Travel Insurance for Ireland

The people of Ireland are also known for their hospitality as they are quite friendly with tourists. Moreover, Ireland’s capital Dublin has been designated as the UNESCO City of Literature.

The island country of Ireland is breathtakingly gorgeous and comes with a combination of sprawling landscapes, rugged cliffs and pristine beaches. The Cliffs of Meher is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country while Dingle Bay gives you a breathtaking view of the peninsula.

Art and history fanatics can explore the various museums in the country and learn about its rich history without paying a dime. You can also enjoy the Irish pub culture while in Dublin.

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A trip to Ireland sounds like a scene from your favourite romance novel. But adversities can occur even in the most perfect settings. Getting injured while exploring a castle or getting sick due to the cold weather is highly possible in Ireland. Besides, you never know when you end up losing your passport or wallet. Staying prepared for such unforeseen adversities with the help of travel insurance for Ireland is the best protection that you can opt for.

Buying travel insurance for Ireland is compulsory for Indian citizens travelling to this European country. Therefore., it is advisable to cover your trip with an Ireland travel insurance policy so that any adversity during your trip does not lead to financial distress.

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Entry Essentials to Ireland

All Indian nationals require a valid Ireland visa for Indians to visit the country of Ireland. Whether you want to travel to Ireland for work or for meeting your family, you need to obtain a valid visa from the Embassy of Ireland. The Ireland visa will not be granted on arrival at the Ireland airport and needs to be obtained before commencing your trip to the European country.

Types of Ireland Visa for Indians

Broadly, the Embassy of Ireland offers three types of Ireland visa for Indians. They are:

• Short Stay Visa
  • Tourist Visa
  • Business Visa
  • Family/Friend Visa
  • Conference/ Event Visa
  • Employment (AWS) Visa
  • Exam Visa
  • Internship Visa
  • Join Ship Visa
  • Marriage Visa
  • Medical Treatment Visa
  • Performance or Tournament Visa
  • Training Visa
• Long Stay Visa
  • Study Visa
  • Join a Family Member Visa
  • Employment Visa
  • Employment Researcher Visa
  • Minister of Religion Visa
  • Volunteer Visa
• Re-Entry Visa

The Short Stay ‘C’ visa allows its holders to travel and stay in Ireland for a period of 90 days or less. It can be applied by Indian nationals who want to visit Ireland for tourism, training, exam, internship, business activities, medical treatment, atypical employment, to meet friends or family, get married, attend an event or conference, join a ship and participate in a tournament.

The Long Stay ‘D’ visa allows its holders to stay in Ireland for more than 90 days. It can be applied by Indians who need to travel to Ireland to study, work, research, join a family member, volunteer and as a minister of religion.

A Re-Entry visa allows kids under 16 years of age to re-enter Ireland to stay with their family member who has an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or GNIB card.

You must apply for an Ireland visa for Indians based on the purpose of your trip to Ireland. For instance, if you are travelling on a vacation to Ireland, you must apply for a Tourist visa. Similarly, if you want to study in Ireland, you must apply for a Study visa.

Documents Required for Ireland Visa

All applicants of Ireland visa needs to submit certain documents at the time of applying. Take a look at the list of required documents as per the type of Ireland visa:

Documents for Short Stay Visa:

• Visa application summary sheets
• A valid passport with at least 6 months validity after your scheduled departure from Ireland
• Copies of all previous passports (if applicable)
• Two passport size colour photograph with visa application transaction number & sign at the back
• Application letter stating the purpose of your visit and travel dates
• Proof of accommodation in Ireland
• Travel insurance for Ireland
• Proof of financial capability to afford the trip to Ireland, such as bank statement
• Detailed letter of your trip itinerary along with accommodation details
• Strong evidence for your intended return to India
• Proof of Ireland visa application fee payment (if required)
• Letter describing your travel plan if you are arriving from or travelling to another country from Ireland (if applicable)
• Visa for the other country from where you are arriving or planning to travel from Ireland (if applicable)
• Letter from your family/ friend/ host company/ event organiser in Ireland paying for your Ireland trip (if applicable)
• Proof of financial capability of the family/friend in Ireland sponsoring your trip (if applicable)
• Letter from your sponsor with their contact details (if applicable)
• Proof of your sponsor’s financial capability to afford your trip to Ireland (if applicable)
• Invitation letter from the family/ friend/ host company in Ireland (if applicable)
• Letter from the conference/event/tournament organiser mentioning its details and your registration for it (if applicable)
• Letter from your employer in India mentioning details of the work or training in Ireland (if applicable)
• Valid Atypical Working Scheme approval letter (if applying for Employment AWS visa)
• Proof of examination in Ireland and your registration (if travelling to take an exam)
• Letter from your university in India mentioning your course and internship need (if travelling for an internship)
• Seafarer’s Identity Document (if travelling to join a ship)
• Proof of your intention to marry in Ireland (if travelling to get married)
• Proof of your relationship with your prospective spouse (if travelling to get married)
• Letter from your referral hospital in India (if travelling for medical treatment)
• Letter from a private hospital in Ireland (if travelling for medical treatment)
• Letter describing visa refusal by any country in the past (if applicable)

