Irish Citizenship Eligibility Guide
Understand how Irish citizenship eligibility works — and where you fit.
Irish citizenship eligibility depends on your residence history, family connections, and personal circumstances, as assessed under Irish nationality law and official guidance issued by the Department of Justice. This guide explains:
The main Irish citizenship pathways
How reckonable residence in Ireland works
The key eligibility requirements assessed in citizenship applications
Irish Citizenship Cost and Fees
Fees vary depending on your pathway and applicant type. Below is a summary of current fees set by the Department of Justice (naturalisation) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (descent).
Application fee:
Certification fee:
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€175 (non-refundable, applies to all naturalisation applications)
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€950 for an adult
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€200 for minor
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€200 for widow/widower
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€0 for refugee/stateless
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€278 for an adult
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€153 for a child under 18
The application fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome — submitting a complete, accurate application the first time helps avoid losing this fee unnecessarily.
How Long Does Irish Citizenship Take?
Processing times vary depending on your pathway. Below is a summary of current timelines based on official guidance from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Citizenship by Naturalisation
Based on 5 years of reckonable residence in Ireland
~12 months
Citizenship by Marriage / Civil Partnership
Spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen
~12 months
Citizenship by Descent (Foreign Birth Registration)
Through an Irish-born parent or grandparent
~9 months
Processing times may be longer if additional documentation or clarification is requested during assessment. Successful applicants aged 18 or over are invited to attend an Irish citizenship ceremony, which is a mandatory step before citizenship is granted.
Irish Citizenship by Descent (Foreign Birth Registration)
Irish citizenship by descent allows eligible individuals to become Irish citizens through Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) if they have an Irish-born parent or grandparent. This pathway is governed by Irish nationality law and administered by the Irish Immigration Service.
Compared to Irish citizenship by naturalisation, citizenship by descent can be faster, but eligibility depends heavily on family history, timing of births, and citizenship status at specific dates.
Who May Be Eligible for Irish Citizenship by Descent?
Irish-born parent or grandparent
At least one of your parents or grandparents must have been born in Ireland.
Irish citizenship at time of your birth
Your Irish-born parent or grandparent held Irish citizenship at the time of your birth.
Proof of family connection
You must be able to provide official documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, to prove the relationship.
Details of required documentation are outlined in the Documents Required for Irish Citizenship by Descent section below.
You may be eligible for Irish citizenship by descent if one of the following applies:
If you qualify, you must register on the Foreign Births Register before Irish citizenship can be confirmed.
Important: Citizenship by descent is not automatic
Irish citizenship by descent depends on citizenship status at the time of your birth. Careful legal and genealogical assessment is essential, and professional guidance can help avoid refusals or long delays.
Documents Required for Irish Citizenship by Descent
Your birth certificate
Birth certificate of your Irish-born parent or grandparent
Marriage certificate of the Irish-born ancestor (if applicable)
Your parent’s birth certificate (if claiming through a grandparent)
Evidence that the Irish-born ancestor held Irish citizenship at the time of your birth
All documents must meet Irish government standards, and official translations may be required.
You will typically need to provide:
Timeline and Process for Citizenship by Descent
Step 1: Foreign Birth Registration (FBR)
Typical processing time: 3–6 months (may vary depending on demand and documentation)
Step 2: Irish Citizenship Status Confirmed
Once registered, you are recognised as an Irish citizen from the date of registration
Additional Notes:
Processing times may vary depending on individual circumstances, a citizenship knowledge test is generally not required for citizenship by descent, and accuracy and completeness of documents are essential.
You will typically need to provide:
Need clarity on your Irish citizenship eligibility?
Eligibility rules can be complex, particularly where permissions, absences, or documentation vary. Understanding your eligibility before applying can help avoid unnecessary delays or refusals.
Need clarity on your Irish citizenship eligibility?
Eligibility rules can be complex, particularly where permissions, absences, or documentation vary. Understanding your eligibility before applying can help avoid unnecessary delays or refusals.
What Do I Need to Submit?
Ensure that your identity documents, relationship evidence, good character, and supporting forms meet the required standards. The exact documents may vary depending on individual circumstances, and additional information may be requested during assessment.
Marriage or Civil Partnership Registration Certificate
Evidence of Cohabitation — proof that you are living together at the time of application
Statutory Declaration signed by both partners, witnessed by an authorised legal witness, and consistent with supporting documents submitted
You meet the good character requirement, including criminal history, immigration compliance, and overall conduct
Garda clearance for Irish citizenship or overseas police certificates may be required if you lived abroad for 6+ months.
