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British Citizens in Ireland
If you’re a British citizen in Ireland you're covered by the Common Travel Area (CTA), which is an open borders area comprising the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.
The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union will not affect the rights of Irish citizens and UK citizens within the CTA. The right to live, work and access public services in the Common Travel Area will be protected, regardless of the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.
You are not required to take any action to protect your status or rights associated with the CTA. You can continue to travel freely within the CTA without seeking immigration permission from the authorities. British citizens in Ireland will also continue to have the same associated rights and entitlements to public services, including access to employment, healthcare, education, social welfare and benefits, as well as the right to vote in certain elections.
The Common Travel Area means that there are no passport controls in operation for Irish and UK citizens travelling between the 2 countries. You do not need to have a passport to enter the other country. However, all air and sea carriers require some form of identification and some regard a passport as the only valid identification. Immigration authorities may also require you to have valid official photo-identification which shows your nationality. As you are being asked to prove that you are an Irish or UK citizen who is entitled to avail of the Common Travel Area arrangements, it is advisable to travel with your passport.
This article was last revised 30 January 2019
