COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Ireland (19 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are permitted to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreigners are allowed to enter the country.

• For travellers arriving from countries outside the EU, EEA, and the UK, an “emergency brake” system is in place. The emergency brake may be quickly applied to a country where a variant of concern or interest arises. The testing and quarantine rules will depend on whether the traveller has been in a country that has an emergency brake applied to it in the 14 days before arrival in Ireland. A list of the countries where an emergency brake is applied can be found on this link.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers arriving from the EU or EEA countries who have a Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) are exempted from the COVID-19 test on arrival. However, for travellers arriving without the EUDCC, a test on arrival will be required.

• Travellers arriving from outside the EU or EEA where the emergency brake is not applied are not required to have the COVID-19 test on arrival provided they have proof of full vaccination. However, travellers arriving without proof of full vaccination will be required to take a test after arrival through the HSE.

• Travellers arriving from outside the EU or EEA where the emergency brake is applied will be required to take a COVID-19 test after arrival through the HSE.

*Test certificate accepted? *

• Yes, with exceptions

• COVID-19 RT-PCR test certificates issued outside Ireland are accepted. Antigen tests or other tests are not accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Effective 19 July, Ireland started accepting the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) as proof of vaccination, recovery, or negative PCR test. Travellers arriving from the EU or EEA with the EUDCC are exempted from testing. However, travellers arriving without an EUDCC must provide a negative RT-PCR test certificate performed within 72 hours prior to departure to Ireland.

• An EUDCC based on an antigen test will not be accepted for entry into Ireland.

• For travellers arriving from outside the EU or EEA (including the UK):

• From countries where the emergency brake system is applied: All travellers including vaccinated and recovered travellers arriving in Ireland will be required to provide a certificate for a negative RT-PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to departure.

• From countries where the emergency brake system is not applied: Travellers arriving in Ireland will be required to provide a certificate for a negative RT-PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to departure. However, travellers who have valid proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 in the past 180 days are exempted.

• Children between the ages of 12 and 17 will be required to have a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival to travel into the country unless they have valid proof of vaccination or recovery.

• Children under 11 years of age, patients travelling for urgent medical reasons, and international transport workers (including workers in aviation, maritime, and road haulage sectors) are exempt from the COVID-19 test certificate requirement when they are travelling while performing their duties. The full list of exemptions can be found here.

Is transit through the country allowed

• Yes

• Travellers are allowed to transit through an Irish port or airport. However, a certificate for a negative or “not detected” result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test performed no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland will be required.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Effective 19 July, Ireland started accepting the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) as proof of vaccination, recovery, or negative PCR test. Travellers arriving from the EU or EEA are exempted from quarantine regardless of whether they have an EUDCC or not.

• For travellers arriving from outside the EU or EEA:

• From countries where the emergency brake is not applied: Travellers arriving with valid proof of full vaccination or valid proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 180 days are exempted from the quarantine. However, travellers arriving without proof of full vaccination or recovery are required to enter self-quarantine for 14 days. Travellers may take an RT-PCR test no sooner than 5 days after arrival and exit quarantine on receiving a written or SMS confirmation that the result of the test is negative.

• From countries where the emergency brake is applied: All arriving passengers (including fully vaccinated travellers and travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 180 days) must undergo self-quarantine. Travellers with valid proof of vaccination or recovery can exit quarantine if they receive a negative result from an RT-PCR test no sooner than 5 days after arrival. However, travellers without proof of vaccination or recovery must undergo mandatory hotel quarantine and can exit quarantine if they receive results from an RT-PCR test no sooner than 10 days after arrival.

• All unvaccinated passengers arriving into Ireland from designated states/countries with the emergency brake applied are required to pre-book accommodation in a quarantine hotel, and to pre-pay for their stay. More information for hotel quarantine can be found here

• Children of any age, travelling with accompanying vaccinated or recovered adults will not be required to self-quarantine post-arrival. However, where one accompanying adult needs to self-quarantine, then all children must self-quarantine.

