Residence card for non-EEA family members of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens
EU Treaty Rights · Official name: Residence Card of a family member of a Union citizen (EU Treaty Rights; Forms EUTR1 / EUTR1A)
Non-EEA family members of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who lives in Ireland and is working, self-employed, studying or self-sufficient there can apply to the EU Treaty Rights Division for a residence card. Spouses, civil partners, children and grandchildren under 21, and dependent older children and parents are 'qualifying' family members (Form EUTR1). De facto partners, other dependants or household members, and people needing the EU citizen's personal care are 'permitted' family members (Form EUTR1A), assessed case by case. You must be in Ireland to apply; decisions can take up to 6 months. After 5 continuous years you can apply for a Permanent Residence Card, valid for 10 years. EU Treaty Rights generally do not apply to family members of Irish citizens.
Life in Ireland
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
102
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–40%
Income tax (national)
VAT 23% · social security 4.2%
40% above EUR 44,000 (single); plus USC of 0.5-8% and PRSI. Tax credits apply.
Living
1
Happiness
#13 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss family members living in Ireland with an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen (or certain UK citizens covered by the Withdrawal Agreement) who is exercising free movement rights in Ireland.
Eligibility
EU citizen exercising Treaty rights in IrelandEU citizen
Sign in to check this route against your profileTo stay more than 3 months, the EU, EEA or Swiss family member must be exercising Treaty rights, and you both must live in Ireland.
- Qualifying activities: working, self-employed, studying, or living in Ireland with sufficient resources
- Studying counts for qualifying family members only
Official wording
To stay more than 3 months, the EU, EEA or Swiss family member must be working, self-employed, studying (for qualifying family members only) or living in Ireland with sufficient resources. Both of you must be living in Ireland.
Qualifying family members (Form EUTR1)Family member
Sign in to check this route against your profileApply on Form EUTR1 if you are a spouse, civil partner, or a qualifying child, grandchild or parent of the EU citizen.
- Direct descendants under 21 of the EU citizen or their spouse/civil partner
- Dependent direct descendants aged 21 or more
- Dependent direct relatives in the ascending line, for example parents
Official wording
The spouse or civil partner; direct descendants (children or grandchildren) under 21 of the EU citizen or their spouse/civil partner; dependent direct descendants aged 21 or more; and dependent direct relatives in the ascending line (for example parents) of the EU citizen or their spouse/civil partner.
Permitted family members (Form EUTR1A)Family member
Sign in to check this route against your profileApply on Form EUTR1A if you are a de facto partner, a dependent or household member, or need personal care on serious health grounds.
- De facto partner: living together for a substantial period, intending to live together indefinitely
- Partner must not be related by blood or in another relationship
- Dependent on, or in the household of, the EU citizen in the country you came from
- The Minister decides whether to treat you as a permitted family member
Official wording
A de facto partner in a durable relationship (living together for a substantial period, intending to live together indefinitely, not related by blood, not in another relationship); family members who were dependent on, or members of the household of, the EU citizen in the country they came from; or people who strictly need the EU citizen's personal care on serious health grounds. The Minister decides whether to treat you as a permitted family member and may give a temporary permission stamp while the application is processed.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
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- 3 more requirements
- 5 documents
- 1 fee
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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