Irish Citizenship through naturlisation
As one of the most welcoming countries in Europe, Ireland offers a clear and structured path to citizenship through naturalisation. If you have legally resided in Ireland for a number of years, you may be eligible to apply for Irish citizenship, allowing you to enjoy the full rights and benefits of being an Irish and EU citizen.
Call us today on +353-85-115-3430 to receive expert guidance and support with your Irish Citizenship by Naturalisation application.
What is naturalisation?
Naturalisation is the legal process through which a non-Irish national can become an Irish citizen. It allows individuals who have been lawfully resident in Ireland for a specific period to apply for full citizenship rights, including the ability to live, work, vote, and travel freely as an Irish and EU citizen.
To be eligible, applicants must meet certain residency, character, and legal requirements as outlined by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). Once granted, Irish citizenship by naturalisation is typically permanent and can be passed on to future generations.
Naturalisation is the most common route to citizenship for non-EEA nationals who have made Ireland their long-term home.
Who is eligible for citizenship by naturalisation?
o be eligible to apply for naturalisation based on residence, you must meet the following criteria:
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You must be 18 years of age or over
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You must be able to prove your identity
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You must meet the relevant conditions for residence
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You must have continuously lived in Ireland for a full one year period right before you apply. You can be away for up to 70 days during this year, with an extra 30 days allowed in exceptional cases, at the discretion of the Minister
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Additionally, during the eight years immediately before that period, you must have a total residence in Ireland of four years
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You must have proof of residency in Ireland for every year of residency claimed
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You must intend to reside in Ireland after you become a citizen
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You must be willing to attend a citizenship ceremony and make a declaration of fidelity
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You must be of good character.
Please note: If you had permission to live in the State but you spent long periods of time abroad, you must provide as much detailed information as possible in support of your application.
What Types of Employment Permits Are There in Ireland?
If you are a non-EU/EEA or non-Swiss national applying for Irish citizenship through naturalisation, you must demonstrate that you have accumulated sufficient reckonable residence in Ireland.
To qualify, you must show:
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1825 or 1826 days of reckonable residence (equivalent to 5 years) based on your valid immigration permission stamps.
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This must include 365 or 366 days (1 full year) of unbroken, continuous residence immediately before the date of your application.
You can prove your reckonable residence using your immigration permission stamps or official documentation from the Department of Justice confirming your granted permissions.
⚠️ Please Note: Your immigration permission must be continuously registered, without any gaps. Interruptions in your registration may result in your application being considered ineligible.
Important Information for Non-EU/EEA and Non-Swiss Nationals
If you are a non-EU/EEA or non-Swiss national applying for Irish citizenship through naturalisation, you must demonstrate that you have accumulated sufficient reckonable residence in Ireland.
To qualify, you must show:
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1825 or 1826 days of reckonable residence (equivalent to 5 years) based on your valid immigration permission stamps.
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This must include 365 or 366 days (1 full year) of unbroken, continuous residence immediately before the date of your application.
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You can prove your reckonable residence using your immigration permission stamps or official documentation from the Department of Justice confirming your granted permissions.
⚠️ Please Note: Your immigration permission must be continuously registered, without any gaps. Interruptions in your registration may result in your application being considered ineligible.
Additional Guidance for Dependent Young Adults (Non-EU/EEA and Non-Swiss Nationals)
If you are a dependant young adult and wish to apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation, you may be eligible to do so under specific conditions. In addition to meeting the general requirements for adult applicants, you must also:
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Be aged 18 to 23 years at the time of application
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Have entered Ireland legally as part of a family unit
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Be currently enrolled in secondary school, or have progressed directly from secondary school to third-level education within the State
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Be financially dependent on your parents and not living independently
These criteria ensure that young adults who have grown up in Ireland under the care of their parents and within the Irish education system are supported in their pathway to citizenship.
Citizenship Through Marriage or Civil Partnership with an Irish Citizen
If you are married to, or in a civil partnership with, an Irish citizen, you may be eligible to apply for Irish citizenship by naturalisation under this category. To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:
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You must be 18 years of age or older
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You must be able to prove your identity with valid documentation
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You must be legally married to or in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen for at least three years. The relationship must be genuine and ongoing
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You must be living with your spouse or civil partner both on the date of application and the date citizenship is granted
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You must have been legally resident on the island of Ireland (including Northern Ireland) for at least three of the last five years, including one year of continuous residence immediately before your application
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During the final year, absences of up to 70 days are permitted
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An additional 30 days may be considered in exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Minister
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You must provide evidence of legal residence for each year you are claiming residency
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You must intend to continue residing in Ireland after becoming a citizen
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You must be willing to attend a citizenship ceremony and make a formal declaration of fidelity to the nation
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You must be considered a person of good character
Important: In addition to submitting your own residency documents, you are also required to provide proof of your Irish spouse or civil partner’s residence in Ireland. Full details on the documentation required are available in the Citizenship Guidance Document.
Additional notes for non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss nationals
In addition to proving your legal residence, you must show that you have built up enough reckonable residence in Ireland to be granted citizenship, specifically:
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1095 or 1096 days of reckonable residence based on your accumulated permission stamps. Calculate your reckonable
residence here.
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This includes 365 or 366 days (1 year) of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply.
You can do this by showing your accumulated immigration permission stamps or documents from the Department of Justice indicating your permissions granted.
Make sure you keep your immigration permission registered (with no gaps) during your residence. Gaps in your registration may lead to your application for citizenship being deemed ineligible.
Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.