About Northern Ireland
You can find information about Northern Ireland, whether you live or work here, or are just coming to visit.
Key facts
| Population | 1,903,100 (census day, 21 March 2021) |
|---|---|
| Capital city | Belfast |
| Nationality and citizenship | British, Irish or both |
| Language(s) | English, Irish, Ulster Scots, British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) |
| Weather | Northern Ireland forecast |
| Currency | Pound sterling (GBP) £ |
| Calling code | from abroad dial 00 44 + area code (without 0) + local number |
| Electricity | 240 volts (standard three-pin plugs) |
| Airports | Belfast International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport, City of Derry Airport |
| Major sea ports | Belfast, Larne, Warrenpoint |
If you want to find out more information about Northern Ireland, you'll find useful and interesting statistics on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) website and the NISRA Data Portal.
Public and bank holidays
Bank holidays are holidays when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day. Public Holidays are holidays which have been observed through custom and practice, such as Christmas Day.
Find out about the bank and public holidays in Northern Ireland:
Nationality and citizenship
Northern Ireland is part of the UK.
The Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement) was based on a series of basic principles. These include the birthright of the people of Northern Ireland to identify and be accepted as British or Irish, or both, and to hold both British and Irish citizenship.
You can find out more about the different types of citizenship at the following links.
Government
There are different levels of government in Northern Ireland. For example:
- local councils that look after things like bin collections and leisure centres
- the Executive and Assembly who run the government and pass laws
- the UK Parliament at Westminster
- Overview of government in Northern Ireland
Coming to Northern Ireland to visit, study or work
If you want to come to Northern Ireland to visit, study or work, you may need to apply for a visa through UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI).
You'll find a handy tool on the GOV.UK website to check if you need a visa. Simply enter the country that issued your passport or travel documents and what you want the visa for, for example work, study or visiting.
The checker will tell you if you need a visa and give you information on how to apply.
You may also find the following links useful.
- Working in Northern Ireland
- Permission to work in Northern Ireland
- Visiting Northern Ireland to marry or form a civil partnership
Visiting Northern Ireland
There are lots of things to see and do in Northern Ireland. You'll find everything here, from natural wonders like the Giant's Causeway, to the stunning Fermanagh Lakelands and magnificent sandy beaches along the coastlines. There's also the great food, culture and warm welcome that awaits you in the cities and towns.
Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
Since 1 April 2025, visitors from the EU need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK.
You do not need an ETA if you are a British or Irish citizen.
You can find out more about the ETA at the following links on the GOV.UK website:
- Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
- Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
- Using the 'UK ETA' app
Get statistical information about your neighbourhood
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency’s (NISRA) Data Portal has local area statistics and maps about population, society and the economy.
The Census 2021 Flexible Table builder allows you to explore the results of Census 2021 for a range of census variables and geographic levels.
Postcodes
You can find a list of Northern Ireland postcodes at the following link: