Tholen residents urged to renew passports early as 4,390 documents expire in 2026
Residents of Tholen face a surge in passport and ID card renewals in 2026, with 4,390 documents expiring. To avoid long waits, the municipality advises checking validity now and applying online or by appointment. June and July will be the busiest months—plan ahead to travel stress-free.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Documents expiring in 2026 | 4,390 passports and ID cards |
| Busiest renewal period | June and July 2026 |
| Processing time (standard) | 5 working days |
| Processing time (urgent) | 2 working days (additional costs apply) |
| Online application | Via www.tholen.nl/reisdocumenten |
| Appointment booking | Online or by calling 14 0166 |
| Required documents | Old passport/ID, recent passport photo, parental permission for minors |
| Driver’s licence renewal | Online via RDW |
The municipality of Tholen is responsible for issuing passports and ID cards to residents, ensuring they meet legal requirements for travel and identification. They also facilitate online services to streamline the application process and reduce in-person crowds.
Read the full translated article below
Expected crowds at the counters: renew your passport or ID card in time
In 2026, 4,390 passports and identity cards (ID cards) of Tholen residents will need to be renewed. Since passports have been valid for ten years since 2014, many documents will expire around the same time. This will again lead to crowds at the counters, both when applying and when collecting the documents. The busiest period is expected in June and July. We therefore urge residents to check the validity of their passport or ID card in time and to make an appointment promptly. Do not wait until just before the expiry date. This way, we can avoid long waiting times and ensure residents can travel without stress.
Apply online or make an appointment
The fastest way to renew your passport or ID card is to submit an online application in advance using your DigiD and pay directly on our website www.tholen.nl/reisdocumenten (Links to an external website). After the online application, you can make an appointment to complete the application process at the town hall. It is also possible to complete the entire application and payment process at the town hall. Make an appointment via www.tholen.nl/reisdocumenten (Links to an external website) or by calling 14 0166.
Come prepared and avoid an extra appointment
Bring the following to the town hall to avoid unnecessary extra appointments:
- Your old passport and/or ID card (even if they are expired or foreign);
- A new passport photo that is no more than six months old.
- Permission from both parents/guardians. For children under 18 applying for a passport, permission from both parents/guardians is required. For children under 12 applying for an ID card, permission from both parents/guardians is required. You can grant permission digitally via DigiD or download the permission form from www.tholen.nl/reisdocumenten (Links to an external website).
Collecting your travel document
Your new travel document will be ready for collection at the town hall after five working days. No appointment is required for this. Need it sooner? You can request the document via the urgent procedure. If the application is submitted before 3:00 PM, the travel document will be ready for collection after two working days. An urgent procedure incurs additional costs. For more information, visit www.tholen.nl/reisdocumenten.
More information
For more information about renewing your passport or ID card, visit www.tholen.nl/reisdocumenten (Links to an external website).
Online renewal of driver’s licence
To further reduce crowds at the counters, we also remind residents of the option to easily renew their driver’s licence or add a category online. Have a passport photo taken at an RDW-approved photographer (Primera Tholen or Drogisterij Smerdiek) or at a photo booth in the town hall. The photo will be sent directly to the RDW. You will then receive an email and can log in using the DigiD app to confirm and pay for your application. Your new driver’s licence will be ready for collection at the town hall within two working days, without the need for an appointment. For more information, visit tholen.nl/rijbewijsverlengen and rdw.nl/rijbewijsverlengen (Links to an external website)