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TRAVEL REPORT
Ireland

1. RECENT UPDATES

A hyperlink has been updated.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Ireland

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Ireland do not experience problems.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag snatching and stolen passports occurs, particularly in areas frequented by tourists. Violent crime, although rare, occurs in larger cities. Car theft is on the rise, especially in Dublin; rental vehicles are especially targeted.

Automated banking machine (ABM) and credit card scams are becoming more common.  

Demonstrations

Avoid political demonstrations and protests, as they can turn violent without notice.

General Safety Information

Canadians should exercise normal security precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times and avoid carrying large sums of cash.  Avoid secluded parks and unlit areas. Vehicles should be parked in secure parking lots.

The emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire is 999.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Irish authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of Ireland and its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Ireland. The passport must be valid for at least the expected duration of their stay. Canadians may also be asked to show proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay and that they have a return or onward ticket.

While Irish immigration rules state that Canadians are only required to be in possession of a passport valid for at least the expected duration of their stay, some airlines may refuse boarding to any passenger if they are not satisfied with the validity of the travel documents presented, regardless of the country's immigration entry rules. In order to avoid delays and other problems that may hinder their return to Canada, Canadian citizens are strongly advised to verify this requirement with the airline prior to initiating international travel.

Canadians entering Ireland from the United Kingdom also require a valid Canadian passport. Numerous Canadians are refused entry into Ireland every year due to the lack of a passport. Return or onward tickets are required.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days)
Student Visa: Not required, except for the Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP)
Work Permit: Required

Students wishing to study in Ireland are required to register with immigration authorities within seven days of their arrival. They must provide letters of registration and acceptance from their school detailing the nature and duration of the program and evidence that tuition has been paid. Students also need to prove that they have full medical insurance, sufficient funds for the duration of their stay and proof of residence in Ireland. Students can apply for a working holiday visa through the Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP).

Canadians wishing to work in Ireland must obtain a Green Card before entering the country. Work permit applications must be made through the prospective employer and must be processed before leaving Canada. Canadians should contact the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa to obtain up-to-date information.

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Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom), along with Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders. The following 25 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period). The 90 days are cumulative and apply to travel within all countries of the Schengen Area. Some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen Area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, Canadians must obtain a long-stay national visa.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult the European Commission's website page on Cash controls.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Ireland - DUBLIN, Embassy of Canada
Address: 7-8 Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel.: 353 (1) 234-4000
Fax: 353 (1) 234-4001
E-Mail: consul.dublin@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Ireland.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Dublin and follow the instructions. You may also place a collect call (via the international operator at 1800 9455 55) to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. Please note that no immigration, travel, visa or passport renewal information is available at this number.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

The standard of healthcare is high, and excellent medical care is widely available. Upfront payment is required before treatment.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Ireland are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Ireland to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Irish authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

There are strict penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs. Penalties for drunk driving are also severe and may result in imprisonment and a heavy fine.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road Travel

Traffic drives on the left. Turning at a red light is prohibited. Reduce speed on narrow, uneven country roads. The use of cellular telephones while driving is prohibited, unless fitted with a hands-free device.

Motorways in Ireland are subject to tolls. For more information, please visit the AA Ireland website.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

Public Transportation

Taxis are widely available. The tariff structure counts time stopped in traffic as part of the fare. In Dublin, gridlock can prove expensive. Expect long delays during rush hours.

Intercity bus and train services are occasionally affected by overcrowding and traffic congestion or disrupted by strike action. Ferry services are available between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Ferries could be delayed or cancelled due to weather conditions.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the euro (EUR). Credit cards and traveller's cheques in U.S. dollars and euros are widely accepted.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Heavy rains are frequent, sometimes resulting in flooding.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Adoption by foreigners is almost impossible in this country or region.

Immigration to Canada:  There is no Immigration Services at the Embassy of Canada in Ireland. Enquiries are to be forwarded to the High Commission of Canada in London, United Kingdom.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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