There is a huge change to how people can travel between the UK and Ireland
There is a major change for ferry travellers(Image: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Travel expert Simon Calder has branded the new changes to travel between the UK and Ireland as “completely pointless”. Anyone travelling between the UK and Ireland by ferry will be required to show a passport before boarding.
The new rules come into force later this month and mark a major change in the ease of travel. Currently, those sailing to and from the Irish ports of Dublin and Rosslare can use photo IDs rather than passports. This can even include a bus pass.
Yet, from September 28, passports will be required. Simon shared his thoughts on the change during his Telegraph Travel Expert podcast.
He said: “We want more security, but if you’ve got a huge, long international frontier between the UK and Ireland which is completely open, and has to remain so without any checks because of the Good Friday Agreement, then putting these rules in place across the Irish Sea is completely pointless.”
While many people do have passports, Simon explained that the change can be a problem for many passengers.
He said: “There is a significant contingent of people, perhaps older travellers, who simply think ‘why do I need a passport, the only international journey I make is going back to Dublin to see family or going on the odd holiday to Kerry’.
“At the other end of the age spectrum, many people want to take their brand new child across the Irish Sea. Bring the baby, newborn across, and they are able to do that without a passport.
“It is going to be very significant in almost making life very difficult for the sorts of people who have got used to seamless travel.”
If people are not aware of the rules or do not have a passport with them from September 28, Simon said: “They won’t be getting on the ship I fear.”
The travel expert recommended other options for travellers to be able to cross between the UK and Ireland without a passport.
He said British Airways do not plan to require passports, and that you can sail from Scotland or Wales to Northern Ireland and cross by land without a passport.
New passport rules
Irish Ferries said: “From 28 September 2026, all passengers travelling on Irish Ferries services between the Republic of Ireland and Britain must present a valid passport or Irish passport card before boarding. The new passport requirement applies to Irish Ferries’ Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke routes, in both directions.
“This requirement applies to all passengers, including Irish and UK citizens. From 28 September 2026, driving licences, national identity cards and other forms of photographic identification will no longer be accepted for travel on these routes.
“Irish Ferries is introducing this requirement to comply with UK Border Force requirements on the accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding.”
Stena Line added: “From Monday 28 September 2026, passengers travelling between Holyhead and Dublin or Fishguard and Rosslare will now need to show their passport on departure.
“There is no change to the ID requirements for business or leisure passengers travelling with Stena Line from Belfast, Liverpool, Cairnryan or Heysham.”