I am a Belgian citizen. Do I need a passport to travel to Ireland?
Belgian citizens may travel directly from Belgium to Ireland using a valid Belgian identity card OR a passport. The identity card has the words “Belgium Identity Card” in 4 languages (Identiteitskaart/ Carte d’identité/ Personalausweis/ Identity Card) along the top of the card (current version | previous version).
Your Belgian identity card or Belgian passport must be valid for the duration of your trip to Ireland. There is no requirement to have six months validity on your Belgian passport or identity card for direct travel from Belgium to Ireland.
The information above applies only to Belgian citizens and does not apply to holders of Belgian residence cards.
If you are travelling to Ireland via Great Britain, please consult this page for UK entry requirements.
Travelling to Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland consists of the counties of Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone. Belfast is also in Northern Ireland.
Information on the requirements to travel to Northern Ireland is available from UK authorities.
Belgian residence cards issued to foreigners living in Belgium
The Belgian Residence Document (example) issued to EU citizens residing in Belgium, previously referred to as an E/E+ card (example), is not valid for travel outside the Schengen Area. Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area.
To travel to Ireland, you require a national passport or a national identity card issued by the EU state of which you are a citizen.
The special identity card (example) issued by the Belgian Foreign Ministry to those working in international organisations, such as embassies or the EU institutions, cannot be used for travel to Ireland.
Non-EU citizens: Holders of the Verblijfstitel (NL) / Titre De Sejour (FR) / Audenthaltstitel (DE)
Residence cards / permits (short-term or long-term) issued to non-EU citizens cannot be used for travel to Ireland. An example of the card can be seen here and the previous version of this card can be viewed here.
Check if you need a visa in our Visa Section.
Information on entry to Ireland for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals is available from the Irish Department of Justice.
Tourism Information
If you would like tourism information before travelling to Ireland, please visit the Tourism Ireland website (available in Dutch and French).