What changed: From Monday 28 September 2026, Irish Ferries and Stena Line require every passenger on their Dublin to Holyhead, Rosslare to Pembroke and Rosslare to Fishguard sailings to show a valid passport at check-in. Driving licences, national ID cards and other photo ID are no longer accepted on these routes. Both operators say the change is to meet UK Border Force requirements on the accuracy of passenger data before boarding.
Who it affects
- Everyone on those routes, in both directions, including British and Irish citizens and children of any age.
- Irish citizens can use an Irish passport card instead of a passport book. Both operators accept it.
- Visitors from outside the UK and Ireland, including travellers from South Africa, Zimbabwe and the wider EU, still need a passport as before, and may also need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) when sailing into Britain. Irish Ferries warns that passengers without a required ETA may not be allowed to board.
- Freight drivers are covered too.
Stena Line says there is no change to ID rules on its Belfast, Liverpool, Cairnryan and Heysham routes.
Key dates
- 26 August 2026: Irish Ferries updated its travel document guidance.
- 28 September 2026: passport requirement took effect on the affected routes.
What to do now
- Check which port you are sailing from. The rule applies to Dublin, Holyhead, Rosslare, Pembroke and Fishguard.
- Pack a valid passport (or Irish passport card) for every traveller, including babies.
- If you are not a British or Irish citizen and are travelling to Britain, check whether you need a UK ETA and apply before you sail.
- If your surname differs from your child's, Stena Line advises carrying supporting documents such as a birth or marriage certificate.
