The government advises against all non-essential international travel.

All passengers coming into Ireland must:

• complete a Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form
• provide evidence that they have a negative or ‘not detected’ result from a COVID-19 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test carried out no more than 72 hours before they arrive into Ireland, or have evidence that they are exempt from this legal requirement

If you come to Ireland from any country not deemed ‘high risk’ you must quarantine at home provided you have a negative or ‘non detected’ PCR test

If you come to Ireland without a negative or ‘not detected PCR test you must complete at 14 day mandatory quarantine in a hotel

All passengers arriving into Ireland from ‘High risk’ designated States after 4am on the morning of Friday, 26 March are now required to pre-book accommodation in a designated quarantine facility, and to pre-pay for their stay. The estimated cost for the total stay in hotel is circa €1,875 per room. This cost covers all meals and transfer from Airport/Port and security. This price also includes two tests for Covid-19 free of charge. The list of current ‘high risk’ countries are as follows:

African countries

Angola, Botswana, Burundi , Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho Malawi, Eswatini, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia , Republic of South Africa, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

South American countries

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Other countries

Austria, United Arab Emirates

It is important to note that the list of designated states will be subject to change at short notice and travellers will be required to check the list before travelling to be sure of their obligations.

You must complete a mandatory hotel quarantine if you come from any country deemed “high risk’

This includes:

• if you have been in a ‘high risk’ country at any time in the 14 days before you arrive in Ireland
• if you have travelled through an airport or port in a ‘high risk’ country

Passengers will be required to complete 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine at a designated facility, this could be reduced if a passenger receives a not-detected result of a COVID-19 test that is taken after ten days. It may also be extended if a passenger tests positive during their stay.

Before travelling to Ireland, you must reserve and pay for a place in mandatory hotel quarantine.

If you fall into the category of traveller required to quarantine on arrival, it is an offence if you travel without making the booking in advance. For further information please see the following link

The Irish Defence Forces have been designated as the State Liaison Officer (SLO) to support Ireland’s mandatory hotel quarantine policy. Upon arrival in Ireland, passengers required to quarantine will be met by dedicated staff and accompanied to their onward transport to the mandatory quarantine facility. Passengers will be provided with useful information in relation to their mandatory quarantine.

Staff at the facility will greet you and take you through the check in process. They will also provide you with information relating to your stay including on food choices, exercise and wellbeing.

The Irish Defence Forces are available to support you from the moment you arrive in Ireland until you complete your mandatory hotel quarantine and exit the facility. They will be onsite 24/7 at your facility throughout your stay to liaise with the hotel service provider to ensure it is safe, secure and comfortable experience.

The current proposal sets out that it will be an offence not to enter mandatory hotel quarantine if you are a relevant passenger, or refuse to take a RT-PCR test as required, or leave or fail to return to a mandatory quarantine hotel. These offences will be at the same level as existing offences for noncompliance with existing travel regulations.

If you do not fulfil the legal requirement for mandatory hotel quarantine, you are committing an offence and can be fined up to €2,000 or get a prison sentence of up to 1 month, or both.

The Irish Police service, An Garda Síochána, will enforce any non-compliance issues.

For further information on mandatory hotel quarantine see the following link

The proposals also identify those to be exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine including passengers who are:

• arriving into the State in the course of duty and who hold a valid Annex 3 certificate (ensuring the availability of goods and essential services)
• arriving in the State in the course of duty and are drivers of a heavy goods vehicle
• airline pilots, aircrew, maritime master or maritime crew and who arrive in the State in the course of performing duties
• travelling to the State pursuant to an arrest warrant, extradition proceedings or other mandatory legal obligation
• a member of An Garda Síochána or Defence Forces and travelling to the State in course of duty
• travelling to the State in circumstances where for specific and very exceptional reasons, it was impossible for the person to obtain a PCR test before travelling and the person is in possession of written confirmation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the s/he has an urgent humanitarian reason for travelling
• travelling to the State for unavoidable, imperative and time-sensitive medical reasons and these reasons are certified by a registered medical practitioner or person with equivalent qualifications outside the State
• having been outside of the state to provide services to or perform the functions of an office holder (under any enactment or the Constitution) or a member of either house of the Oireachtas or the European Parliament
  diplomats and certain other categories of persons entitled to privileges and immunities in the State

However we recommend that anyone considering travel to Ireland should consult the following Government website beforehand