New Passport Rules

Rockman60

Hi

I am flying from Spain to Northern Ireland with Jet2 in mid March 2026. I live in Northern Ireland but I have an Irish passport.

After the new passport regulations come in later this month will I still be able to fly into Belfast on an Irish passport?

Thanks

Woodstok2000

Are you a British or Irish citizen? British and Irish citizens don't aren't impacted by the change, unless you are dual citizen without a British passport.

Maegi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656143/new-passport-rules

Yes and get yourself a Passport card (€35) - it works across the EU, Schengen area and even backward UK

flaneurs_lobster

No change for Irish (or dual GBR/IRL) citizens.

alamest

If you’re travelling on an Irish passport and living in Northern Ireland, you shouldn’t be affected by the new rules at all. The changes mainly apply to British passport holders travelling into the EU/Schengen area, not Irish citizens. Ireland is in the EU, and there’s also the Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland, so Irish citizens can continue travelling between Spain and Belfast as normal.

I’ve flown into Belfast on an Irish passport before and it’s been completely straightforward — no different to pre-Brexit in practical terms. The key thing is that your passport is valid for the duration of travel, which it sounds like it is.

Are you travelling solely on the Irish passport, or do you also hold a British one?

ThorOdinson

Sorry I can't help but I really hate being a second class citizen. You are very lucky, OP.

NoodleDoodleMan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656143/new-passport-rules

Simple answer = Yes.

British and Irish passport holders have the right to enter the UK as before - ETA doesn't apply.

NoodleDoodleMan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891867#Comment_81891867

What is the advantage of having a passport card in addition to a full passport ?

Seems needless extra expense to me.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81892810#Comment_81892810

It fits in your wallet so is easy to carry at all times, and is valid for all travel across the EU/EEA/Switzerland, and it doubles as ID for anything else you might want.

It's also really convenient (for me) as it means I can still travel in those areas while my passport is being renewed or is away for visa applications.

NoodleDoodleMan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81892842#Comment_81892842

I've read reports that passport cards are not always accepted in countries where they really ought to be - and sometimes not as substitutes for the full passport.

I'm on the verge of gaining an Irish passport, however the additional card would be of no practical use in my circumstances.

Maegi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81892927#Comment_81892927

Irish citizens have Freedom of Movement across the EU/EEA, Switzerland, UK, IOM and Channel Islands - they don't strictly speaking need a full Passport, just proof of that nationality to exercise that right.

I missed out on Irish citizenship by a generation (a great grandparent) so will have to shuffle Passports when travelling anywhere in Europe (except Ireland) to avoid both UK ETA and EU ETIAS.