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TRAVELLING ABROAD
From Department of Defence; Office of Emergency Planning
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From Department of Defence; Office of Emergency Planning
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Public Health Advice
When making decisions about international travel, you should consider your overall health, vaccine status, and the public health situation in other countries. If you contract COVID-19 when abroad, you may face delays and additional costs before returning to Ireland. You should also be aware that COVID-19 restrictions are subject to change at short notice.
Travel Planning
We strongly recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance, which can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.
As an Irish resident you are entitled to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland if you are ill or injured while on a temporary stay there. Ensure that you get or renew your EHIC (the new name for the E111) before you go, and remember, you need one for every person travelling in your group.
We provide a range of help and support to citizens in distress abroad. 24/7 emergency consular assistance is available through our Embassies and Consulates and through the Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin.
Assistance is provided within the remit of our Consular Assistance Charter - Department of Foreign Affairs
If you experience difficulty while abroad and require consular assistance, the relevant Embassy or Consulate can be contacted here.
If you are in Ireland and calling on behalf of a family member or loved one abroad, the Consular Assistance Unit can be contacted on +353 (0)1 4082527 during office hours or out of hours on +353 (0)1 4082000, in the event of a genuine emergency.
Alternatively, you can send us your query in writing here: Consular Assistance Contact Form - Department of Foreign Affairs
We recommend that all citizens travelling abroad register with their local Embassy or Consulate: Citizens’ Registration - Department of Foreign Affairs This information will allow us to contact you in the event of a crisis or emergency in that location. Please note that you should only ring out of hours or use Consular Directorate’s emergency assistance phone number in the event of a genuine emergency.