Passports and Identification

Ireland/Britain Routes

Irish Ferries recommend all passengers bring a passport with them.  Irish and British citizens do not strictly require a passport to travel between the two countries – some form of identification is however required.

If the UK leaves the EU with no deal, the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements are protected, and Irish Ferries current advice continues to apply.  

Please note that all nationalities except Irish or British require passports, and they should also check with the British or Irish embassy before travelling as they may need a visa. Passengers who arrive at our ports without valid documentation may not be allowed to enter either Ireland or Britain.  Useful means of identification when travelling on these routes are:

• Passport
• Driving Licence
• European identity Card
• Bank cards
• Photo ID (school or college)
• Utility Bills
• Birth Certificate

Ireland/France Routes

It is compulsory for all passengers (including babies) to have their own valid passport or officially recognised European Union I.D. card when travelling to and from France or Ireland. In some cases a visa may also be required. If you are driving a vehicle you will also need a valid driving licence.

It is responsibility of each passenger, parent, guardian or group leader to ensure that the documentation is valid and readily available for inspection at check-in. Irish Ferries accept no liability in this regard - the onus is on the passenger to ensure that the documentation is correct.

Non-EU nationals should check with the French Embassy or with the Irish Embassy before travelling as they may need a visa as well as a passport. A visa can take several weeks to obtain so please make the necessary arrangements well ahead of your travel date.

Passengers who turn up at our ports without a valid passport or an officially recognised European Union ID card (and a visa if required) will not be allowed to enter either France or Ireland.

Drivers of vehicles must carry and be able to produce a valid driving licence, failure to do so may prevent entry into Ireland or France.

Pre-departure boarding of an Irish Ferries vessel is conditional on the passenger(s) being in possession of valid documentation to comply with the immigration laws of the country of destination. This is the personal responsibility of the passenger. Irish Ferries shall also be entitled to recover from the passenger(s) all fines and/or other costs incurred on it by reason of the passenger's failure to produce immigration documentation satisfactory to the relevant authorities.

For more specific information see:

www.dfa.ie
british embassy
www.ambafrance.org
www.embassyofireland.fr