German, Swiss and Austrian nationals only need a passport or identity card to enter Northern Ireland.
Issuing visas in Germany Visa department of the British Embassy
British Consulate General
Yorckstrasse 19
40476 Düsseldorf
Email: [email protected]
www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk
Issuing visas in Austria and Switzerland See under Representations from Great Britain in Austria or representations from Great Britain in Switzerland.
Import and export of foreign currency The import and export of foreign currency for personal use is permitted without restrictions.
Goods import and export The following articles can be imported duty-free into Great Britain and Northern Ireland (when entering from non-EU countries):
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco
2 l table wine
1 l of spirits over 22% or 2 l of alcoholic beverages up to 22% alcohol or 2 l of sparkling/liqueur wines
60 ml perfume and 250 ml eau de toilette
Goods up to a value of £ 145
The import and export of drugs, pornographic material, weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. This also applies to some weapons that can be legally purchased in Germany, such as CS gas spray cans, blank guns, knives with fixed blades or snap knives with blades longer than 7 cm. The import and export of plants and animals protected by the Washington Species Protection Act is also strictly prohibited.
Northern Ireland: getting there and transport
How do you get to Northern Ireland?
Direct flights with British Airways or BMI British Midland go from London and all major cities in Great Britain to Belfast. In addition, there are, for example, cheap direct flights with EasyJet from Berlin-Schönefeld. There are two international airports at Belfast and another at Derry.
Travel in the country
Railway Northern Ireland has a total rail network of approximately 340 km. The four main train connections run from Belfast to Derry or Portrush, to the port city of Larne, to Bangor and in a southerly direction to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.
More information is available at: www.nirailways.co.uk
Bus The relatively dense long-distance bus network connects all cities in Northern Ireland.
Roads Northern Ireland’s road network covers a total of 24,887 km. Motorways run from Belfast to Dungannon, Antrim and Ballymacarrett.
Rental cars Avis, Hertz and Europcar as well as numerous local car rental companies are available.
Taxis The main train stations, ports and the airport have taxi ranks. Taxis can also be booked by telephone in the larger towns.
Ferry connections There are the following ferry connections between Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Stranraer (southern Scotland) – Belfast (www.stenaline.com), Cairnryan (southern Scotland) or Fleetwood – Larne (www.irishferries.com), Troon, Heysham and Douglas (Isle of Man)) – Belfast (www.steam-packet.com) and Liverpool – Belfast (www.norsemerchant.com).
In addition, there is of course the option of entering Ireland. There is a ferry service between mainland Europe (Le Havre or Cherbourg) and Ireland (Rosslare) as well as between Great Britain (Pembroke) and Rosslare (www.irishferries.com).
There is also a regular ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island.
Traffic rules
To avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, drivers should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain more detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the Northern Ireland Transport Club.
Top speeds
Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 45 km/h (28 m/h).
Country roads: There is a speed limit of 96 km/h (60 m/h) on country roads.
Motorways: There is a speed limit of 112 km/h (70 m/h) on motorways, expressways and trunk roads.
In addition, it is of course necessary to pay attention to the current local speed limits, which are indicated by traffic signs.
Specific rules As in the rest of the UK, there is left-hand traffic.
Blood alcohol limit The official blood alcohol limit for drivers of motor vehicles in Northern Ireland is 0.08%.
International license plate
The Northern Ireland international license plate is that of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and reads:
