Israel Travel Guide for Irish Visitors (2026)

Ireland has a long tradition of Catholic Holy Land pilgrimage — organised by operators like Sunway Pilgrimages, Exodus Travel and parish groups throughout the country — and Israel is consistently among the top long-haul destinations for Irish religious and cultural travellers. This guide covers the essential practical information for Irish passport holders: ETA-IL requirements, flight options from Dublin, the Catholic pilgrimage circuit, the EHIC gap, currency and power adapters.

For the broader trip-planning picture, see the complete first-time visitor guide and the is Israel safe guide.

Entry requirements: ETA-IL for Irish passport holders

Irish citizens are visa-exempt for Israel — you do not need a full visa to enter Israel. However, since January 2025, all visa-exempt nationals (including Irish citizens) must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA-IL) before travelling.

Applying for the ETA-IL

• Apply at: iaa.gov.il — the official Israeli Airports Authority portal
• Fee: ₪25 (approximately €6–7; check the current ILS/EUR rate at XE.com — you pay in shekels as charged)
• Validity: 2 years, multiple entries
• Processing time: typically 72 hours to several days — apply at least one week before departure
• What you need: your passport number, date of birth and basic travel details — no supporting documents are required

The ETA-IL is not a guarantee of entry. All final admission decisions are made by Israeli immigration at the port of entry. Have your hotel booking and return flight confirmation ready when you arrive at Ben Gurion Airport.

Important note for pilgrimage groups: the ETA-IL is an individual application — each traveller in a pilgrimage group must apply separately. Tour operators cannot apply on behalf of their passengers. This is a common source of confusion for parish group organisers.

DFA travel advisory

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) publishes current travel advisories for Israel at ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/israel. Always check the DFA advisory before booking and before departing, as the advisory level may change.

A note on Ireland–Israel diplomatic relations

In May 2024, Ireland formally recognised the State of Palestine alongside Norway and Spain. This diplomatic decision does not affect Irish citizens’ right to travel to Israel. Irish passport holders continue to visit Israel on their passports with an ETA-IL. Ireland maintains an Embassy in Tel Aviv; Irish citizens who need consular assistance while in Israel should contact the Embassy of Ireland in Tel Aviv (see the DFA website for current contact details).

Flying from Ireland to Israel

Direct flights from Dublin: currently no scheduled service

There is currently no direct scheduled service between Dublin (DUB) and Tel Aviv (TLV). Ryanair has not operated any Israel flights since 2023 and has explicitly confirmed it will not restart TLV service for summer 2026 (source: corporate.ryanair.com press release). Irish travellers need to connect through a European or Middle East hub.

Connecting options from Ireland

When a direct route is not available, the most common connections from Dublin to Tel Aviv are:

Aer Lingus flies to London Heathrow, where you can connect to El Al’s daily LHR–TLV service. El Al operates the longest-running London–Tel Aviv route and is typically very reliable for connections. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul is often the most price-competitive connection from Dublin. For comparison across airlines and booking windows, see the cheap flights to Israel guide.

When to book

The cheapest fares from Ireland are typically in January–February and October–November, outside Israel’s peak seasons. The most expensive periods are Passover and Easter (March–April), the Jewish High Holidays (September–October) and July–August. Christmas and Hanukkah in December are also popular with pilgrimage groups and prices rise accordingly.

Catholic pilgrimage for Irish travellers

Irish Catholic pilgrimage to the Holy Land has a long history — supported by operators like Sunway Pilgrimages, Franciscan-organised parish tours and groups affiliated with Aid to the Church in Need. Irish church groups typically run 10–14 day programmes.

The core Holy Land pilgrimage circuit

Galilee Region:

• Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) — traditional wooden boat tours from Tiberias and Ginosar; guides read Gospel passages during the crossing; the Galilee Boat Museum at Kibbutz Ginosar holds a 2,000-year-old wooden fishing boat from the time of Jesus
• Church of the Beatitudes — hilltop Franciscan chapel at the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount; panoramic views across the lake
• Capernaum — the fishing village where Jesus lived and preached; octagonal Byzantine church over Peter’s house; ancient synagogue ruins
• Mount Tabor — the traditional site of the Transfiguration; Franciscan Basilica of the Transfiguration (1924, architect Antonio Barluzzi); note that private cars cannot drive to the summit — servees (shared taxis) operate from Daburiyya village at the base
• Yardenit Baptism Site — many Irish pilgrimage groups include baptism or baptismal renewal at the Jordan River; white robes are available for hire; see the Jordan River baptism guide for logistics

Nazareth:

• Basilica of the Annunciation — the largest church in the Middle East; the Lower Church’s mosaic collection includes national panels from around the world, including an Irish-donated panel
• Old Nazareth souk and Mary’s Well — the traditional water source at the time of the Annunciation; accessible on a walking tour of the Arab city centre

Jerusalem:

• Via Dolorosa — the fourteen Stations of the Cross through the Muslim and Christian Quarters of the Old City; the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land leads a public procession every Friday afternoon at 15:00; see the Via Dolorosa guide
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre — built over the crucifixion and resurrection sites according to Catholic tradition; the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land has maintained the Church’s Catholic sections since 1342; no entry fee; early morning (07:00–08:30) offers the quietest atmosphere before tour groups arrive
• Garden of Gethsemane — the ancient olive grove at the foot of the Mount of Olives; the Church of All Nations stands adjacent; Franciscan friars maintain both
• Mount of Olives panorama — sunrise views across the Old City are exceptional; the Dominus Flevit chapel (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem) is on the descent
• Room of the Last Supper (Cenacle) — on Mount Zion; the upper room traditionally associated with the Last Supper and Pentecost; entry free; access limited during daily prayer times

