Ireland offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Irish ancestry, allowing them to reconnect with their heritage and gain the benefits of Irish and EU citizenship. Irish citizenship is one of the most valuable in the world. It gives you the right to live permanently in Ireland, the UK and across the EU, as well as visa-free travel to the USA and Australia. Ireland citizenship by Ancestry or Descent is open to individuals with Irish ancestry going back as far as great grandparents in some cases. Ireland also accepts dual citizenship, so you won’t have to forfeit your current citizenship to apply.
Statistics
The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act of 1956 serves as the foundation for Ireland's citizenship by descent laws.
Irish citizenship by descent is available to individuals who can prove Irish ancestry. This path to citizenship is based on the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood) and allows descendants of Irish citizens to claim their heritage, with some restrictions based on generational distance.
Ireland has the largest global diaspora on a per capita basis. Almost 10% of the US population (over 33 million Americans) may qualify for EU Citizenship.
Minimum Income Amount
Visa-Free Travel Countries
176
Months to Visa
Overview
Reconnect with your Irish roots with Irish ancestry-based citizenship
Eligibility Requirements
At least one parent or grandparent was an Irish citizen (Great-grandparents may be considered in some cases)
Anchor Ancestor restrictions
Must have been an Irish citizen at the time of descendant's birth
Months to citizenship
12-36 months
Length of Visa
Months to Visa
Physical Presence Requirement
None
Availability
Easy
Family Allowance
Spouse and children
Overview
Irish citizenship offers numerous advantages, including EU membership benefits, visa-free travel to approximately 190 countries, and the opportunity to live and work in Ireland and other EU countries.
The 1937 Constitution replaced the Irish Free State Constitution, which had granted citizenship based on birth or residency. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement led to a constitutional amendment granting citizenship at birth. In 2004, the 27th amendment ended automatic citizenship for those born in Ireland after January 1, 2005. The 1956 Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act allowed foreign-born descendants of Irish citizens to register as citizens. In 2005, citizenship claims through post-nuptial declarations ended.
How long does it take to get Irish Citizenship by Descent?
The Do-It-Yourself Route (DIY): 30-48 Months
Adds 6 to 12 months to the process
Delays compound on each other
Overview
The rules for those born outside of Ireland hinge upon whether they have an Irish-born parent.
An individual is automatically an Irish citizen if at least one of their parents was born in Ireland, and was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth. This also applies to children who are adopted by at least one Irish citizen.
However, if the parent was not born in Ireland, then Irish citizenship is not an automatic right. Even so, it may still be possible to claim Irish citizenship by descent. This applies to those who have an Irish parent, grandparent or, in exceptional circumstances, a great-grandparent.
As outlined above, an Irish parent can pass citizenship to their children, if they were born in Ireland and were Irish citizens at the time of their child's birth. In this instance, their children are automatically Irish citizens.
If a parent is born outside of Ireland, but was an Irish citizen at the time of their child's birth, then that child can claim Irish citizenship by descent. This involves registering with the Irish Foreign Births Register. Once approved, the applicant becomes an Irish citizen, effective from the date of registration.
If someone has an Irish grandparent, then they can claim Irish citizenship by descent - but only if that grandparent was born in Ireland or Northern Ireland. The process is the same as applying for citizenship through a parent. Namely, it is necessary to register with the Irish Foreign Births Register. Once approved, the applicant becomes an Irish citizen, effective from the date of registration.
It is theoretically possible to claim Irish citizenship through a great-grandparent. However, these applications will only succeed if:
Overview
Completed, signed and witnessed application form
Birth certificate for all relevant ancestors
Marriage certificates for all relevant ancestors
Change of name documents (if applicable)
Death certificates (where applicable)
Current state-issued ID document
Original proof of address x 2
4 color photographs (2 of which to be witnessed)
Proof of Irish citizenship of the anchor ancestor
Our experienced team will guide you through each stage of the application process, offering personalized assistance tailored to your needs.
We'll help you gather and organize the documents you need for applying.
Once your documents are ready, we'll let you know where and how to submit your application to the relevant authorities.
What happens if my grandparent never had a birth certificate?
What is the Foreign Birth Registration?
I secured Irish citizenship through the Foreign Birth Registration process. Can my children be registered as Irish citizens as well?
Can I hold dual citizenship with Ireland?
Where do I submit my application for Irish citizenship by descent?
Can I apply for an Irish passport at the same time as applying for Foreign Birth Registration?
Being a major tech hub in Europe, offers numerous opportunities to meet people. Apart from frequenting your local pub, you can also join social groups such as Meetup to connect with both locals and fellow expats.
If you're looking for a more affordable option than Dublin, consider Cork as your new home. Situated in the southern part of the country, the cost of living in Cork is approximately 23% less than Dublin.
Galway is another popular city in Ireland, especially for expats looking for a quieter lifestyle, low crime rates, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic. It's one of the best places to live in Ireland if you prefer a smaller city.
The cost of living in Ireland is comparable to that of the United States. It's not uncommon to see young people living with their families until their 30s due to the high cost of living and low wages. Additionally, like many cities around the world, there is a shortage of housing in Ireland which has resulted in increasing rent prices.
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