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IrelandCitizenshipLast checked October 16, 2026

Irish citizenship by naturalisation

Adults who have lived legally in Ireland for 5 years of reckonable residence can apply to the Minister for Justice for a certificate of naturalisation. Spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens can apply after 3 years of residence on the island of Ireland. The process is mostly online, and successful adults must attend a citizenship ceremony. The Government approved a General Scheme in September 2026 to raise residence to 8 years and add language, civics and self-sufficiency tests, but this is not yet law.

See requirements ↓

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.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.9

#13 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Adults lawfully resident in Ireland on reckonable permissions for 5 years, spouses or civil partners of Irish citizens with 3 years' residence, refugees, and parents applying for certain minors.

Eligibility

  • Age

    You must be 18 or over to apply yourself; a parent or guardian applies for minors.

    • Minors cannot apply themselves
    • A parent, guardian or person acting in loco parentis applies for a minor
    Official wording

    You must be 18 or over. Minors cannot apply themselves; a parent, guardian or person acting in loco parentis applies for them.

  • 5 years' reckonable residenceResidence-based route (adults)

    You need one continuous year of residence right before applying, plus 4 years in the 8 years before that.

    Reckonable residence for non-EEA, non-Swiss nationals

    Total days
    1825 or 1826 days
    Final year
    1 year
    Earlier periodwithin the 8 years before
    4 years
    Official wording

    You need one full year of continuous residence right before applying, plus a total of 4 years in the 8 years before that. For non-EEA, non-Swiss nationals this means 1825 or 1826 days of reckonable residence.

  • Absences in the qualifying year

    In the year right before you apply, you can be away for up to a set number of days.

    Absence allowed in the qualifying year

    Normal limitin the year before applying
    70 days
    Extra in exceptional casesMinister's discretion
    30 days
    Official wording

    In the year right before you apply, you can be away for up to 70 days. A further 30 days may be allowed in exceptional cases, at the Minister's discretion.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementSpouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen
  • Document checklistOnline naturalisation application
  • FeesApplication fee

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.

  • 8 more requirements
  • 11 documents
  • 5 fees
  • 8 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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