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COVID-19 Travel Advice

  • Know before you go - if you are departing from Ireland to another country, please visit dfa for all the information you need. If you are visiting Ireland from abroad, please visit; gov.ie to find out the requirements to enter Ireland.
  • These are the official and the very best sources of information for departing and arriving passengers from Ireland and abroad:
    • The Department of Foreign Affairs website - click here
    • The Government of Ireland website for international travel - click here
  • We also recommend that you check with your airline as advice and entry requirements are subject to change.
  • To find out more about entry requirements within the EU with an EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate, click here.

Irish residents travelling - EU travel 

  • When you are fully vaccinated by the HSE, you will receive your EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate by email or receive a printed version in the post.
  • If you need to travel soon and require an EU Covid-19 Digital Certificate, please contact the Irish Government emergency helpline number: 1800 851 504.
  • If not yet fully vaccinated, you must have evidence of a negative/not detected result from a RT-PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival, and as part of your EU Digital COVID Certificate.
  • If you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months, please contact your local GP or the HSE for advice.
  • Upon your return to Cork Airport, you must present your EU Digital COVID Certificate and a completed electronic Passenger Locator Form. Both electronic and printed versions of the certificate are accepted.   

The EU Digital COVID Certificate means:

  • For fully vaccinated or EU DCC recovered travellers, no pre-departure RT-PCR test, or further day 5 RT-PCR test or quarantine required.
  • For non-fully vaccinated or EU DCC recovered travellers, evidence of a negative/not detected result from a RT-PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival is required. Then no quarantine required, however a day-5 RT-PCR test is recommended (provided free through HSE).

Passenger Locator Form – Departure and Arrival 

  • All passengers, Irish resident, EU and non-EU must complete the electronic Passenger Locator Form online in advance of travel and is a requirement for boarding your flight. To complete this form click here.
  • Also, everyone who enters the Irish state must present a completed electronic Passenger Locator Form and have this done in advance of travel. To find out more click here.
  • The Irish Government is working towards an enhanced Passenger Locator Form system, which is expected to be in operation by the 26th July.

Arriving passengers 

From July 19, the requirements for passengers arriving into Ireland are as follows:

The EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) for travel originating within the EU/EEA, which will show if the person travelling: 

  • is vaccinated against COVID-19;
  • has recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months; or
  • has received a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

Not “Emergency Brake” Countries (including US/UK)

  • For those with evidence of being fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID, there is no requirement for pre-departure RT-PCR test, or further day-5 RT-PCR test or quarantine. 
  • For all those not vaccinated or recovered from COVID, the requirement is for a pre-departure RT-PCR test (taken in previous 72 hours before arrival) AND require 14-day home quarantine with release after a negative day-5 RT-PCR test.
  • And a completed electronic Passenger Locator Form.

Travel from or through “Emergency Brake” Countries

  • Even for those fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID, there is a requirement for pre-departure RT-PCR test (taken in previous 72 hours before arrival). Home quarantine on arrival will apply with release after a negative day-5 RT-PCR test.
  • For all those not vaccinated or recovered, the requirement is for a pre-departure PCR test (taken in previous 72 hours before arrival) AND mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine with release after a negative day 0 and day 10 RT-PCR test.
  • And a completed electronic Passenger Locator Form 

Mandatory Hotel Quarantine

  • The Irish Government has also implemented a mandatory hotel quarantine for all passengers arriving from Category 2 countries. For a list of Category 2 countries and for more information, please visit gov.ie.

The exemption for children having to have a RT-PCR test is also being raised from 6 and under to 11 and under.

Accompanying Children:

  • Children aged 11 or under will not require any pre-departure tests to travel into Ireland. 
  • Children aged 12-17 will be required to present a pre-departure negative RT-PCR taken in previous 72 hours before arrival. 
  • Children of any age, travelling with accompanying vaccinated or recovered adults will not be required to self-quarantine post arrival. [Where travelling with both vaccinated/recovered and unvaccinated/recovered adults (who are required to home quarantine), children should also home quarantine]
  • However, in any event, in respect of children aged 12 and over, public health recommends still doing the free day 5 test.

Connecting passengers 

As advice and rules are constantly changing, any connecting passengers through Cork Airport should visit gov.ie prior to commencing your trip for the latest travel advice.

You will require evidence of a negative/not detected PCR test administered within 72 hours of travel and a completed electronic Passenger Locator Form in advance of travel and arrival.

COVID-19 tests

  • If you require a COVID-19 test, you can use a local test centre near you or there are two private companies operating at Cork Airport. To find our more, click here.
  • When outside of Ireland, please ensure to arrange for a test to be taken no more than 72 hours before arrival back to Ireland.

Health and travel documents

  • We suggest you save all your travel documents and certificates in one place or in your mobile phone wallet, so you have both your passport and documents ready for contactless presentation.
  • We also recommend that you have a printed copy of your health documents, e.g. EU Digital COVID Certificate, just in case of an issue with your mobile phone.
  • It is always a good idea to a keep a scan or photocopy of your Passport in the eventuality that it gets lost or stolen.

When to arrive at the Airport

Please arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before your scheduled flight departure time and at least 2 hours 30 minutes before your charter flight departure time.

Don’t forget your face masks 

It is now a legal requirement that all passengers wear a face mask or appropriate face covering throughout their full airport journey. Passenger should come to the airport with their face masks, but if new or more are required, masks will be available to purchase from vending machines and other outlets throughout the airport. 

Exemptions only apply to children under the age of 13 or passengers who can provide evidence of a valid medical reason. 

Check airline hand baggage rules 

Please check with your airline the number and type of carry-on bags allowed. 

Prepare for Security screening

The Security screening process itself has not changed; we have just added extra safety measures to protect you. 

Remember: 

  • Ideally only 1 piece of hand baggage per person
  • Separate out liquids, gels and pastes into one single, clear one litre plastic bag with each container no bigger than 100ml
  • No sharp objects, have all electronic devices out and in the tray, along with shoes, jackets, coins and jewellery

View our Travel Advice Checklist