Naturalisation

What is Naturalisation?

Naturalisation in Ireland is the process whereby a foreign national, living in Ireland, may apply to become an Irish citizen provided that s/he meets certain residence/physical presence requirements in Ireland.

What is the advantage of becoming an Irish citizen?

An Irish citizen is a legally recognized national of Ireland and a citizen of the European Union.


What are the rights as an Irish citizen?
An Irish citizen is entitled to carry an Irish passport. They can leave Ireland to travel abroad and are entitled to live, work and travel within the European Union and the European Economic Area.  They may vote in an Irish election, be elected to government in Ireland and in the European Union.  They are also entitled to equality before the law, freedom of expression, freedom to practice their religion and all the other civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights to which an Irish national is entitled. Irish citizens also have duties and responsibilities- they are expected to follow/abide/the laws of the land and, if called upon, to sit on a jury.


What are the rights as an Irish citizen living outside of Ireland?
An Irish citizen living outside of Ireland is also entitled to an Irish passport as well as diplomatic supports from Irish embassies/consulates abroad.  In this case, with the exception of diplomatic staff and their spouses, posted abroad, those living abroad are not entitled to vote in an Irish election by post or in the nearest Irish embassy.

 

How does one become an Irish citizen?
There are a number of different ways of acquiring Irish citizenship:

  • By birth in Ireland
  • By descent - through a parent/grandparent
  • By naturalisation - this is acquired citizenship
  • By marriage to an Irish citizen - post-nuptial citizenship
  • Dual Citizenship


By Birth
Following the 2004 citizenship referendum, the Irish government introduced the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004. Children born of certain foreign national parents on or after 1 January 2005 are since then no longer automatically entitled to Irish citizenship.  If the child is born after 01 January 2005 and either parent is British or has refugee’s status, he or she is still entitled to Irish citizenship. Other children, whose parents are foreign nationals, born in the island of Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 must prove that they have a genuine link to Ireland. This requirement is met, if the parents can provide evidence that they have legally resided in the State for 3 out of 4 years immediately before the birth of the child.

 

By Descent
A person born on the island of Ireland to an Irish national is an Irish citizen from birth if at least one parent has Irish citizenship. All persons born in or outside Ireland who have Irish grandparents are also entitled to Irish citizenship (This is citizenship by descent.)

 
Are there different procedures for achieving citizenship for a child to a non-national on the island of Ireland?

Yes. The entitlement to Irish citizenship through birth on the island of Ireland can only be exercised by making a declaration in a specified form.  This declaration must be made in the case of:

(a) a person born on the island of Ireland to a non-national who, at the time of that person's birth was entitled to diplomatic immunity within the State and

(b) a person born in Irish sea or air space to a non-national on a foreign ship or in a foreign aircraft.
Does a person born in Ireland and an Irish citizen have to do anything to  exercise this entitlement?
It is open to the individual to exercise this entitlement. If as a person born on the island of Ireland, do an act which only an Irish citizen is entitled to do (for instance, applying for an Irish passport), the law regards that as an exercise of the entitlement to be an Irish citizen, and a person is, accordingly, an Irish citizen from birth. This also applies to persons not yet of full age (i.e. those still under 18 and not married) on whose behalf such an act is done.