Documents for Long Stay Visa:

• Visa application summary sheets
• A valid passport with at least 6 months validity after your scheduled departure from Ireland
• Copies of all previous passports (if applicable)
• Two passport size colour photograph with visa application transaction number & sign at the back
• Application letter stating the purpose of your visit and travel dates
• Proof of financial capability to afford your stay in Ireland
• Travel insurance for Ireland
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Proof of Ireland visa application fee payment (if required)
• Proof of accommodation in Ireland (if required)
• Proof of academic qualification (if required)
• Proof of previous work experiences (if required)
• Details of your family members (if required)
• Documents proving sponsor’s status (if applicable)
• Proof of relationship between you and your sponsor (if applicable)
• Proof of your sponsor’s eligibility to afford your stay (if applicable)
• Proof of financial dependency on your sponsor (if applicable)
• Letter of Acceptance from a private college in Ireland (if travelling to study)
• Proof to account for any gaps in your educational history (if travelling to study)
• Proof of course fee payment (if travelling to study)
• Proof of your basic knowledge of the English or Irish language (if travelling to study)
• Employment permit from Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (if travelling to work)
• Letter from the employer in Ireland (if travelling to work)
• Employment contract (if applicable)
• Copy of hosting agreement with an accredited research organisation in Ireland (if travelling for research)
• Sponsorship letter (if applicable)
• Garda Vetting (if applicable)
• Letter describing visa refusal by any country in the past (if applicable)
• Birth certificate (in case of a minor)
• Consent letter from the parent/ legal guardian (in case of a minor)

Documents for Re-Entry Visa:

• Re-entry visa application forms for minors
• A valid passport
• Original birth certificate
• Proof of parent’s or guardian’s identity
• Proof of guardianship arrangement (if you live with your guardian)
• Evidence that you live in Ireland
• Two passport size colour photograph

Ireland Visa Procedure

To apply for an Ireland visa for Indians, you need to submit your visa application to the Embassy of Ireland in India. Given below is the procedure to apply for an Ireland visa for Indians:

• Visit the official website of the Embassy of Ireland in India
• Select the ‘Visas’ category on the menu bar
• Go to the ‘Applying for an Irish visa’ option
• Scroll down and click on the ‘How to Apply’ tab
• Click on the link for ‘online visa application form’
• Fill in the AVATS online application form
• Print the summary of your visa application form
• Go to the ‘Payment details’ option on the ‘Applying for an Irish visa’ page
• Click on the link to pay the visa fees under India
• Fill in the details, pay the visa fees and book an appointment at the website of VFS Global
• Submit the signed summary of the application form along with other documents at the visa application centre on the day of your appointment
• Give your biometric details
• Check the visa decision on the Embassy’s website

If the Embassy of Ireland refuses your visa application, you can file for a visa appeal within two months of receiving the refusal letter/ notice.

In case of a query, you can directly contact the Embassy/ Consulates of Ireland in India with the help of the following details:

Ireland Travel Insurance

If you love being outdoors and admire nature’s beauty, you will enjoy your time in Ireland. However, the island country comes with its own share of travel risks. Even though the overall crime level is low, you must avoid travelling alone at night in Ireland. You may also be a victim of pickpocketing at tourist areas or mugging outside pubs at night. Moreover, accidents and sickness can happen even while you are vacationing in  Ireland.

