'Don't be that person' - From lost passports to consular aid, here are five tips for your trips
The government has issued a caution to all holidaymakers this summer
With summer in full swing, many are excitedly planning foreign holidays to soak up some sun and culture.
To ensure your trip goes off without a hitch, it's important to be prepared. The government has issued a caution to all holidaymakers saying, "don't be that person". Here are five tips to help you travel on your summer holiday with ease.
- Check your passport: One of the most common travel snags is an expired passport. Many countries that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. To avoid last-minute stress, check the expiration dates of all family members' passports when planning your trip and apply for renewals in advance. If the passport is lost/stolen abroad, the nearest Irish Embassy can give you an emergency travel document that will get you home.
- Know your destination: Aside from the nearby beaches and restaurants to your accommodation, ensure you check the details specific to that country through the Department of Foreign Affairs website. Handy information on all from health and safety & security, to embassy contact and local laws and customs is available to prospective holidaymakers.
- Visa requirements: Ensure all your documents are approved ahead of time. Processing times vary, so make sure to allow for this before flying. The Department say: "Visa applications are considered in as speedy a manner as possible but timeframes for decision can be dependent on a number of factors including, the number of applications received and the resources available to process them at any one time."
- Contact consular assistance: The Department of Foreign Affairs provides a range of help and support to citizens in distress abroad. If sickness or an emergency arises while abroad, the nearest Irish Embassy can contact your family, friends or designated emergency contact in Ireland, communicate with medical personnel or hospital authorities, can help you to find English-speaking local doctors, medical facilities, and English-language translators and interpreter and can transfer funds from family and friends at home to you, if necessary.
- Victim of a crime abroad: If in a situation where you have been the victim of a crime, the nearest Irish Embassy can help. In the case of lost/stolen bank cards, the consulate can let you know how you can get funds transferred to you from Ireland and help you file a local police report. In the case of fraud, they can assist you in dealing with the police, can help you to find local, English-speaking lawyers and can get in touch with family and friends and help with arrangements to get you home. In the case of injury or assault, they can assist you in dealing with the police, can help you to find local, English-speaking lawyers and medical practioners and can get in touch with family and friends to get you home.
More information can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.