Travel to/from Britain
Before leaving home for your trip to or through Britain or to Ireland, make sure you've got the right documentation and identification. Find out what you need to bring right here.
New rules for travel to the UK
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays of up to six months, or who do not already have a UK immigration status, to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). If you are travelling to the UK, please see requirements below:
Non-EU/EEA passport holders
- Need an ETA if travelling to or through the UK (without a visa) on or after 8 January 2025.
Some nationalities cannot apply for an ETA and must have a visa.
EU/EEA passport holders
- Need an ETA if travelling to or through the UK (without a visa) on or after 2 April 2025.
- British and Irish citizens do not need to apply for ETA.
Transiting through the UK
There is a temporary exemption for travellers who transit airside when they are changing flights at Heathrow and Manchester airports. These travellers will pass through UK border control and are currently exempt from the requirement for an ETA.
Please note: Without the correct documents you may be refused boarding.
Acceptable Identification
If you’re a citizen of Ireland and/or Britain, you need to carry some form of official photo identification in order to be able to fly with us.
Note: To travel between Ireland and Britain with photo identification other than a passport, you must be a citizen of either country.
The following forms of photo identification are acceptable once they are in date:
- Valid passport or Irish passport card
- Driver’s licence with photo
- International student card
- Government issued photo ID cards
- Health insurance cards with photo/social security cards with photo.
- Bus pass with photo
- Work ID with photo.
Citizens of Ireland and Britain under the age of 16 don’t need a photo ID if travelling with their parent/guardian.
Citizens of countries other than Ireland and Britain must produce a valid passport and visa where applicable for travel between Ireland and Britain.
For Aer Lingus Regional flights between Belfast and Britain
Photographic identification (photo ID) is required on all flights between Belfast and Britain.
The following forms of Government Issued photo ID are accepted when checking in hold luggage on flights:
- valid passport or Irish passport card
- valid photographic driving licence, provisional or full
- valid photographic EU or Swiss national identity card
- valid UK armed forces identity card
- valid UK police warrant card/badge.
Please ensure you still look like the photograph in the ID you are presenting.
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