Brexit Key Messages

You may be wondering how Brexit may affect your travel plans between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

There may be some extra steps needed to ensure your visit to Northern Ireland 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.

The UK’s withdrawal from the EU has not affected the rights of British citizens under the Common Travel Area agreement. 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 a passport 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, see Gov.uk. 

If you are travelling to Northern Ireland (and/or the UK) from the Republic of Ireland, please see this information on Gov.uk. 

How might the following be affected and what do 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

COVID-19 restrictions on travel are no longer in place. You can find the latest official coronavirus travel advice here.

Visa and Passport

Visa and Passport requirements?

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

If someone from Europe e.g. Germany travels to the 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 around 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 they should be able to enter under deemed leave provision, which ensures that there are no routine immigration controls on visitors arriving to the UK from the Common Travel Area.

Insurance 

Do I need health insurance?

Your EHIC card will ensure health cover in the Republic but does not ensure health cover in Northern Ireland. You should therefore ensure you have adequate travel insurance, with healthcare cover, if you are visiting Northern Ireland. 

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

As the UK is no longer part of the EHIC scheme, EHIC cards are valid in the Republic of Ireland only. Visitors should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before they travel abroad. Visitors should consult with their insurance provider before travelling. 

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

While tourists are not required to take out health insurance in order to visit the UK, the government recommends that they do.

What about car insurance and driving documentation?

If you have a valid EU driving licence you will be able to use it as before in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, you will need to check that you have the correct insurance documentation requirements in place, especially if you plan to travel between jurisdictions. If renting a car always check in advance for any additional requirements from the car rental company. 

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

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

Travelling with a Pet

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

Northern Ireland remains part of the EU Pet Travel Scheme, and therefore follows the EU's rules for pet travel. Please refer to the following pet guidance. If you plan to travel with your pet, please refer to these websites for further information gov.ie or gov.uk

Mobile Phone Roaming

If someone from an EU country travels to the Republic of Ireland they will enjoy free roaming charges, but will they be charged to roam if they visit Northern Ireland and are not on a UK network? 

Visitors are advised to check with their mobile service provider in regard to any 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 will remain 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 Northern 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.

The Common Travel Area agreement guarantees there will be no changes to the rights of British citizens in Ireland or Irish citizens in the UK as a result of Brexit. The CTA allows citizens of Great Britain and Ireland to travel between the two islands without a passport or visa. 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 visit Gov.uk.

How might the following be affected, and what do 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

COVID-19 restrictions on travel are no longer in place. 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 ensures that British and Irish citizens can travel between the two islands without a passport or visa restrictions. Note, however, that 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 Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland?

British citizens will continue to enjoy the right to travel between UK and the Republic of Ireland without the need for a visa 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.  However, all air and sea carriers require some form of identification, with many regarding a passport as the only valid identification. 

Immigration authorities may also require valid official photo-identification, which shows nationality.  Therefore, visitors should check that their 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 - that is the 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 and the Republic of Ireland? 

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

Will visitors travelling by coach have to change coaches crossing the border from the 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. For more information visit Gov.uk 

Insurance

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

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

Will a UK licence be valid for travel in the Republic of Ireland?

A visitor from the UK who holds a UK driving licence will be able to drive in the Republic of Ireland using their licence, provided the licence is valid. 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?

From 2 August 2021, vehicles registered in the UK (including Northern Ireland) will no longer require a Green Card if they are driven in the Republic of Ireland or any other part of the EU. Irish drivers visiting NI will need to be able to demonstrate adequate proof of motor insurance, in accordance with UK law, using either a windscreen ‘disc’ issued by the motor insurer, or through legally valid insurance documentation. 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 the 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?

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 bus or train transport, will there be any changes in travel between Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland?

Cross-border bus and rail services continue to operate as normal.

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 are no formal border checks for customs between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

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

British citizens continue to enjoy the right to travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with no requirements for a visa or additional passport requirements.  For further information see Gov.uk

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

Customs and immigration practices for travellers arriving at airports and ferry ports in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland remain unchanged. Travellers should, however, ensure they carry valid proof of identity and note that many air and sea carriers require travellers to carry a passport.

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)?

Customs practices are as before 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?

As the UK is now considered a "third country", excise duty will be incurred when excisable goods such as alcoholic beverages or tobacco are imported into the EU from the UK. A Duty Free Scheme is in operation 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 are no limits 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?

On 1 January 2021 Great Britain became a ‘third country’ for the purposes of pet travel, and is therefore no longer a member of the EU Pet Travel Scheme. You can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland. You can still use a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland. There are additional documentary requirements, health preparations and checks for travelling with a pet from GB to NI. For further information on travelling with your pet, please see gov.uk and ni.gov.uk  

On 15 September 2021, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA announced that checks on all pets travelling from GB to NI would be suspended indefinitely while negotiations between the UK government and EU continue. Please see gov.uk and ni.gov.uk for more information.

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?

Since January 2021 several UK operators have reintroduced roaming charges for users travelling within the EU, with the exception of travel within the Republic of Ireland, which is exempt. As this situation may change, visitors are advised to check with their mobile service provider to find out more about roaming charges that may be in place.