Brexit Key Messages

From 1 January 2021, you may be wondering how Brexit may affect your travel plans to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

After the transition period ends on 31st December, there will be changes which are likely to affect how you plan your trip. There may be extra steps you will need to take to ensure your visit is enjoyable, smooth and hassle-free including arranging adequate travel insurance, driving documentation, pet travel and using your mobile phone while overseas.

We also recommend that you continue to check how your plans to visit Northern Ireland will be affected by the latest coronavirus advice.

Regardless of the type of UK-EU agreement that is finalised, the Common Travel Area will be maintained for British citizens.  Established in 1923, this arrangement allows citizens of Great Britain and Ireland to travel between the two islands without a passport or visa restrictions*.

* some air and sea carriers may require passports as photo ID.

Select one of the following for more information:

• British citizens travelling directly to Northern Ireland
• EU resident travelling to Northern Ireland
• British citizens travelling between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
   

British citizens travelling directly to Northern Ireland

If you are travelling from Great Britain directly to Northern Ireland, and remaining there for the duration of your visit, Brexit should not affect your travel plans.

EU resident travelling to Northern Ireland

If you are an EU resident travelling to Northern Ireland, or between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, there may be some changes that affect your travel plans. We’ve provided answers to the most common travel questions below, to help you have a safe and comfortable trip. For the most up-to-date information on visiting Northern Ireland after Brexit visit Gov.uk.

How will the following be affected from 1st January 2021 and what will I need to do?

To jump directly to your query, click on one of the links below.

COVID-19
Visa and Passport
Cross-Border Travel
Insurance
Travelling with a Pet
Mobile Phone Roaming

COVID-19

Latest Covid-19 restrictions?

You can find the latest official coronavirus travel advice here.

Visa and Passport

Visa and Passport requirements?

If you are visiting Northern Ireland you will need to bring your passport with you. You can continue to use your National ID card to enter the Republic of Ireland. 

If someone from Europe e.g. Germany travels in to Republic of Ireland and then on to Northern Ireland will they have to show passport evidence?

There will be no immigration control points between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, while the traveller may not have to present their passport they should carry it while travelling within Northern Ireland.

Cross-border queries

Cross-border travel

We do not anticipate any delays in border crossings between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in either direction. Nor do we expect immigration controls.

Can someone from Europe e.g. Germany get on a bus in Dublin and travel to Northern Ireland unrestricted?

Assuming it is a German national though they should be able to enter under deemed leave provision.

Insurance 

Health insurance?

Your EHIC card will ensure health cover in the Republic but if visiting Northern Ireland, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance with healthcare cover. 

If someone from Europe e.g. Germany travels into Republic of Ireland with their EHIC and then travels in to Northern Ireland, will their health card be recognised?

The UK will not be part of EHIC scheme after the transition period ends.

Will EU nationals need health insurance to travel anywhere else in the UK i.e. on to GB?

Tourists are not required to have Health Insurance but it is recommended they do.

Car insurance and driving documentation?

If you have a valid EU driving licence you will be able to use this as before in the Republic of Ireland but you will need to check if you have the correct driving licence and insurance documentation requirements to drive in Northern Ireland, especially if you plan to travel between both. If renting a car always check in advance for any additional requirements from the car rental company. For more information click here

Can I rent a car in Northern Ireland and travel to the Republic of Ireland, or vice versa?

Yes, if renting a car in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, provided you have recognised license and insurance documentation for both, you will be able to drive in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

Travelling with a Pet

If someone from Europe, e.g. Germany, travels with a pet in to Republic of Ireland can they then travel onwards in to Northern Ireland with the pet?  Are there new rules for this movement? What if they them wanted to travel on to GB?

During the transition period although the UK ceases to be an EU member, the relationship will remain the same and it will continue to follow the EU's rules for pet travel. Please refer to the following for pet guidance.

