Ireland is one of the European countries that have taken measures to reduce if not eliminate the importation and spread of the Covid-19 virus. Every passenger traveling by land, sea, or air must meet certain requirements before being permitted entry or transit.
Even much so, the government and health officials are tightening up their measures after a cyberattack on the country’s department of health on Sunday 16th May 2021. As a result, nationals from countries who were hitherto allowed entry without visas; Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Guyana, Paraguay, South Africa, and Uruguay will now require visas to enter or transit.
Then again, nationals of the following countries who currently require a visa, but do not require a transit visa, will now require either a visa or a transit visa with immediate effect: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Suriname.
Exemptions to the visa restrictions:
- Irish residents who are in possession of their physical Irish residence permit.
- Family members of European Citizens, who are in possession of a residence card issued under Article 10 or Article 20 of Directive 2004/38/EC and are joining or accompanying their European family member. Please note that residence cards issued by the United Kingdom do not exempt from Irish visa requirements.
- Airline Crew members arriving into the State in the course of their duties.
- Seafarers seeking entry to the State to embark or disembark from a vessel or transiting the State for this purpose. Such seafarers must be in possession of a Seaman’s book issued under ILO 108 or ILO185.
- A person exempted for any other reason under S.I. 473/2014
Do you need a PCR test to enter Ireland?
With regards to the Covid- 19 testing requirements in Ireland, all passengers arriving in Ireland will require a negative COVID‑19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. There are, however, exemptions
- Holders of a valid Annex 3 certificate, drivers of heavy goods vehicles, airline pilots, aircrew, maritime masters, or maritime crew.
- Passengers traveling to the state pursuant to an arrest warrant, extradition proceedings, or other mandatory legal obligation
- Members of An Garda Síochána or Defence Forces and traveling to the state in the course of their duties
- Passengers traveling to the state in circumstances where for specific and very exceptional reasons it was impossible to take a COVID‑19 RT‑PCR test before traveling and the passenger has written confirmation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs that they have urgent humanitarian reasons for traveling
- Passengers 6 years old and below
- Transit passengers
- Passengers who have been outside of the state to provide services or perform the functions of an officeholder (under any enactment or the constitution) or a member of either house of the Oireachtas or the European Parliament
- Passengers traveling to the state for unavoidable, imperative, and time‑sensitive medical reasons certified by a registered medical practitioner or person with equivalent qualifications outside the state.
Again, Passengers arriving in Ireland from overseas, including Irish citizens, must complete a COVID‑19 Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before their arrival.
Quarantine restrictions in Ireland
From 16 April 2021, quarantine exemptions for fully vaccinated passengers as well as families or individuals traveling with newborn babies no older than four weeks and essential workers are applicable. Passengers in this category will not be required to enter mandatory hotel quarantine and are not subject to the requirement to present evidence of pre‑booking their quarantine to be accepted on flights.
Which countries are banned from entering Ireland
Ireland has not banned or denied any country entry but there are strict measures every passenger must follow including its nationals.
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