Ireland Lifts Pre-Testing Requirements for Travel to the Country

For visitors arriving into the Republic of Ireland from Thursday January 6, those who are vaccinated and have a valid Digital COVID Certificate or other valid proof of recent infection or vaccination will no longer need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test. Unvaccinated travelers, however, will need a “not detected” PCR test result taken within 72 hours of their arrival into Ireland.

These new regulations are now in effect for the Republic of Ireland:

  • Vaccinated or recovered travelers into Ireland will be required to present evidence of a valid Digital COVID Certificate or other acceptable proof of vaccination/previous infection prior to travel.
  • Travelers who are not vaccinated or recovered will be required to present evidence of a not-detected RT-PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours before their arrival into Ireland. 

Alison Metcalfe, EVP North America and Australia/New Zealand for Tourism Ireland, said in a press statement, “Tourism Ireland very much welcomes the news that visitors will no longer be required to take a pre-travel COVID test before entry to the island of Ireland. The health and safety of all our visitors continues to be the priority, and we will ensure they are protected alongside a very warm Irish welcome and a great vacation experience. Our message—and that of the entire Irish tourism industry—is very simple: We cannot wait to roll out the green carpet and welcome back visitors from the U.S.

As for travel into Northern Irelandfollowing England’s announcement this week—fully vaccinated travelers arriving into the country after 4 a.m. on Friday, January 7 need not present a pre-departure test certificate to the airline. That said, they will still need to present a passenger locator form. In order to complete this, the traveler must book a post-arrival (Day 2) test. Self-isolation will no longer be required while waiting for a negative result. 

From 4 a.m. on Sunday, January 9, fully vaccinated travelers to Northern Ireland may take a faster, cheaper lateral flow rapid antigen test rather than a PCR, to be taken on the day of arrival or one of the two following days.

For more information on travel to Ireland, visit www.gov.ie.

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