On September 28, new rules came into effect for ferry travel between Ireland and the UK. Despite the Common Travel Area (CTA), British and Irish citizens are now required to present a valid passport or passport card for travel between the two countries.
The changes that took effect this week were announced last month by ferry operators including Irish Ferries and Stena Line, and come in response to shifts in UK Border Force requirements, primarily the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
“From 28 September 2026, all passengers travelling on Irish Ferries services between the Republic of Ireland and Britain must present a valid passport or Irish passport card before boarding. The new passport requirement applies to Irish Ferries’ Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke routes, in both directions,” Irish Ferries said.
The statement noted that the new arrangement applies to all passengers, including Irish and UK citizens.
Stena Line conveyed the same information, adding that the requirement also applies to its Fishguard–Rosslare route.
Other forms of ID, such as driving licences and national identity cards, are no longer being accepted for ferry travel between the two countries.
The UK ETA was introduced in 2023 and has since been fully rolled out, with travellers to the UK from most destinations now requiring an ETA. However, exemptions apply for those with permission to live, work or study in the UK, as well as those with a British or Irish passport.
As a result, the new ferry requirements have been implemented to ensure that carriers can verify exemption from the ETA for British and Irish citizens.
The British government has confirmed that it remains committed to the CTA despite the new passport measures.
In response to a parliamentary question from Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake about the impact on the CTA of the ferry operator passport requirements, Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office Jo White MP said that “no change has been made to the Government’s operation” of the CTA.
“The CTA continues to afford British and Irish citizens the ability to move freely and reside in either jurisdiction and enjoy associated rights and privileges, including the right to work, study, etc,” White said on September 11, adding that British authorities are “committed to maintaining the CTA and preventing abuse of it”.