UK to Ireland ferry passengers asked to show passports for first time in 100 years

The rule will apply to Stena Lines and Irish Ferries routes between the UK and Ireland (Picture: Getty Images)

Those travelling between Ireland and the UK by ferry are being asked to show their passports for the first time in over a century this week, thanks to a new rule.

As of Monday, passports became a requirement for boarding at Holyhead, Fishguard, Pembroke, Dublin and Rosslare ports with operators including Stena Line and Irish Ferries.

Previously, passengers were able to use other forms of ID such as driving licences and national identity cards due to both countries being part of a Common Travel Area (CTA).

This arrangement — dating back to 1922 — between the UK, The Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland allowed citizens to move freely and reside across either jurisdiction while enjoying associated rights and privileges.

But while this law still stands, a number of airlines have brought in passport-only identification in recent years, starting with Ryanair in 2023.

And now, these changes are being introduced by ferry companies too, in an effort to comply with UK Border Force conditions on ‘the accuracy and integrity of passenger data.’

It’s the first time British citizens have had to show passports for ferry crossings in over 100 years (Picture: Getty Images)

Stena Line explained in a statement on its website that ‘all passengers’ would be required to present their passport at check-in following the move, 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,’ it added.

However, the operator confirmed there’d be no change to ID requirements for those travelling on its Northern Ireland services between Belfast and Liverpool, Cairnryan or Heysham. 

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 were less than pleased with the news, including nic_nicthirtynine who commented: ‘Surely that breaches the CTA arrangements.’

‘This was inevitable since Brexit,’ added toniewalsh. ‘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.’

Some passengers are less than pleased (Picture: Getty Images)

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.’

Some online didn’t see the move as such an issue, though.

‘Nothing is changing,’ wrote Instagrammer beaver_diva. ‘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.’

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