Ireland Entry Guide 2026

The **Common Travel Area** allows British citizens to live, work, and study in Ireland without any visa or residency permit.

• No Passport Control (Land): There are no passport checks when crossing the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
• Passport Control (Air/Sea): While no visa is needed, airlines or ferry companies will require a valid passport or an acceptable form of photo ID.
• Post-Brexit: The CTA rights remain unchanged after Brexit, and British citizens are NOT treated as "Third Country Nationals" in Ireland.

British citizens have an automatic right to work in any occupation in Ireland.

• Employment: You do not need an Employment Permit or a Green Card to work in Ireland.
• PPS Number: To work and pay tax, you must apply for a **Personal Public Service (PPS)** number after you arrive.
• Welfare & Healthcare: You have equal access to Irish social security, healthcare, and public services as Irish citizens.

British students studying in Ireland are treated the same as Irish/EU students for fee purposes.

• Student Contribution: For 2026, the annual student contribution fee is capped at **€2,500** for eligible CTA students.
• No Student Visa: You do not need to register with immigration (GNIB/IRP) as a student.

If you are a British citizen moving with a **Non-EU spouse or partner**, they WILL require a visa or residency card.

• Pre-clearance: Non-EU family members must typically apply for pre-clearance or a Join Family visa before traveling.
• EU Treaty Rights: Since the UK is no longer in the EU, these rights do not apply; instead, Irish national immigration rules must be followed.