Ferry passengers travelling from UK to Ireland face passport checks for first time in 100 years

New checks cover several major Ireland to Britain routes

The new requirement came into effect on Monday and covers sailings from Dublin and Rosslare, as well as Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke. 

Operators including Irish Ferries and Stena Line are affected.

The change is particularly notable for regular travellers, who have long been able to make the journey using other forms of identification.

That has been possible because of the Common Travel Area, which has connected Ireland, the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man since 1922. 

It allows British and Irish citizens to move between the two countries and enjoy a range of associated rights without the standard border arrangements used for international travel.

The CTA itself has not changed, but ferry companies are now introducing stricter document checks to comply with UK Border Force requirements around the “accuracy and integrity of passenger data”.

Stena Line has issued a clear warning to passengers

Irish Ferries has confirmed that the passport rule covers every passenger using its affected routes, including British and Irish citizens. 

International visitors may also need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if they are coming to the UK for stays of up to six months.

Stena Line has warned that passengers will not be able to board if they turn up without a passport.

“Unfortunately you will be unable to travel if you cannot present your passport,” the operator said, explaining that the change has been introduced to meet UK Border Force requirements around passenger information.

There is an important exception, though. The new rule does not apply to Stena Line services between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, including routes connecting Belfast with Liverpool, Cairnryan and Heysham.