Compare travel insurance for Ireland

How much does travel insurance for Ireland cost?

The good news is that travel to the Republic of Ireland (ROI) falls under a European travel insurance policy. If you’re travelling to Northern Ireland, you’ll be covered by UK travel insurance. The price you’ll pay for you policy will depend on several factors including:

• The length of your trip.
• Your age – if you’re over 65 you’ll often have to pay more, because statistically there’s a greater chance that you’ll need medical care while you’re away.
• The number of people travelling with you. A couple’s retreat will, of course, be cheaper than family holiday insurance.
• If you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
• What activities you have planned for your holiday.
• How much excess you’re willing to pay if you need to make a claim. Exploring the effect of a higher or lower excess on the price of your policy could be worth a few minutes.

The amount you’ll pay for you policy will also depend on how much cover you want for holiday cancellation, medical cover and baggage cover.

What won’t Ireland travel insurance cover?

Here are some common exclusions to be aware of when you’re travelling to Ireland:

• Accidents, injuries or loss of personal possessions that happen when you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol are unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance. Something to bear in mind when you’re enjoying a cold Guinness or sampling the local whiskey. Enjoy, by all means. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.
• Pre-existing medical conditions – some policies will exclude treatment for certain medical conditions. But fear not, when you compare with us, we’ll only show you policies that cover you for any medical conditions you declare, without exclusions.
• Natural disasters – although Ireland isn’t known for particularly extreme weather (besides a lot of rain), there’s a chance your travel plans could be affected by stormy weather. Look out for any mention of travel disruption cover, natural catastrophe cover or extreme weather events in your policy terms.
• Terrorism – although there haven’t been any recent terrorist attacks in Ireland, they can’t be ruled out so it’s worth noting that some travel insurance policies will exclude claims that arise due to terrorism.

Do I need a visa for Ireland?

If you’re a UK citizen, you don’t need a visa to enter Ireland. You technically don’t even need to show your passport to enter the country because Ireland belongs to the Common Travel Area (CTA), along with the UK. You’ll have to show photographic ID, though, and in some cases proof of nationality too, so probably best to take your passport – if it’s valid.

More details about the entry requirements for Ireland can be found on the GOV.UK website, including rules on COVID-19 vaccines and testing.

Any other tips for travel to Ireland?

• Weather – Ireland has a mild but damp climate. It’s part of the reason Ireland is such a beautiful destination. Just bear it in mind when packing.
• Transport – a word to the wise, buses don’t stop in Ireland, even at the designated bus stops, unless you flag them down.
• Safety – Ireland is considered a safe place to travel but you should still be wary of pickpocketing and bag theft when you’re out and about, especially in Dublin.
• Shops – shops and restaurants may have more limited opening hours on Sundays than you’re used to, so make sure you check and plan ahead.
• Currency – the Republic of Ireland’s currency is the euro. However, if you cross into Northern Ireland, the currency is pound sterling.
• Get a heritage card – this really is a top tip. You can get a heritage card for a one-off fee and use it to access many of the country’s castles, national parks, heritage sites and war memorial gardens, rather than paying a separate entry fee each time. You can buy these cards online or pick one up once you get to Ireland from an Office of Public Works (OPW) visitor centre.
• Culture – Ireland has a lot of traditions and customs such as Irish dancing, Gaelic sports and a big pub culture. You can also expect a real buzz if you’re visiting for St Patrick’s Day on 17 March. You may never look at the colour green in the same way again...