Check current flight, airport, entry, border and travel warning information that could affect a trip to Ireland.
Ireland Status
NORMAL
Travel to Ireland is operating normally overall, with international flights, airports, immigration services and cross-border travel functioning. No significant current nationwide disruption has been identified that is likely to affect an ordinary trip.
Current Travel Conditions
What Travellers Should Know
Ireland is not in Schengen
Ireland is a member of the European Union but is not part of the Schengen Area. Ireland therefore operates its own immigration and visa system.
Schengen visas
A Schengen visa does not automatically give a traveller permission to enter Ireland. Travellers should check whether their nationality requires a separate Irish visa.
Entry/Exit System
The EU Entry/Exit System does not apply when entering Ireland because Ireland does not participate in the Schengen border-free area.
ETIAS
ETIAS will not be required for travel to Ireland. Travellers who later continue from Ireland into a participating Schengen country may be subject to that country’s Schengen entry requirements.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. Travellers crossing from Ireland into Northern Ireland are therefore entering the UK and must meet UK immigration requirements even though there is normally no routine immigration checkpoint at the land border.
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation
Travellers who require a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation may need one before crossing from Ireland into Northern Ireland. Exemptions apply to certain people, including Irish citizens and some legal residents of Ireland.
Common Travel Area
Ireland and the United Kingdom participate in the Common Travel Area. This provides special movement rights for Irish and British citizens, but it does not remove immigration requirements for every foreign visitor.
Passport and identification
Carry appropriate identification and travel documents when travelling between Ireland and Northern Ireland, even though routine border checks are not normally carried out on the land border.
Crime
Ireland is currently at U.S. Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Petty theft and pickpocketing can occur, particularly in busy tourist areas.
Weather
Strong winds, heavy rain and storms can occasionally disrupt flights, ferries, roads and public transport. Travellers should check forecasts when severe weather is expected.
Latest Travel Changes
Normal international travel continues
No significant current nationwide disruption affecting international flights, airports, immigration services or ordinary tourism has been identified.
Earlier aviation disruption resolved
A UK air traffic control technical problem caused cancellations and delays affecting some Irish flights earlier in September. Normal schedules subsequently resumed.
Updated UK-Ireland travel guidance
Current UK travel guidance includes updated information about identification requirements for travel between the UK and Ireland under the Common Travel Area.
Normal security advisory
The current U.S. travel advisory places Ireland at Level 1, advising travellers to exercise normal precautions.
Before You Travel
Check your airline, passport and Irish visa requirements before departure.
Remember that Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area. Do not assume that holding a Schengen visa automatically permits entry into Ireland.
If you plan to visit Northern Ireland during your trip, check the UK’s immigration and Electronic Travel Authorisation requirements separately.
Carry appropriate identification when crossing between Ireland and Northern Ireland even though there is normally no routine immigration checkpoint at the land border.
Check your flight and local weather conditions shortly before departure if severe weather is forecast.
Travel Status is designed to highlight significant changes that could affect a trip. It is not a replacement for official immigration, airline or government advice.