Back to Compare Tool

Ireland vs United KingdomPassport Comparison 2026

Side-by-side comparison of Ireland and United Kingdom passports. The Ireland passport is stronger by 2 destinations.

Ireland flag
Ireland

Europe

#12

Rank

164

Mobility

114

Visa Free

#20

Rank

162

Mobility

111

Visa Free

Category Breakdown

Visa Free114 vs 111
IrelandUnited Kingdom
Visa on Arrival36 vs 36
IrelandUnited Kingdom
ETA6 vs 7
IrelandUnited Kingdom
e-Visa18 vs 16
IrelandUnited Kingdom
Visa Required15 vs 19
IrelandUnited Kingdom

Combined Passport Power

If you held both passports, your combined travel power would be:

#33

Combined Rank

158

Combined Score

+-6

Extra Destinations

Unique to Ireland (4)

Destinations only Ireland passport holders can access easily

Unique to United Kingdom (2)

Destinations only United Kingdom passport holders can access easily

Frequently Asked Questions

Which passport is stronger, Ireland or United Kingdom?

The Ireland passport is stronger in 2026. Ireland is ranked #12 with a mobility score of 164, while United Kingdom is ranked #20 with a score of 162 — a difference of 2 destinations.

How many visa-free destinations do Ireland and United Kingdom share?

Ireland and United Kingdom passport holders share visa-free or easy access to 152 common destinations. See the detailed comparison above for the complete breakdown of shared and unique destinations.

Can I travel with both a Ireland and United Kingdom passport?

If you hold dual citizenship with both Ireland and United Kingdom, you can use whichever passport gives better access to each destination. Combining both passports often unlocks more visa-free destinations than either passport alone.

What is the difference between Ireland and United Kingdom passport rankings?

Ireland is ranked #12 and United Kingdom is ranked #20 in the 2026 BorderIQ Passport Power Index. Ireland has a mobility score of 164 while United Kingdom has 162, a difference of 2 destinations.

Is it worth having both Ireland and United Kingdom passports?

Having both passports gives you the best visa access from each. While they share 152 common easy-access destinations, each passport provides unique access to additional countries. Check the unique destinations section above for the full advantage of holding both.

Compare Any Passports

Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 passports with detailed destination breakdowns.

Open Compare Tool