In-Ireland Immigration Services
Irish citizenship by naturalisation
You may be eligible to apply for Irish citizenship by naturalisation if you are living in the State or if you are living on the island of Ireland and married to an Irish citizen. Naturalisation is the process by which a foreign national living in Ireland may apply to become an Irish citizen. Naturalisation is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Naturalisation is granted by the Minister for Justice in her “absolute discretion”.
Criterias for naturalisation applications
Criteria for applying as an adult
- Are of full age (aged 18 or over, or if aged under 18 you are married)
- Meet the relevant conditions for residence
- Intend to reside in the State or if you are spouse/civil partner of an Irish citizen intend to reside on the island of Ireland
- Are of good character
- Will attend a citizenship ceremony and make the declaration of fidelity.
Dependant young adults who are non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss citizens
A ‘dependent young adult‘ is someone who depends on their parents for accommodation and general living expenses.
- Are aged 18-23 when you apply
- Entered the State legally as part of a family unit
- Are currently attending secondary school in the State, or you went directly from secondary school into third level education in the State
- Are continuously dependent on your parents, you are not financially independent.
Criteria for applying as an adult
- Are of full age (aged 18 or over, or if aged under 18 you are married)
- Meet the relevant conditions for residence
- Intend to reside in the State or if you are spouse/civil partner of an Irish citizen intend to reside on the island of Ireland
- Are of good character
- Will attend a citizenship ceremony and make the declaration of fidelity.
Dependant young adults who are non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss citizens
A ‘dependent young adult‘ is someone who depends on their parents for accommodation and general living expenses.
- Are aged 18-23 when you apply
- Entered the State legally as part of a family unit
- Are currently attending secondary school in the State, or you went directly from secondary school into third level education in the State
- Are continuously dependent on your parents, you are not financially independent.
Non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss nationals
Adult application based on residence for non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss nationals
To apply for citizenship by naturalisation based on residence, you must prove that you:
- Have been – and are now – legally resident in the State, and
- Have built up enough ‘reckonable residence’ in the State
Applicants will be required to reach a score of 150 points in each of the years proof of residency is required. You must prove that you have been legally resident in the State for at least 5 years out of the last 9 years. This includes 1 year of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply. You can do this by showing your immigration permission stamps or documents from the Department of Justice indicating your permissions granted.
You must show that you built up enough reckonable residence in the State to be granted citizenship, specifically: 1825 or 1826 days of reckonable residence based on your accumulated permission stamps. This includes 365 or 366 days (1 year) of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply.
UK, EU/EEA and Swiss nationals
Adult application based on residence for UK, EU/EEA and Swiss nationals
To apply for citizenship by naturalisation based on residence, you must prove that you have been resident in the State for at least 5 years (1825 or 1826 days) out of the last 9 years.This includes 1 year (365 or 366 days) of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply. UK, EU/EEA and Swiss nationals do not need to use the residence calculator. Instead, you must submit various documents that prove the length of your residence in Ireland.
Applicants will be required to reach a score of 150 points in each of the years proof of residency is required.
Partner or Spouse to an Irish Citizen
Adult application based on marriage or civil partnership to an Irish citizen
You can apply for citizenship by naturalisation based on your marriage to or being the civil partner of an Irish citizen. To apply, you must meet the eligibility and other requirements listed below. You must:
Have been married to, or in a civil partnership with, an Irish citizen for 3 years
- Have been (and are now) living together in an ongoing marriage/civil partnership of not less than 3 years
- Be of full age (18 or over) when you apply.
You must prove that you have been legally resident on the island of Ireland for at least 3 years out of the last 5 years. This includes 1 year of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply. You must be legally resident on the island of Ireland. If you are a non EU/EEA and non-Swiss spouse/civil partner of an Irish national, you must keep your immigration registration up-to-date at all times during your residence both in the State and on the Island of Ireland.
Calculation of reckonable residence for Non EU/EEA and non Swiss nationals. You must show that you built up enough reckonable residence on the island of Ireland to be granted citizenship, specifically:
1095 or 1096 days of reckonable residence based on your accumulated permission stamps
This includes 365 or 366 days (1 year) of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply