Answers to the most often asked questions when coming to Ireland from Great Britain:
CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL
Will there be delays crossing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with individual clients or groups of 15+?
We do not anticipate any delays in border crossings between Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI), or crossings between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Cross-border bus and rail transport services will continue to be available (further information on Gov.ie).
If we are travelling in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, will we be required to hire two drivers – one for the Republic of Ireland and another for Northern Ireland?
As long as drivers have appropriate licensing and insurance requirements and documentation for both 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 the Republic of Ireland with a NI or GB registered vehicle. For further information for UK license holders about driving in the Republic of Ireland please see:
We use our own drivers – will they be required to get an International Driving Permit(s) for travel in the Republic of Ireland or between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland?
As long as drivers have appropriate licensing, insurance and professional qualification requirements and documentation for both, they will be able to drive in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. For further information for UK license holders driving in the Republic of Ireland please see:
VISA/PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
Will clients need a separate visa and/or are there additional passport requirements to travel to the Republic of Ireland from Great Britain?
British citizens will continue to enjoy the right to travel between Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland thanks to the Common Travel Area. There will be no requirements for separate visas or additional passport requirements; for further information please see https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit. There are no requirements for passport controls in operation for Irish and British citizens travelling between Ireland and the UK: however, many air and sea carriers require a passport as the only valid identification. Immigration authorities may also require valid official photo-identification which shows nationality. Therefore, prior to travel it is important to check that the 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 the Republic of Ireland; for further information please see http://inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/check-irish-visa or http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/inis/pages/irish+short+stay+visa+waiver+programme.
Will clients need a separate visa and/or are there additional passport requirements if travelling to or between both jurisdictions (the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) in either direction?
British citizens will continue to enjoy the right to travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland thanks to the Common Travel Area. There will be no requirements for separate visas or additional passport requirements. For further information please see https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit or https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland/entry-requirements#id.
What is the Common Travel Area of the UK and Ireland?
Under the Common Travel Area (CTA), Irish and British citizens move freely and reside in either jurisdiction and enjoy the associated rights and entitlements including access to employment, healthcare, education, social benefits, and the right to vote in certain elections. The Common Travel Area pre-dates Irish and UK membership to the EU and is not dependent on it.
The Government of Ireland and the UK Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the CTA in all circumstances. Now that the UK has left the EU, both Irish citizens in the UK and UK citizens in Ireland will continue to enjoy these rights. Ireland's reciprocal responsibilities of freedom of movement afforded to other citizens 'to, from and within Ireland' are respected by the UK under the CTA (Article 3). This includes travel to and from Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland.
INSURANCE
Will clients need to have additional/separate insurance policies for travel between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland?
Visitors should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before they travel abroad including for pre-existing medical conditions. European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) will remain valid until the expiry date. This scheme will be replaced by new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). For more information please see https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021 and https://www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card for information. British and Irish citizens will still be entitled to healthcare in each other’s countries under the Common Travel Area agreement.
CUSTOMS/CHECKPOINTS
Will there be additional customs/immigration inspections for clients at airports/ferry ports in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and between the two jurisdictions?
Current customs and immigration practices will continue to apply at airports and ferry ports in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. GB citizens will continue to enjoy the right to travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. There will be no routine immigration controls within the Common Travel Area with none on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland https://gov.uk/guidance/visiting-the-uk-after-brexit.
For specialist groups with equipment (e.g. musical instruments, sports equipment) will there be any additional customs requirements travelling to the Republic of Ireland from Great Britain via air/sea and for travel from Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland (and back to the 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). For more information see: https://www.gov.uk/taking-goods-out-uk-temporarily
Will excise duty apply at airports?
All passengers travelling between the Republic of Ireland and the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) can avail of duty-free prices on alcohol and tobacco products https://www.gov.uk/government/news/duty-free-extended-to-the-eu-from-january-2021.
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 the Republic of Ireland.
FAMILIARISATION TRIPS
FAMs from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland – what are the implications? (Additional checkpoints at point of entry? Cross-border delays? Passport/visa/immigration checks? Customs checks?)
Current practices will continue to apply to FAMs from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland. Current customs and immigration practices will continue to apply at airports and ferry ports in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. 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.
Cross-border FAMs – what are the implications? (Additional checkpoints at point of entry? Cross-border delays? Passport/visa/immigration checks? Customs checks?)
Current practices will continue to apply to cross border fams on the island of Ireland. Current customs and immigration practices will continue to apply at airports and ferry ports in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. 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.
MOBILE PHONES
Will clients 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?
The previous guarantee of free mobile phone roaming has ended. Though some UK mobile operators have stated that they have no current plans to change their mobile roaming policies, others have announced that they will reintroduce charges. More information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-your-mobile-in-eu-and-eea-countries. Please advise your clients to check with their mobile service provider to find out more about roaming charges that may be in place before travelling.