Ireland visa requirements and travel health insurance

January 03, 2019

Ireland is the emerald jewel of the Atlantic Ocean, brimming with rich history, culture, stunning landscapes and dramatic coastlines, friendly locals and, of course, Guinness. Its breath-taking scenery is a huge attraction; tourists can walk from beach to mountain to fen in a matter of hours. Coupled with the easy-going nature of rural living, this scenic array encourages a leisurely and rich experience. These are just a handful of reasons why so many tourists visit this heart-warming island each year. There’s a lot to get excited about when organizing your visit.

To fully enjoy your trip, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.
 
Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:

Visa Information for Ireland

Do I Need to Get a Visa to Visit Ireland?    

No

If you are an American Citizen with a valid US passport visiting Ireland for no more than 90 days, then you don’t need a visa.

Travel Documents You Will Need:

A valid U.S. passport.

All passports must have a minimum of 6 months before expiration. That is 6 months from the date of your travel departure, and your passport should also have at least two blank pages for stamping.

Health and Medical Advice

Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in Ireland. It’s also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital to where you are staying is, in case of an emergency.

Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to Ireland?

You’re not required to get any vaccinations when travelling to Ireland, but we would highly recommend that you make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. The standard vaccines are:

•    MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
•    Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
•    Influenza
•    Polio
•    Chickenpox

Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment, at the latest, four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.

Travel Health Updates in Ireland

Currently, there are no reported epidemics occurring in Ireland.

To keep up to date on any breakouts, visit the CDC website. 
 
Emergency Contact Information in Ireland

No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services while they’re on vacation, but unfortunately accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.

The European emergency number is: 112

The Emergency contact number in Ireland is: 999

Ireland Local Laws and Customs

•    Possession of any illegal drugs is an offence and punishable by lengthy prison sentences if caught.
•    Drunk driving is illegal and very dangerous. If caught driving under the influence you may be served with a prison sentence.

Safety and Security

Petty Theft and Crime

In general, Ireland is a safe country for tourists, but it is advisable to take the same precautions that you would when you are out and about at home. Like any other country with popular tourist destinations, some places in Ireland are hot pickpocketing zones. Be alert and keep your belongings with you at all times, especially in crowded areas like train or metro stations and popular public areas. It’s always a good idea to keep valuable belongings or extra spending money in a hotel safe, if you have one.


U.S. Embassy in Ireland
U.S. Embassy Dublin
42 Elgin Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Telephone: +353 1 668-8777

Useful Tips for Ireland

Official Languages: Irish (Gaelic) and English
The official languages of Ireland are Gaelic and English.

Currency: Euro
Before your trip to Ireland make sure to exchange enough euros for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.

Irish Plug Sockets: Type G
Ireland uses the type G plug socket. The standard voltage and frequency are 230 V and 50 Hz. You will need a plug adapter If you don’t have one already.
You will also need to buy a voltage converter or transformer as the standard Irish voltage is higher than in the U.S (120 V). Its best to go for a converter which can also alter the frequency as the U.S. frequency rate is 10 Hz higher than in Ireland and so may be dangerous to use without a converter.

© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.