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Q: Does Ryanair still accept printed boarding passes?
A: No. From 12 November 2025 Ryanair has moved to 100% digital boarding passes in the myRyanair app. You can no longer use home-printed passes, and paper passes at the airport are only issued in limited cases (for example on routes from countries like Morocco where local rules still require a printed pass, or if your phone is lost or out of battery after you’ve already checked in online). Ryanair Corporate+2Ryanair Help Centre+2
Ryanair’s 100% digital boarding passes — the big picture
Ryanair has confirmed that from Wednesday 12 November 2025 it is going fully digital for boarding passes. Passengers can no longer download and print a paper boarding pass at home or at the airport. Instead, you must use a digital boarding pass (DBP) generated in the myRyanair app when you check in online. Ryanair Corporate+1
The airline says this is:
- Part of its ongoing digital transformation
- Already used by more than 80–90% of its passengers
- Expected to save over 300 tonnes of paper per year and cut airport costs, which it argues helps keep fares lower. Ryanair Corporate+2The Local Europe+2
For you as a budget flyer, the key shift is simple:
Ryanair is app-first now. If you don’t have a working digital pass in the myRyanair app (or can’t be identified in their system), you risk fees, delays, or in the worst case not flying.
The good news: Ryanair has built in safety nets for people whose phone dies, gets lost, or who don’t own a smartphone — but there are strict conditions you need to understand (especially around online check-in).
What exactly changes on 12 November 2025?
From 12 November 2025:
- Home-printed boarding passes are no longer accepted. Even if you check in online, you can’t print a PDF and bring it to the airport like before. Ryanair Corporate+1
- Every passenger receives a digital boarding pass in the myRyanair app after checking in online via the website or app. Ryanair Help Centre+1
- Paper boarding passes from airport desks are no longer part of the standard process. They are now a fallback only in specific situations (no smartphone, dead phone, local rules). Ryanair Help Centre+1
- Online check-in rules stay in place:
- If you reserved a seat, check-in opens up to 60 days before departure.
- With random seat assignment, check-in opens 24 hours before and closes 2 hours before scheduled departure. Ryanair Help Centre+1
- Airport check-in fees still apply if you fail to check in online on time. Ryanair’s terms state that if you haven’t checked in online more than 2 hours before departure, you can still check in at the airport (up to 40 minutes before), but you will pay an airport check-in fee as per their table of fees. Ryanair+1
In short: the digital boarding pass doesn’t replace online check-in — it replaces how you present that check-in at the airport.
How Ryanair’s digital boarding pass works (step-by-step)
1. Download and log in to the myRyanair app
Before your trip, install the myRyanair app on your smartphone or tablet and log into your account. This is where your digital boarding passes will appear. Ryanair Help Centre
Make sure:
- Your email and password are up to date
- You can receive Ryanair’s check-in reminder emails (48 and 24 hours before departure) Ryanair Help Centre
- Your name and passport/ID details match your booking
2. Check in online
You can check in either:
- On Ryanair.com, or
- Directly in the myRyanair app
You must complete check-in online no later than 2 hours before your scheduled departure time. After this point, online check-in closes and only airport check-in (with a fee) is available. Ryanair Help Centre+1
During check-in you’ll:
- Confirm your personal details and travel document
- Potentially choose seats, priority boarding, or luggage options
- Agree to safety, security and health confirmations
3. Your digital boarding pass appears in the app
Once you’re checked in:
- The digital boarding pass automatically appears in your myRyanair app under your trip details. Ryanair Help Centre+1
- You can usually store it in your phone’s wallet too, but the app itself is the primary method.
Tip: Open the pass once while you still have good Wi-Fi, so it’s cached. In many cases, the QR code can still be scanned offline.
4. Use the digital pass at the airport
You show your digital boarding pass at:
- Airport security
- The boarding gate
Ryanair emphasises that this should mean:
- Faster boarding
- Less paper
- Better disruption handling (because flight info and updates are in the app). Ryanair Help Centre+1
Who is affected most by the change?
You’re most affected if:
- You previously relied on home-printed passes
- You’re not comfortable with smartphone apps
- You travel with family members who don’t have smartphones
- You fly often to/from countries where mobile boarding passes aren’t accepted (see below)
On the other hand, if you already use the app for every flight, the main differences you’ll notice are:
- No more “print boarding pass” button
- Stronger emphasis on keeping your phone charged
- More in-app features (order to seat, live gate/boarding updates, etc). Ryanair Corporate+1
Official exceptions: Morocco, Turkey, Tirana & other local rules
Despite the “100% digital” headline, some airports and countries still require paper boarding passes under local regulations. Ryanair lists specific exceptions where mobile boarding passes aren’t accepted: Ryanair Help Centre+2Ryanair Help Centre+2
- Morocco (all airports)
- Turkey — all airports except Dalaman
- Tirana (Albania) when flying to the UK
What this means in practice:
- You must still check in online before arriving at the airport (website or app). Ryanair Help Centre+1
- You then present your digital boarding pass in the app at the airport check-in desk.
