The Brexit agreement clearly restricts short trip visits to a maximum 90 days within one 180-day period.

On average, it takes just under five years from the opening of accession negotiations, but the timeframe depends on the ability of the candidate country to achieve the necessary domestic reforms, as well as the level of political will on all sides to see the process through. Which countries want to join the EU?

Three territories of EU member states have withdrawn: French Algeria (in 1962, upon independence), Greenland (in 1985, following a referendum) and Saint Barthélemy (in 2012), the latter two becoming Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union.

In conclusion, the main reason Ireland did not join the Schengen Agreement is because they wish to control the immigration status of non EU citizens. Ireland is not part of mainland Europe, and it made sense for the country to control their borders the way they see fit.

GDP per head in Ireland is measured by the Irish government – and accepted by international organisations – as being 91 per cent higher than the UK, indicating at face value that Ireland is almost twice as rich as the UK.

Today, the Schengen Area encompasses most EU countries, except for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania.

Although Ireland is a member of the European Union, it has an opt-out from the Schengen Area and therefore sets its own visa policy. Ireland also operates the Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man which specifies open borders between the countries and territories.

Countries that require an Irish transit visa

1. 90 days

If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland, you do not require a visit or holiday visa to travel to Ireland. You have the right to enter and reside in Ireland for a period of up to 3 months simply by presenting a valid passport or national identity card; no other formality is required.

three months