards to the department. Officials have emphasized that this recall is necessary to ensure that citizens do not encounter unforeseen obstacles during future international travel or security screenings.
The replacement process has been designed to be straightforward for the public, as holders do not need to submit a completely new application. The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing these replacements free of charge and expects to issue the corrected documents within approximately ten working days of receiving the defective ones. This expedited timeline aims to minimize the inconvenience caused to those with upcoming travel plans.
The department has issued an official notice advising all holders of the faulty passports to participate in the exchange immediately to maintain the integrity of their travel credentials. By proactively replacing these documents, the government hopes to resolve the technical discrepancy before it causes widespread disruption at international borders. This action ensures that all Irish travel documents remain fully compliant with the mandatory international standards overseen by global aviation authorities.
Source: Ireland Recalls Nearly 13,000 Passports Over Missing IRL Code