- Ryanair staff will issue a printed boarding pass free of charge, because local rules demand paper. Ryanair Help Centre+1
So for Morocco, Turkey, and certain Tirana flights, paper hasn’t disappeared — but you can’t self-print anymore. The airport desk handles it for you as long as you’ve checked in online.
What if your phone dies, gets lost, or the app glitches?
This is the biggest worry for many travellers, and Ryanair has put clear rules and FAQs in place.
The golden rule is:
If you have checked in online already, Ryanair will help you. If you haven’t, expect to pay the airport check-in fee.
According to Ryanair’s digital boarding pass help pages: Ryanair Help Centre+3Ryanair Help Centre+3Ryanair Help Centre+3
- If you’ve checked in and your phone/tablet dies before airport security:
- You will receive a free boarding pass at the airport.
- If you’ve checked in and you lose your phone or it’s stolen before airport security:
- Again, you will receive a free boarding pass at the airport.
- If you’ve checked in and your phone dies or is lost after security but before boarding:
- Your details are already in the system; staff will assist you at the gate so you can board.
- If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet at all:
- As long as you checked in online (for example on a laptop or someone else’s phone), you will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport — but you won’t get live app updates or some in-app services.
Independent consumer outlets and UK media also confirm that the previous “reprint boarding pass fee” (often around £20) has been removed when you’ve already checked in online and just need a replacement pass due to phone issues. MoneySavingExpert.com+2Irish Examiner+2
So you won’t be punished for:
- Your battery dying
- Your phone crashing
- Losing your phone after you’ve checked in
But you can still be charged if:
- You never checked in online at all, or
- You miss the 2-hour online check-in deadline and rely entirely on airport check-in. Ryanair Help Centre+1
Check-in deadlines and fees (what hasn’t changed)
The digital boarding pass doesn’t change the underlying check-in timeline or fee logic:
- With a reserved seat, online check-in opens up to 60 days before departure.
- If you don’t buy a seat and accept random seating, online check-in opens 24 hours before departure.
- In all cases, online check-in closes 2 hours before departure. Ryanair Help Centre+1
If you miss that window:
- You may still check in at the airport up to 40 minutes before departure, but
- You will be charged an airport check-in fee per passenger, as outlined in Ryanair’s fee table and confirmed in its terms & conditions. Ryanair+1
Also note:
- If you checked in online but can’t present your boarding pass in the app at the airport for any reason (dead phone, technical issue), Ryanair will print a boarding pass free of charge. Ryanair Help Centre+1
So the fees you still need to watch out for are all about failing to check in online on time, not about your phone dying afterwards.
Pros and cons for travellers
Potential benefits
Ryanair promotes the move as a win-win for most passengers: Ryanair Help Centre+1
- Less paper — good for the environment and your clutter
- Faster travel — one phone for security, gate, and in-flight services
- Better disruption handling — live notifications and rebooking prompts in the app
- More information in one place — live gate changes, boarding times, baggage belt info, often sent straight to your phone
For frequent Ryanair flyers who already use digital passes, it’s mostly “business as usual”, just without the option to print.
Downsides and edge cases
On the flip side, the change is more worrying if:
- You’re not tech-savvy or don’t use smartphones
- You’re travelling with older relatives who trust paper more than apps
- You have a history of cutting it short on check-in and relying on airport staff
In those situations, it’s crucial to:
- Treat online check-in as non-negotiable
- Carry a power bank
- Learn how to access everyone’s passes in a single app on one device
Practical checklist before your next Ryanair flight
Here’s a simple prep list to avoid surprises from 12 November 2025 onwards:
- Install the myRyanair app well in advance and log in.
- Verify your email and phone number so you receive reminders.
- Add your trip to the app and check that passenger names and documents are correct.
- Mark your check-in window (60 days or 24 hours before departure, and the 2-hour cut-off).
- Check in online as early as possible — don’t leave it to the last hour.
- Once checked in, open your digital boarding pass in the app while on Wi-Fi to cache it.
- Screenshot the QR code or save to your phone’s wallet as an extra backup (even though the app is primary).
