How come you don;t neede a passport to go from England to Ireland?

Question

So how come, I recall years ago when I went to Ireland (southern) I didn't need a passport which seemed strange as its a different country. It can't be an EU member state thing as you still need a passport to go to other European countries.

Southern Ireland isn't part of the United Kingdom, they got their independence a long time ago. Northern Ireland is part of the UK.

Answer 1

The UK and Ireland (as well as the Isle of Man and the Channel islands, which are also technically seperate countries) are part of the common travel area - passports have never (except during wartime) been required to travel between these countries. This is a remnant from when Ireland WAS part of the UK, it was never made a law that you have to show a passport once Ireland was declared independent. There is a similar situation in Scandinavia - you don't need a passport to travel between Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland (with a few exceptions).

There is a system called the Schengen agreement which means that travel between most European states would not require a passport. Ireland and the UK are not signiatories to the agreement however. You can travel all the way from Portugal to Austria without needing to show your passport once. Soon it will be possible to go as far as Poland, as some more eastern european countries will join shortly.

Answer 2

Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, my friend, but not Norther Ireland. Ireland uses Euros though, Uk Pounds.

Answer 3

It's part of the United Kingdom.

Answer 4

Aren't they both part of the United Kingdom? That's all I can think of.