Join Family: spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen
The non-EEA spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen can apply for permission to live in Ireland. Visa-required nationals apply for a long-stay 'D' Join Family visa before travelling; others enter and register. Permission is not automatic: Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) looks at the genuineness of the relationship and the sponsor's finances under the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy. Once granted, the spouse can live and work without an employment permit.
Life in Ireland
Money
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
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Non-EEA nationals married to, or in a recognised civil partnership with, an Irish citizen, who intend to live together in Ireland.
Eligibility
Age
At least 18 at the time of application.
Relationship
A marriage or civil partnership freely entered into, lawfully conducted and recognised under Irish law; the couple live in the same household and intend to keep living together in Ireland. A relationship that developed only online or by phone is not enough.
Sponsor's income
- Less thanEUR 75,000
- of not
- e.g.EUR 25,000
- a year)
ISD's current financial thresholds page: a Category A sponsor (for example an Irish citizen) must have earned gross income, over and above any State benefits, of not less than EUR 75,000 cumulative over the 3 years before the application (for example EUR 25,000 a year). Only one sponsor's income counts.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementState supports
- Document checklistOnline visa application (AVATS) for a D Join Family visa
- FeesLong-stay visa, single entry
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 more requirements
- 5 documents
- 1 fee
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Ireland
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- Immigration Service Delivery - Financial Thresholds for Non-EEA Family Reunification
- Immigration Service Delivery - Spouse/Civil Partner of Irish National Scheme (updated 17 February 2026)
- Immigration Service Delivery - Preclearance and entry visas fees
- Department of Justice (gov.ie) - Family Reunification Review press release (26 November 2025)
Other routes to Ireland
- Visit & tourismShort stay 'C' visit (tourist) visa
- StudyStudent permission (Stamp 2) for full-time degree programmes
- Work permitsCritical Skills Employment Permit
- Asylum & protectionInternational protection in Ireland
- CitizenshipIrish citizenship by naturalisation
- Work permitsGeneral Employment Permit
