All maps › Plastic bags › Ireland

Are plastic bags illegal in Ireland?

Partly. Plastic bags are restricted in Ireland. Shoppers pay a 22 cent levy per plastic bag; no national ban.

Plastic bag environmental levy (since 2002), 22 cent per bag, collected by Revenue for the Department of Climate (revenue.ie, published 14 May 2026; S.I. 343/2023). Levy, not a ban.

Source: Bag levy; Revenue May 2026

• Ireland is one of 59 countries where plastic bags are banned, and 26 more restrict them.
• Its neighbours: banned in 0 of 1.
• In Europe: banned in 10 of 39 countries.

Watch on YouTube

Other countries that ban plastic bags

Solomon IslandsVanuatuMarshall IslandsFijiSt. Kitts & NevisAntigua & BarbudaBarbadosBelizeJamaicaEritreaMauritaniaCameroonCongo - BrazzavilleMadagascarAll 59 on the map ›

What else is banned in Ireland