Europe

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Ireland. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6.  The WHO website has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of health website.
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
• We recommend you carry an acceptable form of photo-identification for travel between the UK and Ireland.
• The currency in Ireland is the Euro.
• Around 3.8 million British tourists visit Ireland each year (Source: Failte Ireland – National Tourism Development Authority).  134 British nationals required consular assistance in Ireland in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (24 cases); hospitalisations (12 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (52 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (493 cases).  Most incidents occur in the Dublin area.  If you need to contact the emergency services in Ireland call 112.
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  Travel insurance