Adversities like these have the potential to spoil your trip and also land you into deep financial distress. For instance, getting robbed of your money will unnecessarily increase your trip expenses. If you avail medical facilities for your illness or injuries, you can end up incurring high medical costs that again upsets your trip budget. Such incidents may force you to compromise on your enjoyment or curtail your trip.

The only way to continue with your trip without getting burdened by unforeseen financial losses is by purchasing travel insurance for Ireland. An Ireland travel insurance policy covers your trip against sudden adversities faced during your Ireland trip that can lead to monetary losses. It allows you to visit Ireland without worrying about uncertainties. With travel insurance for Ireland, your insurance company will pay for financial losses arising out of unforeseen events encountered during the trip.

Travel insurance for Ireland not only covers you against medical and financial adversities but also travel-related contingencies faced during your trip to Ireland. Some of the common  coverage offered by travel insurance plans for Ireland are medical emergencies, financial emergency cash, loss of passport, medical evacuation, baggage loss, trip cancellation, accidental death & disability, missed connection flight, compassionate visit, repatriation of mortal remains, flight delays, etc.

As per the guidelines issued by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), buying travel insurance for Ireland before commencing your trip is mandatory for all applicants of Ireland visa for Indians. If you do not have a valid Ireland travel insurance policy for your trip, you will be denied a visa for the country.

At the time of buying travel insurance for Ireland, you can customize your coverage as per your travel needs. If not, then you can go ahead with one of the following types of Ireland travel insurance plans offered by insurance companies in India:

• International Travel Insurance
• Corporate Travel Insurance
• Student Travel Insurance
• Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
• Senior Citizen Travel Insurance
• Family Travel Insurance
• Group Travel Insurance

Best Time to Visit Ireland

Ireland is a wonderful destination to visit round the year. However, the summer season and the spring season is considered the best time to visit this island country. Summers are the driest time of the year in Ireland with longer daylight hours. It will allow you to explore Ireland with less chance of rains. This is probably the reason why summer is the peak season for tourists, which makes everything in Ireland expensive. In case you want to enjoy Ireland with a lesser crowd but pleasant weather, the spring season is the time.

Thus, the best time to visit Ireland is during May to September i.e. the summer season for the ideal weather and from March to April i.e. the spring season for a lesser crowd.

Transportation in Ireland

The country of Ireland is well-connected with multiple modes of transportation available. Here are the various modes of transportation that you can use to travel around Ireland:

• Air - Travelling by air is the most convenient way of entering Ireland. It is also the fastest way of travelling from one corner of the country to another. But given the small size of Ireland, domestic air travel is not very common in the country.
• Rail - After flights, trains are the fastest way of commuting in Ireland. The country has a vast rail network that connects different parts of the country. Most of the railway lines go from Dublin to other towns and cities. You can either opt for a single journey or a round trip while buying a train ticket. Make sure to book the tickets in advance to avoid paying a hefty fare.
• Car - Hiring a car is one of the best ways to travel to remote areas and small towns of Ireland. You can travel at your own pace and can explore offbeat places. Besides, Ireland also follows left-hand side driving like India. Just make sure to have a valid international driver’s license before hiring a car in Ireland. However, hiring a car for travelling within Dublin is not recommended because traffic and parking is an issue in the city.
• Bus - The bus network in Ireland is pretty impressive as it reaches almost every town in the country. The frequency, however, may be a challenge in smaller towns. The bus service in Ireland is reliable and way more affordable than other modes of transportation. But travelling within Irish cities through a bus is a great idea.
• Taxi - Taxi is another great way of travelling around Ireland. You get the comfort of the car without the need for driving yourself. However, a taxi is any day more expensive than travelling by bus.
• Bike - Bikes are one of the best ways of exploring the countryside of Ireland. They are widely available and highly affordable. You can easily rent a bike to explore the less explored roads of Ireland. However, do not use a bike on motorways as it is illegal.
• Ferry - If you need to travel from one Irish port to another, you can commute via a ferry. They help you cut the travel time on the road and pretty affordable. Besides, you can also take your bike on the ferry while travelling.

