Port accessBrittany Ferries offers four weekly services to the UK and Ireland
The introduction of the Entry/Exit System will streamline border controls for citizens of non-EU countries
In partnership with Brittany Ferries, the Port of Bilbao is resuming its regular ferry services to the UK and Ireland, adapting to the EES (Entry/Exit System) applicable to citizens of non-EU countries as of 10 April.
The Galicia will sail to the English port of Portsmouth on Tuesdays and Saturdays, while the Santoña will make the crossing to the Irish port of Rosslare on Thursdays and Sundays.
| Bilbao-Portsmouth Ferry | |||||
| DAY | VESSEL | FROM | TO | DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL* |
| TUESDAY | GALICIA | BILBAO | PORTSMOUTH | 13:00 h | 20:45 h |
| SATURDAY | GALICIA | BILBAO | PORTSMOUTH | 13:00 h | 17:30 h |
* the following day
| Bilbao-Rosslare Ferry | |||||
| DAY | VESSEL | FROM | TO | DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL* |
| THURSDAY | SANTOÑA | BILBAO | ROSSLARE | 18:00 h | 20:15 h |
| SUNDAY | SANTOÑA | BILBAO | ROSSLARE | 11:00 h | 14:30 h |
* the following day
Both routes offer passengers the chance to discover and explore both the Basque Country and its neighbouring regions through holiday packages, enjoying an immersive experience in the comfort of their own car, such as the ‘Basque Country & La Rioja’ or the new ‘Pintxos & Rioja Wine’ tours organised in collaboration with the Regulatory Council of the DOCa Rioja. Last year, these packages earned the company ‘The Best of Wine Tourism’ award in the Wine Tourism Services category of the Bilbao-Rioja World Network of Great Wine Capitals, organised by the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce together with the Chambers of Commerce of Álava and La Rioja, Bilbao City Council and the Regulatory Council of the DOCa Rioja.
For passengers travelling without a car, the Port Authority offers the ‘Bilbao and Stay’ service; a shuttle service between the ferry terminal in Zierbena, which features a small tourist information office, and the centre of Bilbao, enabling passengers to travel from there to any other part of the region by public transport. In 2025, around 3,000 passengers used this transfer service.
Last year, 156,546 people travelled by ferry through the Port of Bilbao, an 8% increase on 2024 figures.
Adaptation to the EES (Entry/Exit System)
As of 10 April, ports will be required to implement the EES (Entry/Exit System), applicable to citizens of non-EU countries. Brittany Ferries, in collaboration with the Bilbao Port Authority and other organisations operating at the port, has been preparing for months to ensure a seamless and efficient transition to this new system, which replaces passport stamping with a digital format that records travellers’ movements in and out of the country, thereby streamlining border controls. This will be made possible by the provision of self-service solutions and the option to submit information in advance, enabling the authorities to work more efficiently.
Rolling out the EES has presented both an operational challenge and an opportunity to modernise processes to adapt to an increasingly digital environment, whilst at the same time helping to improve the efficiency and security of border controls. It will also ensure that boarding and disembarkation procedures remain efficient and punctual on ferries, which can carry up to 1,000 passengers on each crossing.