Bethlehem (West Bank):

• Church of the Nativity — the birthplace of Jesus; UNESCO World Heritage Site; located in Bethlehem, Palestinian Authority (Area A); accessible as a half-day trip from Jerusalem via the Checkpoint 300 crossing; see the Jerusalem–Bethlehem day trip guide for full logistics
• Shepherd’s Field and Milk Grotto — Beit Sahour, adjacent to Bethlehem; Franciscan chapel on the site traditionally associated with the shepherds of the nativity narrative

Irish Franciscan connection to the Holy Land

The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land has maintained Christian sacred sites in Israel and Palestine since 1342, under a mandate originally granted by the Mamluk sultan. Ireland has historically supported the Franciscan Custody through the Franciscan Province of Ireland and the Terra Sancta collection taken up in Irish churches. Irish visitors often find the Franciscan friars at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity particularly welcoming to Irish pilgrim groups.

Health insurance and the EHIC gap

The EHIC does not cover Israel

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — issued to Irish residents by the HSE — is valid for emergency medical treatment in EU and EEA countries only. Israel is not a member of the EU or the EEA. Your EHIC is not accepted in Israeli hospitals, clinics or ambulances.

Medical costs for uninsured tourists in Israel can be substantial — emergency room treatment may cost several thousand euro equivalent.

Before travelling to Israel:

1. Check whether your existing travel insurance explicitly covers Israel (not all policies include Middle East destinations)
2. If not covered, take out a standalone travel insurance policy including emergency medical, hospitalisation and medical evacuation cover
3. Confirm the policy is valid for Israel specifically — read the exclusions carefully

Irish and international providers

• Allianz Travel Ireland — widely available through travel agents and online
• AXA Travel Insurance — available through AXA Ireland directly
• InsureMyHoliday.ie — Irish comparison site for travel policies
• SafetyWing and World Nomads — international providers popular with Irish travellers; both explicitly cover Israel; monthly subscription option suitable for longer stays

Currency and money in Israel

Euro is not the currency in Israel

Israel’s currency is the New Israeli Shekel (₪). Euro cash is occasionally accepted at tourist-oriented shops in the Old City or at large hotels, but you should not rely on paying in euro.

Practical money tips for Irish travellers

• Irish bank cards (Visa/Mastercard) — AIB, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Permanent TSB and Credit Union Visa/Mastercard debit and credit cards are accepted at Israeli ATMs and card terminals; always inform your bank before travel to prevent transactions being blocked
• Revolut — enormously popular with Irish travellers; works at Israeli ATMs at mid-market rates; strongly recommended to carry alongside a standard bank card as a backup
• Wise debit card — similar to Revolut; converts at mid-market rates without dynamic currency conversion fees
• Euro cash — bring a small amount of euro to exchange at Israeli cambio offices if needed; exchange desks at Ben Gurion Airport and in the Mahane Yehuda and Old City markets are competitive

When withdrawing from Israeli ATMs, always select “charge in local currency (NIS)” — do not accept the terminal’s offer to charge in euro, which applies a bank-unfavourable rate.

Power adapter

Ireland uses the Type G plug (the same three-rectangular-pin plug used in the UK and Ireland; 230V/50Hz). Israel uses the Type H socket (three pins in a distinctive V-shape; 230V/50Hz).

Voltage: Both countries run at 230V — the voltage is identical. Your Irish phone chargers, laptop adapter and camera charger will work in Israel with just a plug adapter; no voltage converter is needed.

Adapter: You need a Type G to Type H plug adapter. These are available from Argos, Currys, Harvey Norman and Woodies DIY in Ireland; universal travel adapters covering Type H are widely available. Adapters are also sold at Ben Gurion Airport on arrival.

Mobile phones and connectivity

Irish mobile operators — Vodafone Ireland, Eir, Three Ireland and Tesco Mobile — all support international roaming in Israel but roaming rates can be significant. Check your carrier’s international roaming day-pass or add-on before departure.

Better options for Irish travellers:

1. Israeli tourist SIM — available from Golan Telecom and Hot Mobile kiosks in the Ben Gurion Airport arrivals hall (typically open around the clock); a 30-day unlimited-data SIM costs approximately ₪50–90; your Irish phone must be SIM-unlocked — confirm with your Irish carrier before travel
2. eSIM — Airalo and Nomad offer Israel data eSIMs activatable before departure; compatible with most modern iPhones (XS and later) and Android handsets; allows you to keep your Irish number active for incoming calls while having an Israeli data line

Quick reference for Irish travellers

Planning your Israel trip from Ireland

A 10–14 day itinerary is well-suited to the main Holy Land pilgrimage circuit from Ireland: 3 nights Jerusalem (Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Cenacle, Western Wall, Yad Vashem); 2 nights Galilee (Sea of Galilee boat, Capernaum, Church of the Beatitudes, Yardenit, Nazareth Basilica); a Bethlehem morning (Church of the Nativity); 2 nights Tel Aviv (Jaffa, Mahane Yehuda, Mediterranean coast); optional extension: Dead Sea or Eilat.

The 5 vs 7 vs 10 days guide helps calibrate trip length. For the full pilgrimage circuit in depth, see the Christian pilgrimage Holy Land guide. For transport logistics between cities, see the Israel transportation guide.