Irish Citizenship Is Required
This pathway is only available if your spouse or civil partner is an Irish citizen.
Irish residency or immigration permission alone is not sufficient.
Irish citizenship must be proven through:
An Irish passport
An Irish birth certificate
A naturalisation certificate
Residency Requirements for Irish Citizenship (3-Year Rule)
For Irish citizenship by marriage or civil partnership:
​1. 1 year continuous residence immediately before applying
2. 2 years residence within the 4 years before that
Total: 3 years in a 5-year period
In addition, you must have been married to or in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen for at least three years at the time of application.
Key Eligibility Requirements
Married or in Civil Partnership for 3+ Years
You have been married to or in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen for at least 3 years.
Living Together
You are living together at the time of application.
3 Years of Reckonable Residence
You have completed 3 years of reckonable residence in Ireland, which must fall within the last 5 years, including one full year of continuous residence immediately before applying. See Residency Requirements for Irish Citizenship (3-Year Rule) below.
Each year claimed must be supported by sufficient evidence in line with the 150-point residency evidence requirement.
Spouse / Civil Partner Holds Irish Citizenship
Your spouse or civil partner holds Irish citizenship. See Irish Citizenship Is Required below.
Statutory Declaration
Both partners complete and sign the required statutory declaration, confirming that the relationship is genuine and that you are living together.
Good Character Requirement
You meet the good character requirement, including compliance with Irish immigration law; criminal history and immigration conduct are assessed as part of the application process.
Supporting Documents
You can provide the required supporting documents to evidence your eligibility. See What Do I Need to Submit? below.
You may be eligible to apply if:
Irish Citizenship by Marriage or Civil Partnership
You may be eligible to apply for Irish citizenship by marriage or civil partnership if you are married to, or in a registered civil partnership with, an Irish citizen. This pathway has different residency requirements from Irish citizenship by naturalisation and is assessed in accordance with Irish nationality law.
This pathway has specific eligibility requirements, including both relationship and residence criteria, which must be met in full before an application can be approved.
Need clarity on your Irish citizenship eligibility?
Eligibility rules can be complex, particularly where permissions, absences, or documentation vary. Understanding your eligibility before applying can help avoid unnecessary delays or refusals.
Processing Time & Next Steps
Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) notes that most applications for Irish citizenship by naturalisation are processed within approximately 12 months, although additional documentation or clarification may be requested during the assessment process.
Successful applicants aged 18 or over are invited to attend an Irish citizenship ceremony, which is a mandatory step before citizenship is granted.
What Do I Need to Submit?
Before submitting your application, ensure your identity documents, good character evidence, and supporting forms meet the required standards:
The exact documents required may vary depending on your individual circumstances, and additional information may be requested during assessment by the Department of Justice.
Commonly Required Supporting Evidence
Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to provide:
Application form completed in full, signed, and submitted with the required fee
Proof of identity and proof of residence meet the required standards
All documents are submitted as certified true copies by an appropriate legal witness
A statutory declaration is completed, signed, dated, and properly witnessed
You meet the good character requirement, including criminal history, immigration compliance, and overall conduct
In some cases, Garda clearance or overseas police certificates may be required, particularly where you have lived outside Ireland for six months or more.
Residency Requirements for Irish Citizenship (5-Year Rule)
To qualify for Irish citizenship by naturalisation, applicants must generally show:​
​1. 1 year continuous residence immediately before applying
2. 4 years residence within the 8 years before that
Total: 5 years in a 9-year period
Absences during the continuous year are limited to 70 days, with an additional 30 in exceptional circumstances at the Minister's discretion.
If you have been outside Ireland for more than 6 months in any year, you may be required to provide police clearance from that country (often referred to as Garda clearance for Irish citizenship or overseas police certificates).
5 Years of Reckonable Residence
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A total of 5 years of reckonable residence within the last 8 years. See Residency Requirements for Irish Citizenship (5-Year Rule) below.
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Each year claimed must be supported by approved residency documents meeting the 150-Point Rule.
1 Year Continuous Residence Before Applying
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One full year of continuous residence in Ireland immediately before applying
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Limited absences only, generally no more than 70 days outside Ireland. See Residency Requirements for Irish Citizenship (5-Year Rule) below.
Not All Permissions Count
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Time spent on student permission (Stamp 2) is generally not reckonable for citizenship. See Which Immigration Permissions May Count? above.
Common Reckonable Permissions
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Time spent on Stamp 1, Stamp 1G, Stamp 3, and Stamp 4 may be reckonable. See Which Immigration Permissions May Count? above.