- Pack a reliable USB cable and power bank in your personal item.
- If travelling with kids or non-smartphone users, store all boarding passes on one phone so you can show them together at security and the gate. The Independent+1
- Flying from Morocco, Turkey, or Tirana→UK? Remember:
- Check in online as normal
- Be ready to show the app at the desk
- Expect staff to print a paper pass for free. Ryanair Help Centre+1
How Ryanair’s move compares to other European low-cost airlines
While many airlines encourage digital boarding, Ryanair is the first major European carrier to formally ban home-printed boarding passes across its network and position itself as essentially “paperless” (with the exceptions noted above). Business Insider+1
Most competitors:
- Still allow home-printed passes
- Offer their own mobile boarding passes
- Do not require app-only boarding in the same strict way
Consumer sites reviewing UK airlines’ policies note that:
- Ryanair is currently unique in refusing home-printed passes
- Ryanair and Wizz Air are the ones that routinely charge airport check-in fees when you don’t check in online. MoneySavingExpert.com+1
For travellers, this means Ryanair now demands the most digital discipline — but also often offers the cheapest base fares, making it a trade-off many budget flyers are willing to make.
If you’re comparing options for your next trip, you might also want to read:
- Best EU Low-Cost Airlines Compared —
/best-eu-low-cost-airlines-compared
Smart add-ons now that everything lives in your phone
Because your entire trip now depends on a single device, it’s worth upgrading how you travel:
1. eSIM instead of random airport roaming
With an eSIM, your phone connects as soon as you land — no hunting for Wi-Fi to load the Ryanair app, boarding pass, or gate changes. It’s especially handy if you have tight connections or unfamiliar airports.
- Use a tool like our eSIM vs roaming cost calculator to see whether eSIM or your home operator’s roaming bundle is cheaper for your route:
/esim-vs-roaming-calculator
2. Priority security and boarding
If you’re worried about app failures or delays:
- Priority security gets you through queues faster, leaving more time to sort any digital pass hiccups.
- Priority boarding gives you a calmer boarding experience when you’re juggling your phone, bags, and family passes.
Link this with a practical guide like Priority Security & Fast Track in Europe (placeholder): /priority-security-and-fast-track
3. Smart carry-on planning
Ryanair’s luggage rules can be brutal, and the last thing you want is to be stopped at the gate arguing about bag size while also dealing with digital boarding passes.
- Use a carry-on size checker tool (placeholder):
/carry-on-size-checker - Make sure your power bank and tech fit within your personal item allowance.
4. Travel insurance that actually covers tech
If your phone is the key to boarding, losing it or having it stolen becomes more than just an annoyance:
- Check if your travel insurance covers phone theft, damage, and delay.
- Consider policies that offer 24/7 assistance in case you need emergency support at the airport.
FAQs
1. What if my phone dies after I’ve checked in online?
If you’ve already checked in online and your smartphone or tablet dies, Ryanair’s digital boarding pass FAQs state that you’ll receive a free boarding pass at the airport. If it dies after security but before boarding, your details are already on their system and you’ll be assisted at the gate so you can still board. Ryanair Help Centre+1
2. What if I don’t have a smartphone at all?
You can still fly. As long as you check in online before arriving at the airport (using a computer or someone else’s device), Ryanair will issue a free paper boarding pass at the airport. You just won’t have access to real-time app updates or in-app services. Ryanair Help Centre+1
3. Are any routes or airports exempt from mobile boarding passes?
Yes. Due to local regulations, Ryanair’s mobile boarding passes are not accepted: Ryanair Help Centre+1
- In Morocco
- In Turkey (all airports except Dalaman)
- In Tirana when flying to the UK
For these flights, you must still check in online, then show your digital boarding pass at the airport to collect a printed pass for free.
4. Do check-in deadlines change with digital-only boarding passes?
No. Online check-in rules remain the same: if you’ve reserved a seat, check-in can open up to 60 days before departure; if you haven’t, check-in opens 24 hours before and closes 2 hours before your flight. After that, you can only check in at the airport (up to 40 minutes before departure) and you’ll pay the airport check-in fee. Ryanair Help Centre+1
5. Can I still be charged a fee at the airport if something goes wrong?
Yes — but only in specific situations. If you failed to check in online on time, you can be charged the usual airport check-in fee. If you did check in online and then lose your phone or your battery dies, Ryanair’s policy is that reissuing a boarding pass at the airport is free of charge, and you’ll be assisted at the gate if it happens after security. Ryanair Help Centre+2Ryanair Help Centre+2