readThis information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the CommonIrish Travelauthorities. AreaThe GuidanceForeign, toCommonwealth understand& whatDevelopment itOffice covers(FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
YouFollow shouldfollowthe advice of the Irish Governmentgovernment and your local authority. You canshould also read ourthe Ireland travel adviceforourlatestguidance..
For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in IrelandIreland, seeread our coronavirus travel advice.
UK citizensnationals do not need a visa or residency permit to live, work or study in Ireland. UnderWithin the Common Travel Area (CTA),), UKBritish and Irish citizens can live and work freely in each other’s countries and travel freely between them. Both the UK and Irish governments are committed to protecting the CTA. Read ourguidance on the CTA.
If mustyou havewere atliving least6monthsleftonanadultorchildpassporttotraveltomostcountriesin EuropeIreland (notbefore including1 travelJanuary betweentheUKandIreland).2021
If you renewedwere yourliving currentin passportIreland before the1 previousJanuary one2021, expired,extramonthsmayhavebeenaddedtoitsexpirydate.Anyextramonthsonyourpassportover10yearsmaynotcounttowardsthe6monthsneeded.
DifferentTo rulestravel willfrom applyIreland to other EU countriescountries, thatSwitzerland, areNorway, notIceland partand ofLiechtenstein, thecheck Schengenvisiting area.the CheckEU and each country’s travel advice page for informationfurther onentryrequirements.information.
Under the CTA, UKif citizensyou wholive in Ireland haveyou thecan righttoaccess healthcare inthere. Ireland.If Whenvisiting, UKyou citizensalso have the right to access medically necessary healthcare.
You may need to pay a fee to access public healthcare in Ireland on the same basis as Irish citizens. However, you may be eligible for a means tested medical card. If you do not qualify for a medical card on income grounds, you may qualify for a GP Visit card.
You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if you live in Ireland and get an exportable UK pension,State Pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit. You willusually need to show some evidence of your entitlement to healthcare in Ireland, such as proof of property rental or ownership. If eligible, you’ll need a medical card that entitles you to receive certain health services free of charge.
If you hadwere yourliving qualificationsin recognisedIreland bytherelevantregulatorbefore 1 January 2021,2021
If thereyou willlive bein noIreland changeand youwere canregularly continuecommuting to practisework in Irelandanother EU or elsewhereEuropean inFree theTrade EU.
You competentmay authorityneed forto thatget professionyour inprofessional Irelandqualification torecognised findoutif you needwant to takework anyin action.a profession that is regulated in Ireland.
National insurance and social security contributions
If you are living in or working in Ireland, working in both the UK and Ireland, or working across the border, you are subject to only one state’scountry’s social security legislation at a time. This means you only pay social security contributions into one country’s scheme at a time.
You can access social security benefits from whichever statecountry you are subject to the social security legislation of, regardless of where you live. You have the right to access social security benefits on the same basis as citizens of the country you are living.in.
If you arelive livinginor workingwork in Ireland, workingwork in both the UK and Ireland, or workingwork across the border, you are subject to only one1 state’scountry’s social security legislation at a time. This means you can access socialyour securitypension benefitsfrom whichever statecountry you are subject to the social security legislation of, regardless of where you areliving.live.
UK bank cards are widely accepted for determiningtransactions habitualin residenceIreland.
Whether thenUK youbanks maycan beprovide eligibleservices to claimcustomers someliving Irishin socialthe securityEEA benefits.depends on local laws and regulation.
You accesscannot torenew socialor securityreplace benefitsyour andUK, entitlementsGibraltar, continueJersey, toGuernsey beor protected.Isle of Man licence if you live in Ireland.
Driving
Read the guidance on what you must do to drive legally in IrelandIreland:
UponIf reachingyou votingare ageold enough to vote, you can register with the relevant authorities to vote in local and national parliamentary elections.
YouIf you have a pet passport issued by Ireland or another EU country, you can dialuse it to travel with your pet to Great Britain, Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the EU. Ensure that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel. Vets in Great Britain cannot enter rabies vaccination details in non-UK issued pet passports.
A GB-issued EU pet passport is not valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. Speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents and ensure you comply with EU pet travel regulations.
If you enter Ireland from a non-EU country, you must complete an advance notice form stating your intention to bring your pet into Ireland. You must send the form to the Irish authorities at least 1 working day before you travel. You must also arrange in advance to have a compliance check carried out on arrival. You must not leave the airport or port before compliance checks are carried out.
travelling with your pet in the EU
Before you travel, check the rules for the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements.
If you are the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisiscrisis, abroad,contact yourthe nearestBritish embassyEmbassy orconsulateDublin.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax,bringing accessfamily tomembers, servicestax and bringingaccess familyto members.services.
Published 14 May 2013
Last updated 58 FebruaryDecember 2021
+ show all updates
Guide reviewed and updated with new information, including in the sections on driving and pets.
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines
Updated as the transition period ends
24 January 2020
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2 October 2019
Brexit update: new information about exchanging UK driving licences and motor insurance in the ´driving section.´ Updates in the ´visa and residency´ and ´working in Ireland´ section.
17 June 2019
EU Exit update: added information on travel in EU, EEA and EFTA countries in the event of a no deal exit.
15 April 2019
EU Exit update: added in new information in passports and travel and returning to the UK sections
10 April 2019
EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections
13 March 2019
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
27 February 2019
EU Exit update: updated the Common Travel Area guidance and advice on driving in Ireland
22 February 2019
EU Exit update: Updated information on passports. You must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip.
14 February 2019
EU Exit update: Latest message from the British Ambassador to Ireland on the Common Travel Area added to the EU Exit section
29 January 2019
EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare
18 January 2019
EU exit update - updated information on pensions and passports
10 December 2018
EU Exit update: We have added information about the Common Travel Area under the Visas and Residency and Working in Ireland sections.
28 November 2018
EU exit update: Added in link to information about the Common Travel Area and citizens rights.
22 November 2018
EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.
7 March 2018
All content has been revised to ensure it's accurate and up to date.