Travelling and Visiting
Last updated: 28 February 2019
Published: 27 February 2019
From: Department of the Taoiseach
There is a very high volume of travel between Ireland and the UK, from tourists and people visiting friends and family to people commuting for work. Post-Brexit, this will be largely unaffected. However, as the UK will be leaving the EU and the Single Market, there may be some considerations around passports, driving licences, and visas for third country nationals. Please see information on travelling between Ireland and the UK post-Brexit below.
There are no requirements for passport controls in operation for Irish and British citizens travelling between Ireland and the UK and there will be no change to this as a result of Brexit.
However, as regular passengers would be aware, all air and sea carriers require some form of identification and some carriers regard a passport as the only valid identification. Immigration authorities may also require you to have valid official photo-identification, which shows your nationality. Therefore, please check that your passport is valid and in date.
Immigration requirements, as appropriate, will continue to apply to non-EU and non-UK citizens. For further information, please see the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website.
Avoiding the return of a hard border on this island is a Government priority in all circumstances. The best way to achieve that is in the negotiated EU-UK withdrawal agreement. Without that agreement, avoiding a hard border will be more challenging and will require detailed discussions between Ireland and the EU and, ultimately, with the UK. In that scenario the outcome, including practical arrangements for businesses, especially those in the border area and those trading across the border, will be made public as soon as possible.
Flying
Flights to and from the UK
All direct flights between Ireland and the UK will still be able to operate post-Brexit. We do not expect any extra delays to flights as a result of Brexit. If you have booked a flight directly to or from the UK, you do not need to take any action.
Your passenger rights
The EU currently has rules in place, which protect passengers in the case of delays or cancellations to their flights.
According to information published by the UK Government, for air passengers on a flight departing the UK, the same passenger rights as apply today will continue to apply after the UK leaves the EU.
Transiting via the UK
If you are travelling via the UK to an onward destination, either within the EU or to a third country, we do not envisage any additional security checks.
Travelling to and from the UK
All direct ferry services to and from Ireland to the UK will still be able to operate post-Brexit. If you have booked a ferry to or from the UK, you do not need to take any action and can travel as before. You should also read the information, above, in relation to passport checks.
Driving
Driving Licences
When your residency changes between EU Member States, you should exchange your original EU driving licence for one from the EU country that you now live in.
If you are resident in Ireland and hold a UK driving licence: If you hold a UK driving licence and are resident in Ireland, you should apply to exchange your UK licence for an Irish licence before 29 March. You should contact the National Driver Licence Service. The NDLS has also published some useful FAQs on its website.
In a no deal scenario, after 29 March, if already resident in Ireland and holding a UK driving licence, you will need to apply for an Irish licence. Currently this involves completing a theory test, a course of driver training and passing a driving test. Please check current advice in the lead up to and after 29 March as this information may be updated.
Visiting Ireland on a UK licence: You will be able to drive on a driving licence from the UK for up to one year provided the driving licence is current and valid.
Driving in the UK on an Irish licence: The UK Government’s stated position is that, after 29 March, arrangements for EU licence holders who are visiting or living in the UK would not change. Visitors to the UK, with driving licences from EU Member States, will enjoy the same arrangements as today.
International Driving Permits
Drivers from the UK visiting Ireland will not be required to carry an International Driving Permit in order to drive here.
Insurance cover
The vast majority of Irish motor insurance policies cover driving in the UK, as they refer to the UK specifically. A small number of policies may refer to travelling ‘in the EU’ rather than explicitly referring to the UK.
If you are in doubt, you should contact your insurance company to confirm that you have UK cover.
Proof of insurance
At present, all motor vehicles from any EU country (including the UK) may travel within the EU without carrying special documentation to prove that they have insurance in the country they are visiting. This will change when the UK leaves the EU.
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland and the Association of British Insurers have advised those who plan on driving their Irish-registered motor vehicle in Northern Ireland or Great Britain after Brexit to get a Green Card from their insurance company.
A Green Card is an internationally recognised insurance document, which provides proof of valid level of motor insurance cover required by the country visited. Not having one, if stopped, could lead to difficulties in proving that you are insured to drive. Drivers travelling from Northern Ireland or Great Britain to Ireland will also be required to carry a Green Card.
Some insurance companies have begun issuing Green Cards to drivers who are currently renewing or signing up to new insurance policies. Most insurance companies plan to issue Green Cards in March 2019 in the event of a no deal Brexit.
If you intend to drive in Northern Ireland or Great Britain in late March, you should contact your insurance company to obtain a Green Card before you travel.
Cross border public transport services
The Government is working to minimise any disruption to cross-border bus and rail transport services. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
Mobile phones & roaming
In the event of no deal, mobile operators would no longer be legally required to offer roaming at no additional charge to customers travelling to the UK when they exit the EU. That is a commercial decision for mobile operators.
However, Government has liaised with the industry on this issue and providers here have indicated that no major changes in pricing are expected in the immediate period following the UK leaving the EU. Either way, all operators must make customers well aware of any roaming charges they could incur, if and when, they use mobile devices in the UK. If you have any concerns, you should contact your provider directly.
ComReg, the independent telecoms regulator, will continue to ensure that all providers meet relevant obligations in areas such as roaming alerts. ComReg also has information for customers in relation to roaming on their website, including tips on how to avoid inadvertent roaming.
Travelling with pets
After the UK leaves the EU, rules for pet travel between Ireland and the UK will change.
You should contact your vet as soon as possible before your travel date to start making the necessary arrangements in good time.
The UK Government has indicated that pet travel rules for entry into the UK may not change for some time after Brexit, but you must check with the UK authorities for the latest information.
This notice only concerns pet dogs, cats and ferrets travelling between Ireland and Great Britain.
Click here to return to the Brexit and You page.