Identification and Visas for Visitors

For UK citizens travelling from the UK, a passport is not required by immigration officials; however, you must bring official ID of some sort, preferably passport, driver's licence, or another official form of identification. We strongly recommend a passport. Your airline or ferry company may have stricter ID requirements in place, and you should check with them prior to travel to avoid disappointment.

Citizens of the EU and Switzerland are required to bring their passport or national identity card.

Citizens of all other countries must bring their passports.

Visas for entering Ireland

Citizens of the following countries do not need to obtain a visa to visit Ireland (but must bring their passport):-

Citizens of countries not on the above list must contact their nearest Irish Consulate or Embassy to obtain a visa prior to visiting Ireland.

Details are correct as of May 2005, and relates to those wishing to pay a short visit to Ireland for leisure. More information and an up-to-date list of countries can be found at the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which you should consult before departure. Alternatively, contact your nearest Irish Consulate or Embassy.

** Citizens of the UK travelling from England, Scotland, Wales or NI, need only bring an official (e.g. driving licence or state-issued ID) form of ID. We recommend a passport if possible, however only an "official photo ID" is required by immigration. Various airlines and ferry services implement their own (tighter) restrictions and you should consult them prior to travel as to an acceptable document.