Ferry passengers travelling between the UK and Ireland are now required to show passports for the first time in over a century, following a new rule that came into effect on Monday.
The requirement applies to boarding at Holyhead, Fishguard, Pembroke, Dublin and Rosslare ports, with operators including Stena Line and Irish Ferries enforcing the change. Previously, passengers could use other forms of identification such as driving licences and national identity cards because both countries are part of the Common Travel Area (CTA).
Common Travel Area rules change
The CTA arrangement, which dates back to 1922, allows citizens of the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland to move freely and reside across either jurisdiction while enjoying associated rights and privileges. Although the law still stands, several airlines have introduced passport-only identification in recent years, starting with Ryanair in 2023.
Ferry companies are now introducing similar changes to comply with UK Border Force conditions on 'the accuracy and integrity of passenger data'. Stena Line said in a statement on its website that 'all passengers' would be required to present their passport at check-in, regardless of age or nationality, but that Irish citizens will be able to use passport cards.
'Unfortunately you will be unable to travel if you cannot present your passport,' the operator added. However, Stena Line confirmed there would be no change to ID requirements for its Northern Ireland services between Belfast and Liverpool, Cairnryan or Heysham.
Reaction to the new passport rule
In a post on Instagram, the Irish Foreign Ministry advised: 'Travellers should check the requirements of their carrier before travel and ensure they have the necessary documentation with them.'
Some passengers expressed displeasure with the news. Instagram user nic_nicthirtynine commented: 'Surely that breaches the CTA arrangements.' Another user, toniewalsh, added: 'This was inevitable since Brexit. RIP CTA.' Similar sentiments were shared on an unofficial Stena Line Facebook group, with Matthew Campbell writing: 'I just personally think it's inconsiderate especially with how long the passport waiting list is from Ireland.'
According to the BBC, one tour operator has already received cancellations because of the ferry firms' new policy. Elfyn Thomas, who organises bus trips between Wales and Ireland, told Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast: 'What's been unfair to travellers is that these new guidelines were published a month ago, and they should have been published three or six months ago to give people the chance to get a passport. Some of our customers have pulled out of trips because they didn't have a passport, including older people who don't travel often — that's going to be a loss for us and other companies.'
However, some online did not see the move as an issue. Instagram user beaver_diva wrote: 'Nothing is changing. You just need to remember your passport as ID. No visa, no extra fee. It's as you were but passport is the required id now rather than just a driver's license or equivalent.' Facebook user HumbleKale9927 added: 'This should have been put in place along time ago! When you leave any country to visit another you need your passport, what makes visiting Ireland different? The rules are the same everywhere else.'
