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.
MOBILITY ASSSET SNAPSHOT
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.
Panoramica
Reconnect with your Irish roots with Irish ancestry-based citizenship
Requisiti di idoneità
At least one parent or grandparent was an Irish citizen (Great-grandparents may be considered in some cases)
Restrizioni degli antenati di ancoraggio
Must have been an Irish citizen at the time of descendant's birth
Mesi alla cittadinanza
12-36 months
Durata del visto
Mesi al visto
Requisito della presenza fisica
None
Disponibilità
Easy
Assegno familiare
Coniuge e figli
Panoramica
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
Domande?
Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.
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?
benefits
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.
Full access to both EU and UK post-Brexit
Dual citizenship allowed retaining original nationality
Benefit from Ireland's favorable business environment
Fast Processing Time (compared to other citizenship by descent programs)
No Physical Presence or In-Country Visit Requirements
.svg)
Online Submission Allowed
Paesi in cui si viaggia senza visto
159
Passport Validity
10 years, 5 years for children
Panoramica
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.
Domande?
Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.
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?
REQUIREMENTS
Check if you qualify based on your family history
Parent: Automatic citizenship if a parent was born in Ireland+Grandparent Citizenship can be claimed if a grandparent was born in Ireland+Great-Grandparent possible only if the applicant’s parent was an Irish citizen at birth.
General: Original or certified copies of vital records proving lineage+Specific Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates (if applicable)+Translation: All foreign documents must be translated into English by a certified translator.
Citizenship Continuity: Irish citizenship must have been maintained until the next descendant’s birth.
Criminal Record: Instead of a criminal check, Ireland requires applicants to prove they are of "good character" through a declaration
REQUIREMENTS
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:
PROCESS
Initial Assessment
• Complete mobility match survey
• Upload GEDCOM files
• Verify ancestral eligibility
• Review program requirements
Selection Phase
• View initial results
• Filter based on preferences
• Assess documentation requirements
• Choose target country
Application Preparation
• Gather vital records
• Obtain apostilles
• Complete translations
• Prepare application forms
Submission
• Schedule consular interview
• Submit petition
• Pay application fees
• Provide biometrics if required
Monitoring & Approval
• Track processing time
• Respond to any queries
• Receive citizenship confirmation
• Collect passport/documents
PROCESS
DOCUMENTS
Valid passport+Current government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's license)+4 recent Passport-sized photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) - do not attach these to the application form.
Applicant's full birth certificate+Parent's full birth certificate (through whom Irish descent is claimed)+Irish grandparent's full birth certificate+Parents' marriage certificate+Grandparents' marriage certificate+Death certificates (if applicable for parent or grandparent)+Irish ancestor's Irish passport or citizenship certificate (if available)
Two separate proofs of residence are required. Both documents must be recent (within the last 6 months), must clearly show applicant full name and current address, should be from different sources and must be in English or Irish (or accompanied by a certified translation)
Declaration of good character
Not applicable
DOCUMENTS
Birth certificates from government archives; Marriage certificates for family dependencies; Police clearance records from current and past residences
Certified translations into official language(s); Apostille certification; Government-issued document legalization
Diploma and transcript verification; Professional certification authentication; Credential evaluation services
Initial application submission fee; Processing and handling charges; Administrative review fees
Fingerprint collection fee; Digital photograph requirements; Biometric data processing
Required medical examinations; Vaccination verification; Health certificate processing
Document verification fees; Background check processing; Application status updates
Consulate visit expenses; Interview travel costs; Temporary accommodation (if required)
Language proficiency testing; Skills assessment fees; Additional document requests
Immigration lawyer consultation; Document review services; Legal representation fees
Tax planning consultation; Asset transfer advisory; Investment planning services
Relocation services; Property search assistance; Settlement support services
Residency card processing; Passport issuance fees; Registration certificates
Oath ceremony fees; Registration charges; Local authority fees
Renewal fees; Status maintenance costs; Annual reporting fees
Rankings
5
Classifica generale
Cost
Based on application fee
Residency Requirements
Based on residency requirements
.svg)
Residency Privileges Length
Based on programs’s term
.svg)
Processing Speed
Based on estimated processing time
.svg)
Requisiti di idoneità
Based on entry requirements
.svg)
Program Stability
Based on years of activity
.svg)
Time to Permanent Residency
Based on permanent residency timeline
.svg)
Rankings
Safety
2
Costo della vita
14
Quality of Life
15
.svg)
Healthcare Quality
8
Internet Speed
37
.svg)
Human Freedom
4
IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS
Explore alternative pathways to live and work
Learn about living costs, culture, healthcare, and other essential information about relocating to Ireland. Explore all available immigration pathways and find the best option for you.
View Country Guide
Avete bisogno di aiuto?
Iniziare
.svg)
.svg)
.webp)
