You may qualify for Irish citizenship through naturalisation if:

✔️ You currently reside in the State (the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland).
✔️ You reside anywhere on the island of Ireland and are married to an Irish citizen (as per Section 15A(1) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended).
✔️ You have Irish descent or associations.
✔️ You have been employed abroad in the Irish public service.
✔️ You have been recognised as a refugee or stateless person under Irish law.

To obtain a Certificate of Naturalisation, applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

✔️ Be 18 years or older (or married if under 18).
✔️ Meet residency requirements.
✔️ Intend to continue residing in the State (or on the island of Ireland if a spouse/civil partner of an Irish citizen).
✔️ Demonstrate good character.
✔️ Attend a citizenship ceremony and make a declaration of fidelity.

Applying for Irish Citizenship

Citizenship Application for Adults

Most adult applicants, including spouses of Irish citizens, must complete and submit Form 8 (CTZ3).

Citizenship Application for Dependant Young Adults

A dependant young adult refers to a person who relies on their parents for housing and living expenses. Individuals aged 18 to 23 may apply for citizenship as a dependant young adult if they:

✔️ Legally entered Ireland as part of a family unit.
✔️ Are attending secondary school or moved directly into third-level education in Ireland.
✔️ Remain financially dependent on their parents.

Dependant young adults must also apply using Form 8 (CTZ3).

Citizenship Application for Minors (Children Under 18)

A minor (child under 18) cannot apply for citizenship independently. A parent, legal guardian, or a person acting in loco parentis must submit the application on their behalf.

A child may be eligible for citizenship under the following circumstances:

✔️ Parent is a naturalised Irish citizen, and the child has lived in Ireland for at least three years (Form 9 required).
✔️ Child is of Irish descent or has Irish associations (through blood, adoption, or affinity) (Form 10 required, completed by the parent or guardian).
✔️ Born in Ireland after 31st December 2005 but not automatically entitled to Irish citizenship at birth. In such cases, both the child and their parent/guardian must have accrued five years of reckonable residence before the child’s birth (Form 11 required).

Citizenship Through Irish Ancestry & Foreign Birth Registration

Individuals with Irish ancestry may be eligible to apply for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration, subject to meeting specific criteria.

Citizenship Through an Irish-Born Child or Parent

If you are a parent of an Irish citizen child, you may apply for citizenship after three years of residency in Ireland. Under Section 16(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, the Minister may waive the standard five-year residency requirement based on Irish associations or close family ties.

Citizenship by Marriage to an Irish Citizen

A person married to an Irish citizen can apply for naturalisation after three years of residency instead of five. The marriage must have lasted for at least three years before applying. Applicants residing in Northern Ireland are also eligible. Upon obtaining citizenship, the applicant must declare their intention to continue residing on the island of Ireland, not just within the Republic.

Citizenship for Refugees

Recognised refugees may apply for Irish citizenship after three years, with the residency period counting from the date they applied for international protection rather than the date they were granted refugee status.

However, individuals holding Subsidiary Protection are not eligible for this exemption and must complete five years of reckonable residency, unless they qualify under another category, such as being a spouse or parent of an Irish citizen.