Can I visit Ireland with a Schengen visa or Portuguese residence permit?
A common surprise at Lisbon airport: Ireland does not accept Schengen visas or Schengen residence cards. Here is why, who is affected and what to do before booking Dublin.
In this article
Short answer: no. Ireland is a member of the European Union but not of the Schengen area. It does not accept Schengen visas, and a Portuguese or other Schengen residence permit does not replace an Irish visa. If your passport is on Ireland’s visa-required list, you need an Irish short stay visa before you fly, even from Lisbon.
Why Ireland is different
Ireland stayed outside Schengen so that it could keep the Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom, which lets Irish and British citizens move freely between the two countries. As a result Ireland runs its own border checks and its own visa system.
What this means in practice:
- flights from Portugal to Dublin go through passport control on arrival
- a Schengen visa gives no right to enter Ireland
- a Schengen residence permit (TRC) does not exempt you from an Irish visa
Who is not affected
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, who travel to Ireland with a passport or ID card
- non-EU citizens whose nationality does not need an Irish visa (for example Brazil, USA, Canada)
- family members of EU citizens who hold certain residence cards, under EU free movement rules (check the Irish rules for your case)
Who is affected
Citizens of countries on Ireland’s visa-required list, such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and many African countries, need a visa, wherever they live. A Nepali chef living in Porto with a TRC needs the same Irish visa as someone applying from Kathmandu, though they can apply from Portugal.
What to do before booking
- Check your nationality on the Irish Immigration Service website.
- If you need a visa, apply on AVATS at least three months before travel.
- Do not buy non-refundable tickets until the visa is issued.
- Make sure your TRC is valid for at least three months after your return.
At the airport
Airlines check documents before boarding flights to Ireland. Without the right visa you may be refused boarding in Lisbon, and the ticket is usually lost.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ireland part of Schengen?
No. Ireland is in the EU but outside Schengen.
Can I use my Portuguese TRC to fly to Dublin?
Only if your passport does not need an Irish visa. The TRC itself does not exempt you.
Does Ireland accept a UK visa?
Ireland has allowed some nationalities with a valid UK visa to visit under a waiver scheme. Check whether it applies to your passport on the Irish Immigration Service site.
Do I need a visa to transit through Dublin?
Some nationalities need an Irish transit visa. Check the Irish rules for your passport.
Sources
This article is general information. Rules change: before you apply, our team confirms what applies to you.
