Understanding Irish passport eligibility is crucial for those seeking Irish citizenship. The criteria vary based on birthplace, parental nationality, and ancestry.
Eligibility for Those Born on the Island of Ireland
✔️ Born before 1 January 2005 – You are automatically an Irish citizen and entitled to apply for an Irish passport.
✔️ Born on or after 1 January 2005 – You are entitled to Irish citizenship and an Irish passport if:
- Either of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth.
- Either of your parents was a UK citizen when you were born.
- Neither parent was Irish or UK citizen, but they legally resided in Ireland for at least three out of the four years before your birth.
- Either parent was granted refugee status before you were born.
- You were born in Ireland and are not entitled to citizenship of any other country.
Eligibility for Those Born Outside Ireland
✔️ Born abroad to a parent who was born in Ireland – You are automatically an Irish citizen and can apply for an Irish passport.
✔️ Born abroad to an Irish grandparent – You can become an Irish citizen by registering on the Foreign Birth Register, after which you can apply for an Irish passport.
✔️ Born abroad to an Irish great-grandparent – You may be eligible if your parent was registered on the Foreign Birth Register before you were born. After registering yourself, you can apply for an Irish passport.
Other Routes to Irish Citizenship and Passport Eligibility
✔️ Adopted by an Irish citizen parent – You are automatically an Irish citizen and entitled to an Irish passport.
✔️ Granted Irish citizenship by naturalisation – Once you receive your Certificate of Naturalisation, you can apply for an Irish passport.
✔️ Citizenship through special declaration – You may be eligible if:
- You were born on the island of Ireland between 2 December 1999 and 31 December 2004 to a foreign national with diplomatic immunity at the time.
- You were born in Irish airspace or sea territory between 2 December 1999 and 31 December 2004, in a foreign ship or aircraft.