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Passengers travelling by ferry between Wales and the Republic of Ireland will face new passport requirements from 28 September 2026, with Stena Line and Irish Ferries changing the identification documents accepted on key routes.
The change means passengers who have previously travelled using a driving licence or another form of photographic identification will need to check their documents before travelling. The new requirement applies to passengers travelling between Britain and Ireland, including British and Irish citizens, on the affected ferry services.
From Monday, 28 September, Stena Line will require all passengers travelling from Dublin, Holyhead, Fishguard, or Rosslare ports to present a valid passport at check-in. The operator has published updated identification requirements covering its Ireland routes.
Irish Ferries has announced a similar change for its services between the Republic of Ireland and Britain. From the same date, passengers travelling on its Dublin-Holyhead and Rosslare-Pembroke routes will need to present either a valid passport or an Irish passport card before boarding.
For Irish Ferries passengers, driving licences, national identity cards, and other forms of photographic identification will no longer be accepted on these routes from 28 September. The company says the change has been introduced to meet UK Border Force requirements concerning accurate and reliable passenger information before boarding.
The change is significant for British and Irish travellers because the Common Travel Area (CTA) between the UK and Ireland remains in place. Under the CTA, British and Irish citizens continue to have rights to move freely between the two countries. The new ferry requirement does not mean that the Common Travel Area has been abolished or that a new passport requirement has been introduced by Irish immigration authorities.
Instead, the change concerns the identification documents required by individual ferry operators. This distinction is important for travellers who may have previously relied on the Common Travel Area when travelling between Britain and Ireland.
The routes most directly affected for travellers in Wales include Holyhead-Dublin and Fishguard-Rosslare, while Irish Ferries' changes also cover its Pembroke-Rosslare service. Passengers should check the requirements for their specific operator and sailing before travelling.
The new rules also apply to children and other passengers who may not normally be expected to carry a passport for travel within the Common Travel Area. Stena Line states that all passengers on the affected routes will need to present a valid passport at check-in.
Irish citizens travelling with Irish Ferries have an additional option, as the company will accept a valid Irish passport card alongside a passport. British citizens travelling on the affected Irish Ferries routes will need a valid passport.
Passengers should also make sure that the personal information on their booking matches the identification document they intend to use. Stena Line advises travellers to check their documentation before arriving at the port, as incorrect or missing travel information can cause problems at check-in.
The change does not apply to every journey involving the UK and Ireland in exactly the same way. The new Stena Line requirement specifically covers passengers travelling from Dublin, Holyhead, Fishguard and Rosslare, while Irish Ferries has identified its Dublin-Holyhead and Rosslare-Pembroke services. Travellers should therefore check their operator's latest guidance rather than assuming that the same documentation rules apply to every route.
For passengers with ferry journeys already booked for late September or later, the most important step is to check that every traveller has the required documentation before arriving at the port. Irish Ferries has said it is providing information to customers with existing bookings about the new requirement.
Travellers who are not British or Irish citizens should also check the entry requirements that apply to their nationality. The passport requirement for the ferry is separate from any visa, Electronic Travel Authorisation or other immigration requirements that may apply when entering Britain or Ireland.
For official information, passengers can check the UK Government's guidance on travelling between the UK and Ireland and the relevant Stena Line identification requirements or Irish Ferries passport requirements before setting off.
The new requirement will come into effect on Monday 28 September 2026. For anyone planning to travel between Wales and Ireland by ferry after that date, having the correct passport or accepted travel document will be essential to avoid problems at check-in.
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