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All permissions are assessed case by case, based on conditions and documentation
Good Character Requirement
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Applications are assessed for criminal history, immigration compliance, and overall conduct.
Supporting Documents
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You can provide the required supporting documents to evidence your eligibility. See What Do I Need to Submit? below.
Irish Citizenship by Naturalisation
Irish citizenship by naturalisation is the most common pathway for applicants applying based on residence in Ireland. To meet Irish citizenship eligibility, applicants must demonstrate the required period of reckonable residence in Ireland, provide the appropriate Irish citizenship documents, and satisfy the good character requirement, as assessed by the Department of Justice.
The checklist below provides a high-level overview of the key eligibility requirements for Irish citizenship by naturalisation. Detailed documentation rules are explained further below.
Do I Qualify for Irish Citizenship by Naturalisation?
Reckonable Residence in Ireland
Understanding reckonable residence in Ireland is essential before applying for Irish citizenship by naturalisation or Irish citizenship by marriage. Reckonable residence forms a core part of the Irish citizenship requirements assessed by the Department of Justice, and getting it wrong is one of the most common Irish citizenship mistakes to avoid.
What Is Reckonable Residence?
Reckonable residence refers to periods of lawful residence in Ireland that may be counted towards Irish citizenship eligibility under Irish nationality law. Not all time spent in Ireland is considered reckonable.
The Department of Justice assesses reckonable residence based on your immigration permission (stamp) history, the purpose of your stay, and whether each year claimed is supported by sufficient documentary evidence.
When Reckonable Residence Applies
Reckonable residence is a key Irish citizenship requirement for pathways that require a period of lawful residence in Ireland. It does not apply to Irish citizenship by descent, which is assessed based on family connection and documentary proof through Foreign Birth Registration.
Based on general practice and publicly available guidance. All cases are assessed individually by the Department of Justice. This does not represent an official classification.
✓ Reckonable residence applies to
Irish Citizenship by Naturalisation
Irish Citizenship by Marriage or Civil Partnership
— Does not apply to
Irish Citizenship by Descent (Foreign Birth Registration)
Which Immigration Permissions May Count?
Your stamp type determines whether time in Ireland counts as reckonable residence — particularly relevant for applicants on Irish visa types and work permits, or those holding a Stamp 4 visa Ireland citizenship route.
Generally Reckonable
Stamp 1
Employment permit holder
Stamp 1G
Graduate permission
Stamp 3
Assessed case by case
Stamp 4
Common route to citizenship
Generally NOT Reckonable
Stamp 2 / 2A
Student permissions
No valid permission
Time spent without valid immigration permission
Based on general practice and publicly available guidance. All cases are assessed individually by the Department of Justice. This does not represent an official classification.
Irish Citizenship Documents Needed: The 150-Point Rule
Each year of reckonable residence must be supported by one Type A (100 pts) and one Type B (50 pts) document, reaching the 150-point threshold set out in the Citizenship Guidance Document.
Type A documents (100 points)
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Employment Detail Summary (post-2019)
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P60 (pre-2019)
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Department of Social Protection annual statement
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Bank statements (with relevant transaction detail)
Type B documents (50 points)
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Credit card statement
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Rent agreement
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Annual mortgage statement
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Phone bill
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Utility bill
Common mistake: Failing to meet the 150-point threshold without a supporting affidavit is a top reason for rejection — and the €175 application fee is non-refundable.
If unable to reach 150 points for any year, an affidavit may be submitted in exceptional circumstances. A template is available in the Citizenship Guidance Document.
How Reckonable Residence Fits Into Irish Citizenship Eligibility
Time spent on these immigration permissions may count towards Irish citizenship, and the documents listed above are used to prove reckonable residence, but applicants must still meet all other eligibility requirements applicable to their chosen pathway.
The specific residency thresholds and additional eligibility rules are explained in the sections below:
Three Main Pathways
The Department of Justice assesses Irish citizenship eligibility through one of the following routes:
Irish Citizenship by Naturalisation
For individuals living and working in Ireland who apply through the standard naturalisation process.
Irish Citizenship by Marriage or Civil Partnership
For spouses or civil partners of Irish citizens who apply through naturalisation under the rules specific to this pathway.
Irish Citizenship by Descent
For individuals with an Irish-born parent or grandparent who may be eligible through Foreign Birth Registration.
Eligibility Overview
Irish citizenship may be acquired through naturalisation or descent, depending on an applicant’s circumstances.
Naturalisation is the legal process through which most non-Irish nationals become Irish citizens and includes applications based on lawful residence, as well as marriage or civil partnership with an Irish citizen.
Eligibility is assessed through one of three main pathways, outlined below.