Passengers travelling on ferries between Northern Ireland and Great Britain will need to show a valid passport from Monday, under new UK Border Force requirements.

Stena Line said all passengers travelling from Dublin, Holyhead, Fishguard or Rosslare ports would be required to present a valid passport at check-in. The change applies in both directions on routes between those ports.

Irish Ferries said the requirement applies to their Dublin to Holyhead and Rosslare to Pembroke routes. Previously, passengers were able to use other forms of identification such as driving licences and national identity cards.

In a statement on its website, Stena Line said the change would meet UK Border Force requirements in relation to the accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding.

Irish Ferries said the requirement would apply to all passengers, including Irish and UK citizens, adding that from Monday, driving licences, national identity cards and other forms of photographic identification would no longer be accepted on the two routes in question.

Irish Ferries said passengers who were not British or Irish citizens and were visiting for a short stay of up to six months in the UK may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which allows travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to six months.

Passport cards will also be accepted by both operators.