Passport required

[Aidan1150]

From Monday 28 September 2026 all passengers traveling by ferry between Ireland and the UK will have to show a valid passport.

Currently a driving license etc is accepted for travel but the UK Border Force have changed the rules.

Travel between the north of Ireland and the UK remains unaffected.

Full article here.

 

[Barnoe]

And so it should be, It should be like that to travel into N. Ireland too, which is going to get abused now.

 

[SBD]

Schroedinger’s Brexit, simultaneously have a border with, and do not have a border with, the EU…

 

[Deise]

From Monday 28 September 2026 all passengers traveling by ferry between Ireland and the UK will have to show a valid passport.

Currently a driving license etc is accepted for travel but the UK Border Force have changed the rules.

Travel between the north of Ireland and the UK remains unaffected.

Full article here.

Thanks - was not aware

 

[Aidan1150]

And so it should be, It should be like that to travel into N. Ireland too, which is going to get abused now.

I agree, we need to keep an eye on all you Brits sneaking across.

 

[Barnoe]

I agree, we need to keep an eye on all you Brits sneaking across.

Well last few times I've gone from here to Ireland, I've past through NI in the car, just because the ferry was cheaper.
Even sneakier.... my car has an NI reg and its official colour is "Emerald Green"

As long as i keep my gob shut I'm Irish lol

 

[Hairnet600]

thanks for that - travel next week - surprised there wasnt a mention from them that its happening

usually if youre on the airlines or ferry mailing lists you get advance warning but obv not

 

[Berin]

it does say that passengers are not legally required to carry a passport, due to the common travel area agreement so maybe it’s something imposed by Stena.

 

[Moto Bikemad]

Any idea which passport do I need to bring, for the shortest queue.

 

[wessie]

it does say that passengers are not legally required to carry a passport, due to the common travel area agreement so maybe it’s something imposed by Stena.

It has been imposed by the ferry & airline operators:

"Both companies said the change is to ensure compliance with UK Border Force requirements relating to the accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding.
Irish Ferries said the change aligns ferry travel requirements with document checks already carried out by many airlines."

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0826/1589303-irish-ferries/

 

[JJH]

Any idea which passport do I need to bring, for the shortest queue.

Which ones you got? JJH

 

[JJH]

It has been imposed by the ferry & airline operators:

"Both companies said the change is to ensure compliance with UK Border Force requirements relating to the accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding.
Irish Ferries said the change aligns ferry travel requirements with document checks already carried out by many airlines."

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0826/1589303-irish-ferries/

I wonder if ferry companies are being fined like airlines if they bring someone they shouldn’t? JJH

 

[wessie]

I wonder if ferry companies are being fined like airlines if they bring someone they shouldn’t? JJH

potentially, yes

"Airlines and ferry companies that allow someone to board or disembark without proper documentation face higher fines from today."
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0812/1464512-airline-ferry-documentation-fine/

however, as a passport is not a legal requirement in the Common Travel Area it might get tricky to enforce any fine in this context. Ferry check in people are not going to be experts in deciding if a passport is legit and will not have access to the biometric data. All they are doing is recording the printed information matches the reservation.

 

[JJH]

potentially, yes

"Airlines and ferry companies that allow someone to board or disembark without proper documentation face higher fines from today."
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0812/1464512-airline-ferry-documentation-fine/

however, as a passport is not a legal requirement in the Common Travel Area it might get tricky to enforce any fine in this context. Ferry check in people are not going to be experts in deciding if a passport is legit and will not have access to the biometric data. All they are doing is recording the printed information matches the reservation.

But it might save them a fine if the pax has a passport. In the 70s and 80s I became quite familiar with the sealink and B+I. Who remembers them. I do remember the old bill asking Irish people with Irish names for the English version. My father lived in Birmingham and I rediscovered him when I was 17. JJH

 

[brut33]

If I go there on a rubber boat will I have to show my passport?

 

[Wapping]

If I go there on a rubber boat will I have to show my passport?

Millstone, that’s the way to cross.

 

[OMG!!]

As long as i keep my gob shut I'm Irish lol

To Be Sure, To Be Sure! Drive with yer hat on backwards, they wont know if your coming or going!

 

[Mzokk]

If I go there on a rubber boat will I have to show my passport?

Boats are so passe. This is the way to do it!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19388990

 

[Moto Bikemad]

Boats are so passe. This is the way to do it!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19388990

 

[Jazbee]

Last year travelling between Edinburgh and Jersey via LHR I had to use my passport around 4 or 5 times (with my tickets) on the scanning machines to clear security and move between airport areas......in the same country ffs....would not have been possible with my drivers licence