This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate

Updated March 2024

An exquisite getaway along the enchanting European shores, Ireland is a land where enchanting landscapes meet rich history and vibrant culture. For those yearning for the pleasure of travel without the complexities of visa procedures, Ireland welcomes citizens from specific countries, offering them the privilege of entering without a visa.

Book cheap flights to Ireland

In this article, Wego elaborates on the details regarding countries eligible for visa-free travel to Ireland.

Table of Contents

Which countries are eligible for visa-free entry to Ireland?

Ireland has a visa-free regime for visitors from specific countries, with a stay duration of up to 3 months. However, while Ireland is a member of the European Union, it remains outside the Schengen Area and thus upholds its unique visa policies.

Moreover, since Ireland is not a part of the Schengen Agreement, possessing a Schengen visa or residence permit does not grant you permission to travel to Ireland without a separate visa.

In general, if you fall into one of the categories below, you typically do not require a visa for Ireland:

you are a citizen of the EU or the EEA (which includes Iceland, Norway, and Lichtenstein) or Switzerland
you possess a residence card issued by an EEA country or Switzerland as a family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen residing outside of the EEA/Swiss family member’s home country. For instance, if you reside in Germany with your French spouse
you hold a UK short-stay visa and meet the criteria for the short-stay visa waiver or the British-Irish Visa Scheme (refer to ‘Visa waivers for UK visa holders’ below)
you are a school student residing in an EU/EEA country and are traveling as part of a school trip (see ‘School Student Visa Waiver’ below)

More specifically, listed below are the countries whose citizens can travel to Ireland without a visa:

EU and EEA member states

Foreign nationals from the following EU and EEA member states are exempt from obtaining a visa to enter Ireland:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Republic of Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden

Other countries

However, individuals from other countries must obtain an Irish visa before their arrival, except nationals from the following countries, who are permitted to visit Ireland for up to 3 months without a visa:

Andorra
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados Macau (Special Admin. Region)
Belize Malaysia
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Fiji
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Hong Kong (Special Admin. Region)
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Lesotho
Maldives
Mexico
Monaco
Nauru
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Saint Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Korea
Swaziland (Eswatini)
Taiwan
Tonga
Trinidad & Tobago
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uruguay
Vatican City

British-Irish Visa Scheme

The British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) enables specific individuals to travel within the Common Travel Area (CTA), which comprises Ireland and the United Kingdom (excluding the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands), using a single visa for short stays.

To benefit from this scheme, your visa must bear the endorsement ‘BIVS.’ A visa officer will assess each eligible visa for ‘BIVS’ endorsement. There is no recourse for an appeal if a visa is not endorsed by ‘BIVS.’

Chinese nationals residing in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) at the time of application and Indian nationals residing in India during the application period are eligible for the British-Irish Visa Scheme.