Ryanair passengers are in for a major change. Those used to a paper boarding pass will have to adapt from 12 November 2025.

No more paper from 12 November

Ryanair has officially confirmed that from this date it will no longer be possible to fly with a paper boarding pass, even for a fee. According to Ryanair, over 80% of passengers already use digital boarding passes.

"To ensure a smooth transition to 100% digital boarding passes for our customers, we will make this change on Wednesday 12 November, which is traditionally a quieter period for travel after the busy half-term holiday period. Ryanair's move to 100% digital boarding passes will mean faster, smarter and greener travel for our customers, streamlined by our industry-leading 'myRyanair' app, where passengers will also benefit from useful in-app features such as Order to Seat and live flight information," said Ryanair's Chief Marketing Officer Dara Brady.

You can read Ryanair's official release here: corporate.ryanair.com.

You can't fly without the mobile app

Currently, you can check in for free online on the Ryanair mobile app or via the web.

If you don't want to use the mobile app, you can print your boarding pass at home and present this paper boarding pass at the airport.

Alternatively, you can pay for airport check-in at 55 eur and print your boarding pass directly at the airport at 20 eur.

This will no longer be possible from 12.11.2025.

Ryanair will completely remove the ability to show any paper boarding pass.

You simply cannot fly without the Ryanair mobile app.

What if I don't have a smartphone?

If you are travelling alone then you must have a smartphone with the Ryanair mobile app.

If multiple people are travelling together on one booking, then only one of the group needs to have all the passengers' boarding passes on the mobile app.

Multiple passengers can also show their boarding passes on the same phone. However, they must all be checked in via the Ryanair mobile app.

However, the lead passenger can download boarding passes to their phone and send them to other passengers via chat apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger.

It is therefore not necessarily necessary for all passengers to have a mobile app or smartphone, but at least one in the group must have the Ryanair mobile app.

What if I lose my phone or it dies?

According to several media reports, if your phone is stolen, dies or is lost but you have already pre-checked in via the mobile app, your boarding pass can be printed free of charge by the staff at the counter.

But so far these statements are not described anywhere officially.

The main changes at a glance

• From when do the new conditions apply? From 12 November 2025.
• How can I check in? Only via the Ryanair mobile app.
• Can I print my boarding pass? No, they will only be accepted in digital form

Where to go with Ryanair?

You now know that you must have a digital-only boarding pass when travelling with Ryanair.

But on our website you'll also find guides to cities like London, Barcelona and Venice, information about airlines and airports, as well as hotel reviews, business class and first class, based on our own travels.

And if you're also interested in Ryanair's competitors, check out our Wizz Air or easyJet reviews.