Passport required for Ireland-Britain ferries

Ferry passengers travelling between Ireland and Britain will be required to present a valid passport starting September 28, 2026, as ferry operators implement new rules mandated by the UK Border Force. The change, announced by Irish Ferries and Stena Line on August 26, 2026, ends the long-standing practice of accepting alternative forms of identification, such as driving licences or national identity cards, on certain Irish Sea routes. The new requirement applies to all passengers, regardless of age or nationality, including Irish and British citizens. It specifically affects routes between the Republic of Ireland and Britain. For Stena Line, this includes the Dublin to Holyhead and Rosslare to Fishguard crossings. For Irish Ferries, it covers the Dublin to Holyhead and Rosslare to Pembroke routes. The operators confirmed that routes between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, such as Stena Line's Belfast, Liverpool, Cairnryan, and Heysham services, will not be affected by the change. The rule change is being introduced to comply with UK Border Force requirements concerning the accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding.