Minister Coveney issues advice to citizens for safe summer travel
- Published on: 18 May 2022
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
As the summer travel season approaches, and with the easing of pandemic restrictions in many popular holiday destinations, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Simon Coveney has issued advice to citizens to prepare for safe summer holidays:
"For many, this summer will be the first time travelling abroad since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. My department and I want to ensure that Irish citizens are equipped with all the necessary information before they travel to ensure a stress-free and well-deserved holiday. I would advise everyone going abroad this summer to ‘Know Before you Go’ - check our travel advice for your destination country for relevant information about COVID-19 restrictions and entry requirements, safety & security, visas, and more."
While Ireland has lifted its COVID-19 entry requirements, these are still in place in many countries. Those travelling this summer should be mindful of the required health documentation and ensure that their EU Digital COVID Certificates are valid, if required for the country they wish to visit.
Minister Coveney added:
"Along with your EU-DCC, be sure to check that your passport is still valid before you book a holiday. This is particularly important for travel to countries with a minimum validity requirement. The fastest way to renew your Irish passport is through the Passport Online service. I would also urge all those travelling to purchase comprehensive travel insurance and that citizens travelling to continental Europe carry a European Health Insurance Card."
Although most trips abroad are trouble-free, a network of Irish Embassies and Consulates across the world is available to assist in case something does go wrong while you are abroad. The network of diplomatic and consular missions across the world provides emergency assistance to Irish citizens, with the Minister advising citizens that:
"All those travelling should be aware of your nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate while abroad, and anyone travelling further afield should register their details with us via our online Citizens’ Registration service, so that we can contact you should an unforeseen crisis arise while you are travelling."
Notes
The Department of Foreign Affairs provides country-specific travel advice for 200 countries to help citizens to make informed decisions when planning a trip overseas: ireland.ie/travel.
An email service is also available for those with urgent queries at traveladvice@dfa.ie.