Ireland entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
No passport is legally required for British nationals under the Common Travel Area, but your airline or ferry may require one. In the FCDO's words:
British nationals are not legally required to show a passport to enter Ireland, but it may be useful to carry in case you need to prove your identity. British and Irish citizens can continue to travel freely between the UK and Ireland under the Common Travel Area.
Some airlines and ferry operators have introduced, or will be introducing, a passport-only identification requirement. Check your carrier’s requirements before departure and, where necessary, travel with a valid passport. Check the Ireland Citizens Information Board for guidance on acceptable ID.
Visa (FCDO): Read the official visa text below
Official source: GOV.UK – Ireland travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 4 September 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
What the UK government (FCDO) says about passports and ID for British nationals travelling to Ireland, quoted word for word.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Australian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani
Driving in Ireland, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Canadian licence · Australian licence
Do I need a visa for Ireland with a British passport?
We quote the FCDO text word for word and do not summarise it: its first sentence has conditions or a wording we do not turn into a one-line answer.
You can visit and remain indefinitely in Ireland under the Common Travel Area rules. British nationals do not need a visa or residency permit to live, work or study in Ireland.
Although Ireland is in the EU, it is not part of the Schengen area, and Schengen rules do not apply.
As Ireland is not in the Schengen area it is therefore not affected by the new Entry/Exit System (EES) that will be introduced in Schengen countries from 12 October 2025. You will not need to register for EES when entering Ireland. Read more information on the EU Entry/Exit System and to understand which countries are in the Schengen area.
Official source: GOV.UK – Ireland travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 4 September 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport and ID requirements”
British nationals are not legally required to show a passport to enter Ireland, but it may be useful to carry in case you need to prove your identity. British and Irish citizens can continue to travel freely between the UK and Ireland under the Common Travel Area.
Some airlines and ferry operators have introduced, or will be introducing, a passport-only identification requirement. Check your carrier’s requirements before departure and, where necessary, travel with a valid passport. Check the Ireland Citizens Information Board for guidance on acceptable ID.
Irish immigration officers are entitled to ask for proof of British nationality in the course of their work.
Official source: GOV.UK – Ireland travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 4 September 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
No automatic check for this destination. The official text above is not a validity period we turn into a date calculation. Read it, and check with your airline or carrier.
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 4 September 2026: “Addition of information about ID requirements for travel between the UK and Ireland under the Common Travel Area (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 17 February 2023: “Updated information on removal of COVID-19 travel restrictions and removal of information on UK industrial action in December and January 2022/23 ('Coronavirus' and 'Entry requirements' page).”
- 5 March 2022: “Update to information on Coronavirus restrictions and entry requirements (See 'Coronavirus" and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)”
- 25 January 2022: “Update to information on Coronavirus restrictions and entry requirements (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Ireland (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
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Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status