• Travellers may only leave their place of residence during the quarantine period for unavoidable reasons of an emergency nature to protect a person’s health or welfare or to leave the State.

• Based on the above restrictions, arriving travellers will be required to spend between a minimum of 5 days and a maximum of 14 days in quarantine on arrival.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country. However, insurance coverage is highly recommended.

Is vaccination required?

• No, with exceptions.

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not mandatory for entry into Ireland.

• Fully vaccinated travellers presenting proof of having received the complete dose of COVID-19 vaccination are exempted from certain restrictions.

• Travellers will be considered as fully vaccinated only if they have completed the full course of one of the following vaccines:

• 2 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine

• 2 doses of Moderna Vaccine

• 2 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine

• 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Vaccine.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All arriving passengers must complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form before arriving in Ireland. Essential service providers, such as maritime staff, pilots and hauliers, diplomats are exempt from completing the form. More information can be found here.

• Passengers required to enter mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival will be required to present evidence of this booking to their flight or ferry operator in order to board the airplane or ferry to Ireland. Bookings are open and can be made at this link. The list of designated facilities for mandatory hotel quarantine can be found here and here.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• The “COVID Tracker” provides an alert if someone has been near a confirmed COVID-19 positive case. The app is available for Android, as well as iOS users.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Airports are open, and commercial passenger flights are operating.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• All international borders are open.

• The government advises against non-essential foreign travel.

• Effective 19 July, Ireland will accept the EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) for travel originating within the EU/EEA. More information can be found here.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There are currently no curfews or lockdowns imposed in Ireland.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• The restrictions are being eased in different phases. The complete list of restrictions can be found on this official site.

• There is no limit on private gatherings provided that the people taking part are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 infection in the previous nine months. Unvaccinated households may host visitors from one other unvaccinated household.

• People aged 70 or above are advised to limit or avoid social interactions and maintain physical distance.

• Work from home is recommended unless the presence at the workplace is essential.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Face masks are required on public transportation.

• The inter-county travel ban has been lifted.

• Public transportation services are operating with capacity limits.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• All non-essential shops, including retail shops, are open with safety protocols in place.

Accommodations open?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Accommodation services including hotels, B&Bs, self-catering, and hostels can reopen. Services including leisure facilities, indoor restaurants, and bar services must be restricted to overnight guests/residents only.

Restaurants open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants are currently only allowed to provide outdoor services.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Cafes and bars/pubs are only allowed to provide outdoor services.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums, galleries, and other cultural attractions are open.

Personal care services open?

• Yes with exceptions

• All services, including hairdressers, opticians, barbers, and beauticians are open subject to appointments made in advance.

• Gyms, leisure centres, and swimming pools are open for individual training only.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are open. In-person religious services are allowed. However, religious ceremonies such as baptisms, first holy communions, and confirmations are discouraged.

Events allowed?

• Yes with exceptions

• Organized indoor gatherings are restricted. Outdoor events can be held with up to 200-500 people in attendance depending on the venue.

• Up to 50 people can attend a funeral, wedding celebration, or reception.

• Outdoor sports matches are allowed.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Use of face masks is mandatory in all crowded areas, workplaces, shops, and other indoor establishments, as well as crowded outdoor spaces. More information can be found here.

• Individuals found violating Irish government restrictions, including the failure to wear facemasks, will be fined or could face imprisonment.

Other

• Libraries will be able to provide e-services, as well as lending services. However, access to reading spaces is still prohibited.

• Outdoor playgrounds, parks, and play areas are open with public health measures.

• Outdoor amusement/theme parks/funfairs are open.

• Swimming lessons and classes are allowed.

• Drive-in cinema and drive-in bingo are open with public health protocols.

• Cinemas and theatres are open with capacity limits.

• Gyms, swimming pools, and leisure centres are open with protective measures.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.