Entry requirements for Ireland: identity card, passport and Northern Ireland

Are you planning a trip to Ireland and wondering what documents to bring? Irish formalities The requirements are simple for a French traveler: a valid identity card or passport is sufficient. However, everything changes if your itinerary also includes Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

This guide summarizes the rules you need to know, based on official French and British information. As conditions can change, always check them before you leave.

Irish formalities in brief

• Valid identity card or passport: both are accepted in the Republic of Ireland.
• No visa is required for a citizen of the European Union.
• The document must remain valid for the entire duration of the stay.
• For Northern Ireland, however, a British passport and ETA are required.
• Regarding currency, you pay in euros in Ireland, but in pounds sterling in Northern Ireland.

Irish entry requirements: identity card or passport?

According to the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, citizens of the European Union enter Ireland with a valid national identity card or passport. They can then stay for up to three months.

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However, please check that your document will remain valid throughout your journey. Some airlines refuse boarding to passengers whose document has expired.

The case of old French identity cards

Identity cards issued to adults between 2004 and 2013 remain valid for five years beyond the date printed on the back. Ireland tolerates this extension, even if it is not indicated on the card. To avoid any inconvenience, the ministry nevertheless recommends travelling with a valid passport. Details can be found in the [document/section/etc.]. travel advice for Ireland.

Ireland formalities: do I need a visa?

No, not for a French or European citizen on a tourist trip. A visa or permit may, however, be required for other nationalities, or for certain purposes such as working or studying.

Furthermore, Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area. Therefore, expect to have your documents checked upon arrival, even if you are coming from France.

Ireland formalities: Is Ireland in the Schengen Area?

No. Ireland has been a member of the European Union since 1973, but it is not part of the Schengen Area. It has chosen to maintain the common travel area that links it to the United Kingdom.

For a French traveler, this changes almost nothing: an identity card or passport is still sufficient. However, your documents will be checked upon arrival, even if you are coming from a Schengen Area country.

For non-European travelers, the difference is more significant. A Schengen visa does not allow entry into Ireland, and an Irish visa does not grant access to the Schengen Area. Therefore, check the rules specific to your nationality before booking.

Finally, the new European systems for controlling non-European travellers, EES and ETIAS, do not apply to Ireland either.

Formalities for Ireland and Northern Ireland: be careful when crossing

This is the most important point if you're visiting the whole island. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. Therefore, it applies British entry rules, even though there are no checks at the land border.

In practical terms, a French traveler needs a passport and an ETA, the British electronic travel authorization, to enter Northern Ireland. The British government specifies that the ETA is also required to cross the border from Ireland. The only exceptions are British and Irish citizens, as well as certain legal residents in Ireland who can prove it.Common Travel Area rules).

The ETA currently costs £20 and is valid for two years. We explain the entire process in our guide. formalities for the United Kingdom.

Car rental between Ireland and Northern Ireland

Crossing the border by car is simple: they drive on the left on both sides. However, check the rental company's terms and conditions before you leave. Some companies have specific rules or fees for crossing the border.

To prepare for this step, consult our tips for rent a car in Ireland. And to choose your steps, see also What to see in Northern Ireland.

Our advice on Irish formalities

• First, check the expiry date of your identity card or passport.
• Next, use your passport if your identity card appears to be expired.
• If you are going to Northern Ireland, take a passport and apply for an ETA for each traveler.
• Also bring euros and pounds sterling, or a bank card with no foreign transaction fees.
• Finally, check the official information just before departure, as the rules change.

For the rest of your preparations, read our guide for plan a trip to Ireland, as well as when to go to Ireland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go to Ireland with an identity card?

Yes. European citizens can enter the Republic of Ireland with a valid national identity card, or with a passport.

Do you need a passport to go to Ireland?

Not for the Republic of Ireland, where an identity card is sufficient. However, it becomes necessary if you travel to Northern Ireland.

Do the formalities for Ireland include an ETA?

No, not for the Republic of Ireland. The ETA is a British authorization: it only applies to the United Kingdom, therefore Northern Ireland.

Do you need an ETA to visit Northern Ireland from Dublin?

Yes, for a French traveler. Even without border checks, an ETA and passport remain mandatory to enter Northern Ireland.

Is Ireland part of the Schengen Area?

No. That's why your documents are checked upon arrival, even if you're coming from another European country.

How long can you stay in Ireland?

A European citizen can stay for up to three months without any special formalities. Beyond that, other conditions apply.

Plan your trip with Brightside Travel

At Brightside Travel, we organize tailor-made trips to both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. We therefore remind you of the formalities at the time of booking, particularly for itineraries that cross the border.

Discover our Tailor-made trips to Ireland and our ideas of road trip in Ireland.

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