Ireland Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
UK citizens do not need a visa to travel to Ireland. Under the Common Travel Area (CTA), British nationals have the right to enter, live, work, and study in Ireland indefinitely without any visa or work permit. There are no immigration checks on routes between the UK and Ireland for British and Irish citizens.
Great news! United Kingdom passport holders can enter Ireland without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa application is required. UK citizens simply need to bring a passport or valid photo ID. There are no immigration checks for British citizens arriving from the UK, though you may occasionally be asked to show identification. No advance registration or permission is needed to live or work in Ireland.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Passport or valid photo ID
A UK passport is strongly recommended and required by airlines for air travel. UK citizens are not legally required to carry a passport on the UK-Ireland land or sea route, but a valid photo ID is advisable. No visa stamp or endorsement is required.
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Ireland: What You Need to Know
The Common Travel Area (CTA) is a long-standing arrangement between the United Kingdom and Ireland that predates both countries' EU membership, dating back to 1922. It gives UK citizens the right to enter Ireland freely and to live, work, and study there without a visa, work permit, or any immigration formalities.
No passport is legally required to travel between the UK and Ireland, but a valid passport or photo ID is strongly recommended, especially for air travel, where airlines require ID.
When the UK left the European Union in 2020, Ireland remained in the CTA, meaning Brexit did not affect the freedom of movement between the two countries for British and Irish citizens. UK citizens are not subject to EU entry rules such as the EES (Entry/Exit System) or ETIAS when travelling to Ireland.
The currency in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro (EUR). Ireland is a separate country from Northern Ireland, which remains part of the UK and uses British pounds (GBP).
How to Get There
By air: Direct flights between the UK and Ireland are frequent and cheap. Major airlines include Aer Lingus, Ryanair, and British Airways. Routes operate from London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN), Edinburgh (EDI), and Birmingham (BHX) to Dublin (DUB), Cork (ORK), and Shannon (SNN). Flight times are typically 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Stena Line and Irish Ferries operate Holyhead to Dublin (approx. 3.5 hours)
- Stena Line operates Cairnryan (Scotland) to Belfast (approx. 2.5 hours). Note that Belfast is in Northern Ireland and remains part of the UK, so there is no border crossing on that route
By ferry: Ferry services are a popular alternative.
Ferries are a great option for travellers bringing a car or seeking a more scenic journey.
Money & Banking
The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (EUR). UK pounds (GBP) are not accepted in most shops, restaurants, or services in Ireland.
- UK debit and credit cards work throughout Ireland but may incur foreign transaction fees. Check with your bank before travelling
- Contactless payments are widely accepted across shops, restaurants, and transport
- ATMs are available in all towns and cities and dispense euros
Note: In Northern Ireland (part of the UK), GBP is used as normal.
Practical Tips
- Driving in Ireland is on the left, the same as the UK, so UK drivers will feel at home
- Road signs are in both English and Irish (Gaeilge). Distances are shown in kilometres
- Pubs in Ireland typically have last orders at 11:30pm, with closing around midnight
- The Wild Atlantic Way is a famous coastal driving route along Ireland's west coast, highly recommended for scenic travel
- Irish weather is similar to the UK: mild, changeable, and often rainy. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket regardless of the season
- Ireland uses the same Type G plug sockets as the UK, so no adaptor is needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Ireland?
No. UK citizens do not need a visa to visit Ireland. Under the Common Travel Area (CTA), British nationals can enter Ireland freely without any visa, permit, or prior authorisation, and can stay indefinitely.
What is the Common Travel Area (CTA)?
The Common Travel Area is a long-standing agreement between the United Kingdom and Ireland that has existed since 1922, before either country joined the EU. It gives British and Irish citizens the right to move freely between the two countries without immigration controls, and to live, work, and study in either country.
Can UK citizens live and work in Ireland?
Yes. UK citizens have the right to live, work, and study in Ireland indefinitely under the Common Travel Area. No visa, work permit, or prior permission is required. This right was not affected by Brexit.
Do UK pounds work in Ireland?
No. The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (EUR), and UK pounds (GBP) are not accepted in most places. UK debit and credit cards work fine but may carry foreign transaction fees. Note that Northern Ireland (part of the UK) uses GBP as normal.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Ireland?
Yes, there are frequent and affordable direct flights. Airlines including Aer Lingus, Ryanair, and British Airways fly from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham to Dublin, Cork, and Shannon. Flight times are typically 1 to 1.5 hours.
What is the best way to travel from the UK to Ireland?
The most common option is flying, with cheap and frequent routes from major UK airports to Dublin, Cork, and Shannon taking around 1 to 1.5 hours. Ferry is a great alternative: Stena Line and Irish Ferries run from Holyhead to Dublin (approx. 3.5 hours), and Stena Line connects Cairnryan in Scotland to Belfast (approx. 2.5 hours). Ferries are ideal for travellers bringing a car.