Mobile Phone Roaming

If someone from an EU country travels to Republic of Ireland they will enjoy free roaming charges, but will they be charged to roam if they visit Northern Ireland (i.e. anyone not on a UK network)? 

Visitors are advised to check with their mobile service provider to find out more about roaming charges that may be in place.

British citizens travelling between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

If you are travelling from Great Britain directly to Northern Ireland, and remaining there for the duration of your visit, Brexit should not affect your travel plans.

If you are a British citizen travelling to the Republic of Ireland, or between the Republic of Ireland and the Northern, there may be some changes that affect your travel plans. We’ve provided answers to the most common travel questions below, to help you have a safe and comfortable trip.

Regardless of the finalised Brexit agreement, the Common Travel Area will be maintained. Established in 1923, this arrangement allows citizens of Great Britain and Ireland to travel between the two islands without a passport or visa restrictions. However, some air and sea carriers may still require a passport as their only form of accepted photo identification. We recommend checking the documentation requirements of your travel carrier.

For the most up-to-date information on visiting Northern Ireland after Brexit visit Gov.uk.

How will the following be affected from 1st January 2021 and what will I need to do?

To jump directly to your query, click on one of the links below.

COVID-19
Visa and Passports
Cross Border Queries
Insurance
Driving and Public Transport
Customs and Checkpoints
Travelling with a Pet
Mobile Phone Roaming

COVID-19

Latest Covid-19 restrictions

You can find the latest official coronavirus travel advice here.

Visa and Passports

Visa and passport requirements?
For visitors from Great Britain, the Common Travel Area will continue after the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 regardless of the type of UK-EU arrangement that is finalised. This is an agreement which has been in place since 1923 that allows British and Irish citizens to travel between the two islands without a passport and without visa restrictions. However, some carriers may still require a passport as valid photo-ID so always check with your travel provider.

If I travel from GB to Northern Ireland, will I need a separate visa and/or additional passport requirements to travel from Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland?

British citizens will continue to enjoy the right to travel between UK and the Republic of Ireland.  There will be no requirements for separate visas or additional passport requirements.  For further information please see Gov.uk. 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 after the end of the transition period.  However, it is the case that many 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 valid official photo-identification, which shows nationality.  Therefore, check passport is valid and in date. For journeys on the island of Ireland, British and Irish citizens do not require any travel documents when crossing the land border. Non-EEA nationals should be in possession of a valid travel document and, if required, an Irish entry visa or transit visa for Republic of Ireland  visit here for more information.

Will visitors need a separate visa and/or additional passport requirements if travelling between both jurisdictions (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland)?

British citizens will continue to enjoy the right to travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  There will be no requirements for separate visas or additional passport requirements.  For further information please see Gov.uk

Cross Border Queries

Will there be delays crossing the border between Northern Ireland (NI) & the Republic of Ireland (ROI)? How much time will it take a group of 15+ to cross the border?

We do not anticipate any delays in border crossings between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, or crossings between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Will visitors travelling by coach have to change coaches crossing the border from Republic Of Ireland into Northern Ireland and vice versa?

Visitors travelling by coach will not have to change coaches crossing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland or crossing the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Can drivers/chauffeurs carry visitors between Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland?

As long as drivers have appropriate licencing and insurance documentation, they will be able to drive in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This includes a Green card requirement for driving from Northern Ireland to Republic of Ireland. For more information visit Gov.uk 

Insurance

Health insurance?

Check that you have appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover as there may be changes to the current EHIC card scheme after 31 December 2020. See Gov.uk for more information.

Will visitors need to have additional/separate insurance policies for travel between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland? Or between GB and Republic of Ireland?

Visitors should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before they travel abroad.  Visitors should consult with their insurance provider before travelling.

Car insurance and driving documentation?

Check you have the correct driving licensing and insurance documentation requirements to drive in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, especially if you plan to travel between both. If renting a car always check in advance for any additional requirements from the car rental company. For more information see Gov.uk and Car Rental Council of Ireland. 

