Karli Trujillo
As of 2024, Irish citizens can travel to a vast number of countries without needing to obtain a visa in advance. The Irish passport is ranked 3rd in the world according to the Henley Passport Index, with visa-free or visa on arrival access to 191 countries and territories. This extensive list of visa-free countries includes popular destinations across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
In Europe, Irish passport holders can travel, live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU member states without a visa due to Ireland's membership in the European Union. This freedom of movement also extends to the Schengen Area, which comprises 26 European countries with open borders. Beyond Europe, Irish citizens can enter countries like the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and many Caribbean nations in the Americas without a visa. In Asia, visa-free countries include Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel. African destinations such as South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, and Kenya are also visa-free for Irish passport holders. Additionally, Australia and New Zealand offer simple online processes for Irish citizens to enter without a visa.
The Irish passport not only provides visa-free access to numerous countries but also offers the convenience of visa-on-arrival or eVisa options for many other destinations. This flexibility allows Irish citizens to explore the world with ease, making it an invaluable asset for globetrotters and remote workers alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries that can be visited visa-free | 156-191 |
| Global ranking of Irish passport | 3rd-14th |
| Countries where Irish citizens can enter with an ID card | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
| Countries where Irish citizens can obtain an eVisa | Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bolivia, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Colombia, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia |
| Countries where Irish citizens can get a visa on arrival | Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Tanzania, Togo, United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe |
| Countries where Irish citizens need a valid visa | Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Iraq, Kenya, North Korea, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia |
What You'll Learn
Visa-free countries in Europe
As an Irish citizen, you can travel to all 27 countries in the European Union without needing a visa. This is because Ireland is a member of the EU. You can also travel to the 26 countries in the Schengen Area without a visa, as Ireland's membership of the EU entitles its citizens to freedom of movement in the Schengen Area.
- France
- Germany
- Spain
- Italy
- Greece
- Portugal
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Austria
- Finland
- Norway
Irish citizens can also travel to Switzerland without a visa, despite it not being a member of the EU or the Schengen Area.
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Visa-free countries beyond Europe
Irish passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to numerous countries across the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Americas
In the Americas, Irish passport holders can visit the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and many Caribbean nations without needing a visa or by obtaining one on arrival.
Asia
In Asia, many countries welcome Irish passport holders without the need for a pre-arranged visa, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel. Some other Asian countries offer visa-on-arrival options for Irish citizens.
Africa
Africa offers numerous visa-free or visa-on-arrival options for Irish passport holders. Popular destinations that Irish citizens can visit with ease include South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, and Kenya.
Oceania
In Oceania, Irish passport holders can travel to Australia and New Zealand using the eVisitor and NZeTA systems, respectively, which are simple online processes. Many Pacific Island nations also offer visa-free access to Irish citizens.
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Visa-on-arrival and eVisa options
In addition to the extensive list of countries that offer visa-free travel to Irish passport holders, there are numerous countries that offer eVisa and visa-on-arrival options. These options typically involve minimal paperwork and can be completed online prior to arrival or upon arrival at your destination, making your travel plans even more straightforward.
For example, countries like Vietnam, India, and Egypt offer eVisa services for Irish passport holders. This means you can apply for your visa online before your trip, avoiding the need to visit an embassy or stand in long queues on arrival. The eVisa option is also available for countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Some countries offer visa-on-arrival options for Irish citizens, such as Iraq, Jordan, and Laos. This allows you to obtain your visa upon arrival at the airport or border crossing, usually for a specified fee and duration of stay.
These visa-on-arrival and eVisa options further enhance the travel benefits of holding an Irish passport, making it easier for you to explore the world and experience new cultures.
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Long-term travel and working holiday visas
The Irish passport is a powerful travel document, ranking 3rd in the world according to the Henley Passport Index. It provides visa-free access to a vast number of countries and territories, including all 27 EU member states and the entire Schengen Area. This freedom to travel, work and study in the EU is a significant advantage of holding an Irish passport.
Irish citizens can take advantage of special agreements between Ireland and other countries, allowing them to obtain working holiday visas. These visas offer young Irish citizens the opportunity to work and travel in popular destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Japan for up to one or two years. This provides an excellent chance to immerse oneself in a new culture, gain valuable international work experience, and fund extended travels.
Visa-Free Travel Destinations:
Irish passport holders can travel visa-free to a multitude of countries across the globe, including:
- All 27 countries in the European Union
- The entire Schengen Area, including 26 European countries with no internal border controls
- The United States, Canada, Mexico, and many countries in South America and the Caribbean
- Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel, and other Asian countries
- South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, and numerous other African countries
- Australia and New Zealand, along with many Pacific Island nations in Oceania
EVisa and Visa-on-Arrival Options:
In addition to visa-free travel, Irish citizens can easily obtain eVisas or visas-on-arrival for many countries, further simplifying their travel plans. Countries offering these options include Vietnam, India, Egypt, and several others.
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Visa requirements and restrictions
As of 2024, Irish citizens can travel to a significant number of countries and territories without a visa, making the Irish passport one of the most powerful in the world. However, there are still visa requirements and restrictions that Irish passport holders need to be aware of before planning their travels.
Visa-Free Destinations
Irish passport holders can enjoy visa-free access to most European countries, including all 27 EU member states and the Schengen Area, which includes 26 European countries that have abolished border controls. This means that Irish citizens can travel, live, work, and study in these countries without the need for a visa. Some of the popular European destinations among Irish travellers include France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, and Norway.
Beyond Europe, Irish passport holders also have visa-free access to many countries in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. In the Americas, they can visit the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Caribbean nations without a visa. In Asia, countries like Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel welcome Irish citizens without a pre-arranged visa. Africa offers visa-free options such as South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, and Kenya. In Oceania, Irish passport holders can easily travel to Australia and New Zealand through online processes, and many Pacific Island nations also offer visa-free access.
EVisa and Visa on Arrival Options
In addition to visa-free countries, Irish passport holders can take advantage of eVisa and Visa on Arrival options in many countries. eVisas can be obtained online before the trip, while Visas on Arrival can be obtained at the destination airport or border, making travel plans more convenient and flexible. Countries offering these options include Vietnam, India, Egypt, and many others.
Countries Requiring a Visa
There are still a small number of countries that require Irish citizens to obtain a valid visa before travelling. These include the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, and Sudan. It is important for Irish travellers to check the latest entry requirements and ensure all necessary visas and documentation are in order before planning a trip to any of these destinations.
Other Entry Requirements
Even when travelling to visa-free countries, Irish passport holders should be mindful of other entry requirements. These may include having a valid passport with sufficient validity beyond the planned stay, proof of onward travel, evidence of sufficient funds, and sometimes, proof of accommodation. Additionally, some countries may have specific health requirements, such as vaccination certificates. It is always recommended to check the most up-to-date information from official sources before travelling to avoid any unexpected issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Irish citizens can enter a number of countries without a visa, with estimates ranging from 156 to 191.
Popular destinations that Irish citizens can visit visa-free include France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, the United States, Canada, Japan, and many more.
In addition to visa-free access, an Irish passport offers benefits such as easier acceptance into universities in EU countries and access to healthcare benefits in Ireland and other EU states.
Yes, Irish citizens can travel to the UK without a visa.
