Ireland entry requirements for Romania passport holders

Checked daily · Updated June 1, 2026·View sources
No visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Romanian passport holders can travel to Ireland for tourism or short business stays without a visa. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This has been the case since 2025 and continues in 2026.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay
Your Romanian passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to be in Ireland. Ireland does not enforce a 6-month validity rule beyond your departure date, but your airline might — check with them before you fly.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Ireland
Immigration officers at Dublin and Shannon routinely ask for proof you're leaving. Have a return flight booking or an onward ticket to a non-Schengen country ready. A bus or ferry ticket to Northern Ireland also counts.Recommended
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. A hotel confirmation or a signed letter from a friend in Ireland with their address works fine.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself
Have a bank statement or credit card showing you have enough money for your stay. There's no fixed amount, but roughly €50–€100 per day is a safe benchmark. Cash is rarely checked, but a card with a decent limit is smart.Recommended
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you land in Ireland, not from your departure date. If your passport expires sooner, renew it before you travel — you could be denied boarding.
Keep your return ticket handy
Immigration officers at Dublin Airport often ask to see your return or onward ticket. Have a screenshot saved on your phone or a printed copy in your hand luggage. Don't rely on mobile data — airport WiFi can be spotty.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at Dublin Airport (or other port of entry)
You'll go through immigration control. At Dublin Airport, join the 'Non-EU/EEA' queue. Have your passport, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation ready. The officer will ask about your trip purpose and length of stay. Answer clearly and honestly.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport and any requested documents. The officer may scan your passport and take a photo. They'll likely ask where you're staying and when you're leaving. Keep your answers short and direct.
3
Receive entry stamp
If approved, you'll get an entry stamp in your passport. Check the date — it shows how long you're allowed to stay. Usually it's 90 days. Keep the stamp readable; don't let it get wet or damaged.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. If you have nothing to declare, use the green channel. You're free to enter Ireland.
Download Ireland Entry Checklist
PDF · Romania Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 1, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost€80 (approx. $88 USD)

For those who want a longer stay than visa-free allows; must apply before travel.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per visit
Validity1 year
Cost€160 (approx. $176 USD)

Allows multiple entries; useful for frequent travellers.

Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days (up to 1 year)
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€100 (approx. $110 USD)

For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.

work visa
General Employment Permit
2 years, renewable
€1,000 (approx. $1,100 USD) application fee
For skilled workers with a job offer from an Irish employer. Requires a labour market test and minimum salary threshold.
Apply
student visa
Stamp 2 (Student Permission)
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
€300 (approx. $330 USD) registration fee
For enrolled full-time students at recognised Irish institutions. Allows part-time work during term and full-time during holidays.
Apply
investor visa
Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)
2 years, renewable, leads to permanent residence
€1,000,000 (approx. $1,100,000 USD) minimum investment
For high-net-worth individuals investing in Irish enterprise or funds. Requires minimum investment and clean background.
Apply
retirement visa
Stamp 0 (Retirement Permission)
1 year, renewable annually
€300 (approx. $330 USD) registration fee
For retirees with sufficient independent means (€50,000+ per year) and private health insurance. No work allowed.
Apply
Other fees
ServiceCost
Stay extension (beyond 90 days)Extension is possible only in exceptional circumstances; apply before current permission expires.€300 (approx. $330 USD)
Overstay fine per dayOverstaying can also lead to deportation and future entry bans.€100 per day (approx. $110 USD), max €1,000 (approx. $1,100 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Ireland

No transit visa needed

Romanian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Ireland, as they are visa-free for short stays.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsDublin Airport (DUB) · Shannon Airport (SNN) · Cork Airport (ORK)

Health & vaccines for Ireland

Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, flu)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)Recommended
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk

Rare but present in rural areas; avoid tick bites.

Lyme diseaseLow risk

Transmitted by ticks in wooded areas; use repellent and check for ticks.

Seasonal influenzaModerate risk

Common in winter months; vaccination recommended.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Dublin
Immigration Service Delivery (ISD)
13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, D02 XK70
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

Main office for registration, extensions, and re-entry permits. Book appointment online.

Cork
Cork City Immigration Office
Anglesea Street, Cork, T12 YN45
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00

Handles local registrations and queries; limited extension services.

Practical information for RO travellers

Country basics
CapitalDublin
LanguageIrish, English
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 12 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
updated Jun 3
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
GType G (three rectangular prongs)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Ireland.
Emergency numbers
Police112
Medical112
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

If you're a Romanian passport holder transiting through Ireland (e.g., flying from Bucharest to New York with a layover in Dublin), you do not need a transit visa. You can stay in the airport's transit area without passing through immigration. However, if you need to leave the airport or switch terminals that require exiting, you'll need to go through immigration as a visitor.
No, the 90-day visa-free stay cannot be extended for tourism or short business. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a long-stay visa (e.g., work, study, or family reunification) before your 90 days expire. Overstaying can lead to a ban from Ireland and the Schengen area.
Overstaying is a serious violation. You may be fined, deported, and banned from re-entering Ireland and the Schengen area for up to 5 years. If you realize you've overstayed, contact the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) immediately to regularize your status.
No, Romanian citizens do not need to register with the Garda (Irish police) or any immigration office for stays under 90 days. For longer stays, you must apply for a residence permit within 90 days of arrival.
No, the visa-free entry is for tourism, business meetings, and short-term study only. You cannot take up employment or work as a freelancer without a valid work visa or permit. If you plan to work, apply for the appropriate visa before traveling.
Always have your passport (valid 6+ months), return or onward ticket, and proof of first-night accommodation. It's also wise to carry travel insurance details and proof of sufficient funds (bank statement or credit card). Keep these in your hand luggage, not checked bags.
No, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, not Ireland. If you plan to visit Northern Ireland (e.g., Belfast), you need a UK visa or must be eligible for UK visa-free travel. Romanian passport holders can visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa, but you'll need to go through UK border control separately.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 1, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.