Will a UK licence be valid for travel in the Republic of Ireland & will an EU licence be valid for travel in Northern Ireland?

Visitors from the UK, with valid UK driving licences, will enjoy the same reciprocal arrangements. For further information see Gov.uk

Will visitors need additional/separate vehicle insurance if driving in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and if travelling between both jurisdictions?

Green Cards are internationally recognised insurance documents, which act as proof of motor insurance when travelling internationally. A Green Card will be required for vehicles traveling from UK including NI to Ireland or other EU member states.  For further information see Gov.uk

Driving and Public Transport
 

Can visitors still bring their own vehicles to Northern Ireland when on holiday?

Yes, visitors from GB to Northern Ireland can bring and travel in their own vehicle.

Will visitors be able to rent a car in the Republic of Ireland with their UK driving licence? Will visitors from Republic of Ireland be able to rent a car in Northern Ireland? If visitors rent a car in the Republic of Ireland will they be able to travel to Northern Ireland?  If visitors rent a car in Northern Ireland will they be able to travel to the Republic of Ireland?

Yes, if renting a car in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, visitors will be able to drive in both jurisdictions provided they have recognised licence and insurance documentation. For further information see Gov.uk

For visitors wishing to use public train transport, will they have changes in travel between Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland?

All the necessary arrangements are in place to ensure continuity of rail passenger services, in association with the relevant regulatory authorities and in full compliance with the legal requirements applicable in both the European Union and the United Kingdom. The operations of the Dublin-Belfast Enterprise Service should continue unaffected after the end of the transition period.

For visitors wishing to use public bus transport, will they have changes in travel between Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland?

In the event that no agreement is reached between the EU and the UK, and the UK does not accede to the Interbus Protocol before 31 December 2020, arrangements will be sought under the EU Contingency Regulation to facilitate appropriate levels of cross border bus services post-transition.

On arrival in Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland, can I travel unhindered into GB?

There will be no additional immigration checks between Northern Ireland and GB.

Customs and Checkpoints

Will I be required to pass through customs checks if entering Northern Ireland by road or rail?

There will be no formal border checks for customs between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

Will I be required to show a passport when entering Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland?

British citizens will continue to enjoy the right to travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  There will be no requirements for separate visas or additional passport requirements.  For further information see Gov.uk

Will there be additional customs/immigration inspections for clients at airports/ferry ports in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland? 

Current customs and immigration practices will continue to apply at airports and ferry ports in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. They should however carry proof of identity.

For visitors with equipment (e.g. musical instruments, sports equipment) will there be any additional customs requirements travelling to Republic of Ireland from GB via air/sea and for travel from Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland (and back to Republic of Ireland)?

Current customs and immigration practices will continue to apply for those travelling with equipment from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland via air/sea and for travel from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland (and back to the Republic of Ireland).

Will excise duty apply at airports?

Once the UK becomes a third country at the end of the transition period, excise duty will be incurred when excisable goods such as alcoholic beverages or tobacco are imported into the EU from the UK. As a third country, a Duty Free and VAT Retail Export Scheme may also operate between Ireland and the UK (excluding Northern Ireland).  For further information see Gov.uk

Are there cost limits on retail purchases made within Northern Ireland and returning with these purchases into the Republic of Ireland?

There will be no limit on retail purchases between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

Travelling with a Pet

Can visitors arriving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland travel to the Republic of Ireland with their pet?

After Brexit you will not be able to use the existing pet passport scheme.  Contact your vet as soon as possible before your travel date to start making the necessary travel arrangements in good time.  For further information on travelling with your pet please see Gov.uk

Mobile Phone Roaming

Will visitors be subject to additional data roaming fees if travelling from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland, or if travelling cross border, Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland and/or the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland?

From January 2021, the guarantee of free mobile phone roaming throughout the EU will end.  UK mobile operators have indicated their intention not to reintroduce mobile roaming charges after the end of the transition period. Visitors are advised to check with their mobile service provider to find out more about roaming charges that may be in place.