Ferry passengers to require passport for UK travel from next month
Passengers travelling between Ireland and the UK with Irish Ferries and Stena Line will be required to carry their passports from next month.
Irish Ferries said the rule change will apply to passengers on their Dublin to Holyhead and Rosslare to Pembroke routes from 28 September.
While Stena Line said its passengers will have to show their passports on their Dublin to Holyhead and Rosslare to Fishguard crossings.
Currently, passengers are not always asked to show a passport but have sometimes been required to have another form of photo ID such as driving licences and national identity cards.
However, these will no longer be accepted for travel on these routes.
Both companies said the change is to ensure compliance with UK Border Force requirements relating to the accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding.
Irish Ferries said the change aligns ferry travel requirements with document checks already carried out by many airlines.
Stena Line said all passengers will have to show their passports or passport cards, regardless of age or nationality.
Both said customers with existing bookings will be notified to support them during the change of operations.
Under the Common Travel Area arrangement, Irish and British citizens do not legally require a passport to travel between Ireland and the UK.
However, certain airlines have required a passport for boarding.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and British Home Office have been contacted for comment.