Ferry crossings between the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain have long been famously informal — a driving licence was enough to board. That era has ended. Stena Line and Irish Ferries now require a valid passport from every passenger on these routes, whatever their age or nationality, with Irish passport cards also accepted for Irish citizens.
The rule applies to sailings calling at Dublin, Rosslare, Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke, covering both directions of the Irish Sea crossing. Operators say the change brings ferry procedures into line with UK Border Force expectations around the accuracy of passenger data. Anyone turning up at check-in without acceptable ID will be refused travel — no exceptions for regulars who have made the crossing for decades on a driver's licence alone.
Timing is tight. Irish Ferries said the rule would kick in from late September 2026, announced with only weeks' notice. The Irish Foreign Ministry has urged travellers to check their carrier's requirements before setting off, and critics argue the move cuts against the spirit of the Common Travel Area, the long-standing open-border arrangement between the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
There are a couple of bright spots. Stena Line's Northern Ireland services — Belfast to Liverpool, Cairnryan and Heysham — are unaffected, so that corridor keeps its looser rules for now. But non-British, non-Irish travellers should take note of a second requirement: anyone visiting the UK for up to six months may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which also covers Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
The practical fallout is already being felt. Irish passport processing times are long, so travellers who booked on the assumption that other ID would do may struggle to get documents in time. Tour operators report cancellations and complaints, and some holidays are expected to be postponed rather than rescued.
If you have a ferry trip booked between Ireland and Britain, check your paperwork today rather than at the port. And if you're applying for a new passport, build in generous processing time before your sailing date.
