Travel to Ireland

Ireland: Various travel information

Formalities, visas

German nationals need a valid identity card or passport to enter Ireland. A valid German child ID card or child passport is recognized for children under 16 years of age. The entry of a child on a parent’s passport is also sufficient to enter Ireland. German citizens do not need an entry visa for Ireland. Even if you stay in Ireland for a longer period of time, as part of the freedom of movement within the European Union, there is no notification or registration requirement. You do not need a residence and/or work permit.

Issuing of visas in Germany

Friedrichstrasse 200

10117 Berlin

Tel: +49 – (0) 30 – 22 07 20

www.botschaft-irland.de

Issuing of visas in Austria and Switzerland

See under Representations of Ireland in Austria and Representations of Ireland in Switzerland.

Foreign exchange, goods, customs regulations

Local currency

The national currency of Ireland is the euro:

1 euro (€) = 100 cents

There are no regulations for the import and export of foreign currency.

Souvenirs, Customs Regulations

Typical Irish goods are Aran sweaters, tweeds and lace, as well as Waterford crystal glass and pottery, wicker and wickerwork. Irish whiskey, biscuits and salmon are also good souvenirs to take home.

There are also no import restrictions for private use for travelers from EU countries. The following guide quantities apply for personal needs:

  • Meat, poultry and dairy products are not allowed to enter Ireland.
  • The import of any kind of weapon is strictly prohibited.
  • Pets require a valid pet passport and appropriate vaccinations.

How do you get to Ireland?

The quickest and easiest way to get there is by plane. Different airlines fly to Ireland from all major airports in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The national Irish airline is Air Lingus. www.aerlingus.com

There are direct ferry connections with Irish Ferries from mainland France. www.irishferries.com

Travel in the country

Air connections

Domestic flights operate between Dublin, Shannon, Cork, Knock, as well as Kerry County, Galway, Sligo, Carrickfinn and Waterford.

Rail

Only major cities in Ireland can be reached by

rail, see: www.irishrail.ie

www.translink.co.uk

Bus

Intercity buses connect all major towns.

www.buseireann.ie

www.translink.co.uk

Ferry connections

There are ferry connections from Ireland to the UK and France.

www.aferry.to

www.irishferries.com

Car

To rent a car to rent, you have to be 21 years old. Rental cars are available in every major city in Ireland.

Taxis

Taxis are available in all major cities in Ireland. In some cases, the fare has to be negotiated before departure.

Roads

In Ireland there are only country roads with the exception of a small stretch of motorway near Dublin.

Traffic rules

Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain more detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the Irish traffic clubs.

Top speeds

  • Urban: In built-up areas, there is a speed limit of 30 miles (approx. 48 km/h).
  • Country roads: The speed limit on country roads is 55 miles (approximately 89 km/h).

In addition, it is of course necessary to pay attention to the current local speed limits, which are indicated by traffic signs.

Specific rules

Ireland drives on the left. When turning, those coming from the right still have right of way. Instead of junctions, Ireland has roundabouts.

Blood alcohol limit

The official blood alcohol limit for drivers of motor vehicles in Ireland is 0.8 alcohol.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, Ireland’s international license plate is:

IRL

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases that do not also occur in Germany, Austria or Switzerland are not to be expected in Ireland. However, you should be particularly careful:

  • AIDS, HIV
  • Amoebic dysentery
  • Bacterial agitation
  • Lyme disease, as a result of tick bites
  • Intestinal infectionsThese can be caused by contaminated food or water, such as amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria.
  • Early summer meningo encephalitis, mainly as a result of tick bites.
  • Hepatitis A and BInfection with hepatitis B is only possible in people who can come into contact with blood or those who have sexual contact.
  • Polio, polio

Vaccination recommendations When traveling to Ireland, the same vaccinations are recommended as in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

  • Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Hepatitis A and B, vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or who are looking for sexual contact.
  • Polio, polio, a vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus, should always exist, also in the home country.

Vaccination Requirements There are no vaccination requirements to enter or stay in Ireland.

Hazards and current warning notices

Foreign Office (AA) of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizens’ Service

Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000

www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de

Ireland: Embassies and Consulates

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Ireland embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of Ireland in Germany

The embassy of Ireland is located in a traditional house in Berlin-Mitte near the Gendarmenmarkt.

The building – the “Mendelssohn House” – is the former parent company of the private bank Mendelssohn & Co. This is where the “Bankhaus Mendelssohn” founded in 1795 found its residence in 1815.. The oldest son of the Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn (1729) lived here since 1804 -1786) – Joseph Mendelssohn (1770-1848) with his family.

The building was erected around 1789, rebuilt around 1870 and two storeys added in 1950. After the fall of the Wall, it was thoroughly renovated true to the original. The Irish Embassy has resided on the 2nd floor of the building since 2004.

Embassy in Berlin

Jägerstrasse 51

10117 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 22 07 20

Email: berlin@dfa.ie

Web: www.embassyofireland.de

Honorary Consulate General in Bergisch-Gladbach

Frankenforster Strasse 77

51427 Bergisch-Gladbach

Tel: 0049 – (0) 2204 – 60 98 60

Honorary Consulate in Frankfurt am Main Graefstrasse 99 60487 Frankfurt am Main Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 977 88 38 83

Honorary Consulate in Hamburg

Feldbrunnenstrasse 43

20148 Hamburg

Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 44 18 61 13

Email: konsulat@fissership.de

Honorary Consulate in Munich

Denninger Strasse 15

81679 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 20 80 5990

German representations in Ireland

Embassy in Dublin

31 Trimleston Avenue, Booterstown

Dublin

Tel: 00353 – 1 – 269 30 11

Email: info@dublin.diplo.de

Web: www.dublin.diplo.de

Honorary Consulate in Cork

12 South Mall

Cork

Tel: 00353 – 21 – 4 80 27 00

Email: german.consul@rdj.ie

Austrian representations in Ireland

Embassy in Dublin

15, Ailesbury Court Apartments, 93, Ailesbury Road

Dublin 4

Tel: 00353 – (0) 1 – 269 45 77

E-Mail: dublin-ob@bmeia.gv.at

Web: www.aussenministerium.at/dublin

Representations of Ireland in Austria

Embassy in Vienna

Rotenturmstrasse 16-18

A-1010 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 715 42 46

Email: vienna@dfa.ie

Representations of Switzerland in Ireland

Embassy in Dublin

6, Ailesbury Road Ballsbridge

Dublin 4

Tel: 00351 – 1 – 218 63 82/-83

Email: dub.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/dublin

Representations of Ireland in Switzerland

Embassy in Bern

Kirchenfeldstr. 68

3005 Bern

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 35 21 442

Email: berne@dfa.ie

Web: www.embassyofireland.ch

Consulate General in Zurich

Claridenstr. 25

8027 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – (0) 44 – 289 25 15

Travel to Ireland