Long-Term Stay - More Than 90 Days
Joining an EEA or Swiss National in Ireland
EU treaty rights
Ireland is a Member State of the European Union (EU) and, as such, it offers freedom of movement to nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and certain family members.
The relevant EU legislation in this regard is the ‘Directive on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States’ (Directive 2004/38/EC), which was published in 2004.
Joining an EEA or Swiss National in Ireland
If you wish to remain in the State for more than 3 months as a family member of an EU citizen exercising their free movement rights, you must apply (when in the State) for a Residence Card of a family member of a Union citizen.
Qualifying family member & Permitted family member
Qualifying family member
The list of ‘qualifying family members’ is as follows:
- Spouse
- Child (under 21 years)
- Child (under 21 years) of the spouse
- Adopted child (subject to adoption papers)
- Dependent parent
- Dependent parent of the spouse
- Other dependent family members in the direct ascending line (for example, grandparent) or descending line (for example, grandchild)
- Other dependent family members of the spouse in the direct ascending (for example, grandparent) or descending line (for example, grandchild).
If you are a ‘qualifying family member’ of an EU/EEA /Swiss citizen you are exempt from the visa fee.
Permitted family member
Permitted family members include de facto partners, dependent family members, and members of the EU citizen household or dependent family members on medical grounds. Visa-required family members must apply for an entry visa into the State.