Travelling abroad: general tips

Information

Travelling abroad can be a very worthwhile and rewarding experience. Whether it's your first time to leave Ireland or you are a seasoned traveller, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have issued some general guidelines that will help you prepare for travel abroad.

Before you travel abroad

Before you travel, familiarise yourself with your destination. Do you require a visa to travel there? What is the local currency? Is there a time difference between your destination and Ireland? You can obtain all this information from your travel agent or the embassy of the country concerned in advance. Alternatively, you can also search for this information online.

Passports

With the exception of travel to the UK, Irish citizens require a valid passport in order to travel to every destination. All EU citizens have the right to enter and reside in the territory of any other member state of the European Union for a period of up to three months simply by presenting a valid passport or national identity card; no other formality is required. Member states cannot set additional conditions concerning the minimum validity of duration of the identity card or passport.

Irish citizens travelling to destinations outside the EU are subject to the specific requirements of those countries for the entry of foreign nationals into their territory and they should contact the relevant Embassy of those countries before they travel for the most up-to-date information on these requirements. Remember, you can renew your Irish passport at any time - you don't have to wait until your passport is about to expire to do so. Read more information on applying for a passport in our document Applying for an Irish passport.

Since June 2005 the United States has required that all Irish passport holders must carry a machine-readable passport when travelling to the US. Irish passport holders may enter the US without a visa for travel or business purposes for a maximum period of 90 days. If you don't hold a machine-readable Irish passport you must obtain a visa in order to enter the US.

From 12 January 2009, Irish passport holders require an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) before boarding their flight to the US. Further information is available on the US embassy website.

Visas

It is not possible for us to predict whether or not you will require a visa when travelling abroad - it depends on your destination. Your travel agent or the embassy of the country you will be visiting can advise on this.

Health

If you are travelling to a destination within the EU, you are entitled to receive emergency medical treatment on the same basis as a national of that country but you must bring a European Health Insurance Card with you which is available from your Local Health Office. Read more on emergency medical treatment abroad here.

If you will be travelling abroad for an extended period, you should consider consulting your doctor to discuss known or possible health risks. This is particularly important if you have an existing medical condition or are visiting a tropical area where the conditions exist for the spread of infectious diseases. If you take medication on a regular basis you should ask your doctor to prescribe an amount adequate for your visit and bring it with you. It is also advisable to bring a letter from your doctor outlining your medical condition and the type of medication you require. Read more about travelling abroad; vaccinations and health tips here.

Money

Generally speaking, travellers’ cheques and international credit cards are the safest way to carry funds when travelling abroad. In more remote areas, however, you may not be able to use them. Again, check with your travel agent prior to departure about the best way to carry funds. It is advisable always to carry a small amount of local currency to pay bus or taxi fares or make small purchases or telephone calls.

Before you leave Ireland, make a note of the 24-hour emergency number of the bank that issued your credit card so you can cancel it in the event it is stolen. You should also make a note of the serial numbers of your traveller’s cheques to facilitate their replacement in the event they are stolen.

Note: you may encounter difficulties if the name on your travellers’ cheques or credit cards is different to that on your passport.

Driving abroad

If you intend to drive while abroad, make sure that your Irish driving licence is valid and that you bring it with you. Some countries outside the European Economic Area (the member states of the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) may require you to hold an International Driving Permit in addition to your Irish driving licence. Read more about international driving permits here.

It's very important to bear in mind that the rules of the road abroad are different to those in Ireland. Make sure you acquaint yourself with the local rules and driving habits. The embassy or consulate of the country concerned can inform you about the requirements before your departure. Always make sure you are properly insured for driving while overseas.

Electrical equipment

Electrical plugs and sockets in other countries will be different from those in use in Ireland. You may need special adapters to enable you to use electrical appliances you bring from Ireland (such as hair dryers, shavers, etc.). You can purchase these adapters at airports and in many stores here in Ireland.

If you are taking a mobile telephone with you, check in advance that it will work in the country to which you are travelling. Roaming charges can be very high and this can make the cost of using an Irish mobile phone abroad very expensive. Contact your service provider for more information on the costs of making and receiving calls abroad.

Travel warnings

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Ireland provide travel advice to Irish people planning a trip overseas. This advice reflects a considered assessment of the risks involved for Irish citizens travelling to individual countries. Read through the latest travel warning updates here.

While you are abroad

Make a note of the address, telephone number and opening hours of the Irish Embassy or Consulate in the country you are visiting. In countries where there is no Irish diplomatic or consular representation, you may seek emergency assistance from embassies or consulates of other European Union countries.

If there is a natural disaster or terrorist attack in the country you are visiting, contact your family at home to let them know you are safe. Even if they know you are well away from the scene of the incident, they will be concerned for your safety and will be appreciate confirmation that you are not in danger. Some other general tips include:

• Organise accommodation for the first few nights of your stay.
• Obey local laws and customs. Remember that what is legal in Ireland may not be permitted in the country you are visiting.
• Be sensitive to local culture and customs. They may be very different to those in Ireland and it's recommended that you don't behave in a manner that might cause offence to local people.
• Respect local dress codes, particularly in Islamic countries.
• Keep an eye on your bags at all times and never carry bags or packages for anybody else.
• Find out about the area in which you are staying. Avoid visiting dark, isolated areas, (especially on your own).
• In the event of theft, contact the local police immediately. Get a police statement of loss when you report the theft. (You will need this to make a claim against your insurance or to obtain a replacement passport).

It's always advisable when travelling outside Ireland to plan your travels in advance. This will save considerable time when you get there and will help make your time abroad a positive experience. Remember to let family and friends in Ireland know where you are and when they can expect to hear from you. This will mean that they can also contact you in case there is an emergency.