Can Irish passport holders live and work anywhere in the EU?

Yes. Irish citizens have full freedom of movement within the European Union and European Economic Area (EEA). You can live, work, study, and retire in any EU/EEA country without requiring a visa or work permit. This right is protected under EU law and remains unchanged despite Brexit, as Ireland is an EU member state.

Do Irish citizens need a visa for the United States?

Irish passport holders do not need a visa for tourism or business visits up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program. However, you must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) online before departure. ESTA approval is typically granted within minutes and costs $21, valid for 2 years or until passport expiry.

Which countries can Irish passport holders visit visa-free?

Irish citizens enjoy visa-free access to 187 countries including all EU nations, UK, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Major destinations requiring e-visas or visas on arrival include USA, Canada, Australia, India, China, Russia, and Vietnam.

Do Irish passport holders need a visa for Australia or Canada?

Irish citizens need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for Australia and an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for Canada. Both are online applications: Australia's ETA costs AUD $20 and Canada's eTA costs CAD $7. Neither requires a traditional visa, and approvals are usually instant for tourism and business visits up to 90 days (Australia) or 6 months (Canada).

Is military service mandatory for Irish citizens?

No. Ireland does not have mandatory military service or conscription. The Irish Defence Forces operate on a voluntary basis only. Irish passport holders have no military service obligations, whether residing in Ireland or abroad. This has been the case since the foundation of the state.

Can Irish passport holders travel to Russia and China without a visa?

No traditional visa-free access exists. For Russia, Irish citizens can apply for an e-visa for certain regions or obtain a standard visa through the embassy. For China, as of 2025, Irish passport holders can apply for an e-visa or visit visa-free for up to 15 days for transit in certain cities, but most visits require a visa obtained in advance through the Chinese embassy or visa centers.

What countries are visa-free for Irish citizens in Asia?

Irish passport holders can visit visa-free: Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macao, Mongolia, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Armenia. Visa-on-arrival is available for Cambodia, Laos, Maldives, Nepal, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia. E-visas are required for India, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.

Which countries require visas for Irish passport holders?

Only 15 countries require traditional visas in advance: Afghanistan, Algeria, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Rep.), Eritrea, Ghana, Libya, Mali, Nauru, Niger, North Korea, Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Yemen. Most other destinations offer visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, e-visas, or electronic travel authorizations.

Can Irish citizens use the UK e-gates and do they need a visa for Britain post-Brexit?

Irish citizens do NOT need a visa for the UK and can live and work there freely under the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement, which predates the EU and remains unaffected by Brexit. Irish passport holders can use UK e-gates at airports and have the same rights as before Brexit, including access to healthcare, education, and social benefits.

Ireland Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 187 Countries

The Ireland passport ranks 5th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 destinations worldwide. This powerful travel document has consistently maintained a top-10 position since 2006, demonstrating Ireland's strong diplomatic relationships and international standing. Irish passport holders enjoy exceptional global mobility, with seamless access to the EU, UK, and numerous countries across North America, Asia, and Oceania, making it one of the world's most advantageous travel documents for business and leisure.

Global Rank

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

187

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Ireland passport

138

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Irish Citizens

Popular destinations where Ireland passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
France	Up to 90 days	FR
Singapore	Up to 90 days	SG
Thailand	Up to 60 days	TH
Japan	Up to 90 days	JP
United States	Up to 90 days	US

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Ireland passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

138 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

33 countries

🔐 ETA Required

16 countries

💻 E-Visa

24 countries

❌ Visa Required

15 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Ireland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 3 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official Ireland Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Department of Foreign Affairs - Passports

🔗

Department of Foreign Affairs - Travel Advice

🔗

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service - Passports

🔗

Passport Online Application Portal

🔗

Citizens Information - Passports

Compare Ireland Passport with Other Passports

See how Ireland's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Ireland (You are here)	#5	187	88/100	94/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The Irish passport ranks 5th globally in 2025 with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 destinations. It peaked at rank 3 in 2024 with 192 destinations. Ireland's EU membership provides extensive travel freedom, making it one of the world's most powerful passports for global mobility.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Ireland's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Ireland Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 187 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 60 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Historical Ranking Trend

Ireland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 3 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Ireland Passport with Other Passports

See how Ireland's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Ireland (You are here)	#5	187	88/100	94/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Ireland passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Irish Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Ireland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Ireland Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Ireland Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Irish passport in 2025?

Can Irish passport holders live and work anywhere in the EU?

Do Irish citizens need a visa for the United States?

Which countries can Irish passport holders visit visa-free?

Do Irish passport holders need a visa for Australia or Canada?

Is military service mandatory for Irish citizens?

Can Irish passport holders travel to Russia and China without a visa?

What countries are visa-free for Irish citizens in Asia?

Which countries require visas for Irish passport holders?

Can Irish citizens use the UK e-gates and do they need a visa for Britain post-Brexit?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Ireland passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Irish Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Ireland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Ireland Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Ireland Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Irish passport in 2025?

Can Irish passport holders live and work anywhere in the EU?

Do Irish citizens need a visa for the United States?

Which countries can Irish passport holders visit visa-free?

Do Irish passport holders need a visa for Australia or Canada?

Is military service mandatory for Irish citizens?

Can Irish passport holders travel to Russia and China without a visa?

What countries are visa-free for Irish citizens in Asia?

Which countries require visas for Irish passport holders?

Can Irish citizens use the UK e-gates and do they need a visa for Britain post-Brexit?

Explore More Passport Rankings