International Airports in Ireland

Ireland Weather

Ireland has an oceanic climate with cool, cloudy and rainy weather. The country’s weather is neither extremely hot nor freezing cold. Besides, it receives frequent rainfall throughout the year, which is the reason behind its sprawling green landscapes. Nonetheless, Ireland experiences four seasons in a year:

• Spring: March to April
• Summer: May to September
• Autumn: October to November
• Winter: December to February

January is the coldest month of Ireland with the temperature going as low as 7 degrees Celcius. On the other hand, July is the warmest month in Ireland with the temperature rising as high as 20 degrees Celcius.

Northern Ireland is the coolest part of the country. The southeast coast of Ireland has more pleasant and has the best weather. The western coast is windier as it is exposed to the Atlantic ocean. Snowfall is very rare in the country. Besides, the weather in Ireland is unpredictable and it can easily turn from sunny to cloudy to rainy within the same day.

If you are sensitive to frequent weather change and get sick as soon as the weather gets cooler, your chances of availing healthcare facilities during your Ireland trip is pretty high. So, don’t forget to carry travel insurance for Ireland to avoid paying for such medical expenses.

Top Tourist Spots in Ireland

Ireland is a variety of tourist attractions to capture the interest of different kinds of people. The Giant’s Causeway and the Rock of Cashel are the two must-visit places for every foreigner arriving in the country. Let’s take a look at the top tourist spots that you must visit during your stay in Ireland:

• Cliffs of Moher
• Glendalough
• Dingle Bay
• Giant’s Causeway
• Rock of Cashel
• Killarney National Park
• Trinity College
• Blarney Castle
• Newgrange
• Guinness Storehouse
• Burren National Park
• Aran Islands

Eating Out in Ireland

A trip to Ireland is incomplete without sampling the local Irish delicacies. The traditional Irish dishes are made from local ingredients and are turned into comforting mouth-watering food. Potato is a staple ingredient in most traditional Ireland dishes.

Relish a pot full of Irish stew for a hearty comfort meal on a cold winter day at Arthurs Pub in Dublin. You can enjoy the stew, a soup with Irish soda bread on the side slathered with creamy Irish butter. Don’t forget to try Barmbrack or a sweet Irish dried fruit bread while sipping your afternoon tea.

When in Ireland, make sure to start your day with a full Irish breakfast consisting of a mix of eggs, soda bread, fried tomato, bacon, black pudding, hash brown, baked beans, etc. at a pub near you. Vegetarians can enjoy the delicious Boxty or a potato pancake in the morning with a side dish of their choice while staying in Sligo or Mayo.

Seafood lovers must try the juicy oysters while visiting Galway. Don’t forget to try the Colcannon or a mashed potato dish along with your main meal. You can also sample Coddle or a popular stew-based dish in the city of Dublin. Besides, trying the Irish coffee and Irish Whisky is a must for every foreigner arriving in the country.

Ireland holds several food festivals throughout the year including the popular Dingle Food Festival in October, Oyster Festival in Galway in September, Comber Earlies Food Festival in June, Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival in July, Armagh Food & Cider Festival and Waterford Harvest Festival in September, etc.

You can also sample delicious food at popular food trucks in Ireland such as the Salty Buoy in Wicklow & Dublin, C.R.A.F.T in West Cork, Julia’s Lobster Truck in County Clare, etc.

In case you miss Indian food during your Ireland trip, you can relish them at Rasam Restaurant & Konkan Indian Restaurant in Dublin, Haveli & Bombay Palace in Cork, Cafe Goa in Waterford, Oran Tandoori in Galway, etc.

Things to Do in Ireland

Ireland is a gorgeous place with mesmerizing natural beauty, enchanting villages and loads of adventure. If you love travelling, you will have a wonderful time exploring different landscapes in Ireland.

The Cliffs of Moher and the Glendalough are a must-visit during your stay in Ireland. If you love ancient architecture, you will appreciate the beauty of various castles including the Rock of Cashel and the Blarney Castle. You can also admire the colourful building while visiting Cobh.

Get mesmerized by the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean by driving the Wild Atlantic Way. You can also go sailing in the water in West Cork or Dublin. Or you can simply spend a blissful day at Kilmurvey Beach in Aran Islands.

Don’t forget to go pub hopping during your stay in Dublin. You can also sample Guinness brew at the famous Guinness Storehouse in the capital.

Indian Embassy Information in Ireland

In case of an emergency in Ireland, you can get in touch with the Indian Embassy in Dublin. Here are the details of the Embassy: