If you’re an Irish citizen, you can breathe easy - you don’t need a UK ETA to visit England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement between Ireland and the UK, Irish citizens can continue to travel freely without any extra paperwork.
But things are a little different if you’re an Irish resident who isn’t an Irish or British citizen. Let’s break it down.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new entry requirement for travellers visiting the UK from visa-exempt countries. From 2 April 2025, most EU citizens and non-visa nationals will need an ETA before entering the UK. It’s not a visa - just a pre-travel security check, similar to the U.S. ESTA or Canada’s ETA.
In a word, no. You can travel to the UK without an ETA if you hold an Irish passport. The Common Travel Area (CTA) allows Irish and British citizens to live, work, and travel freely between the two countries.
This includes travel to Northern Ireland, so no ETA is needed if you’re crossing the border from the Republic of Ireland.
If you are a legal resident of Ireland but not an Irish or British citizen, you might need an ETA.
But there’s good news: If you’re travelling to the UK from Ireland, you don’t need an ETA - provided you can prove your residency in Ireland.
You may be asked for proof of residence when entering the UK, so make sure to carry documents like:
If you’re travelling to the UK from another country (not directly from Ireland), you will need an ETA, just like any other non-Irish traveller.
From this date, travellers who need an ETA won’t be allowed to board a flight, ferry, or train to the UK without one.
Applying is simple and can be done online or via a mobile app. Here’s what you’ll need:
Note: Most applications are approved (or declined) within 72 hours (3 days), but it is always best to apply early.
Once approved, a UK ETA is valid for two years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). It allows multiple short trips, so you won’t need to reapply every time if you visit the UK often.
While you don’t need an ETA as an Irish citizen, it’s still wise to consider travel insurance. Missed connections, lost baggage, or a surprise medical bill can quickly ruin a trip. A solid travel insurance policy ensures you’re protected - so you can focus on the adventure, not the stress.
Need a travel insurance quote? Grab one here.
No. Irish citizens do not need an ETA to enter Northern Ireland - whether you’re flying in or just crossing the border from the Republic of Ireland. However, non-Irish citizens residing in Ireland may need an ETA if arriving in Northern Ireland from outside the CTA (e.g., via the UK).
No. Irish citizens of all ages, including children, do not need an ETA to travel to the UK. However, children who are residents of Ireland but not Irish or British citizens may need an ETA unless they qualify for the CTA exemption when travelling from Ireland.
Nope! The ETA isn’t a visa. It’s just a quick pre-travel screening for visa-exempt travellers. If you already need a visa to visit the UK, this doesn’t apply to you.
If your ETA application is refused, you might have to apply for a standard visitor visa instead. Common reasons for rejection include errors in your application or security concerns.
It’s not required, but highly recommended that Irish travellers purchase travel insurance before heading to the UK. Travel insurance can cover things like delayed flights, lost baggage, and unexpected medical emergencies.
We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.