🇮🇪 Irish citizenship · By birth
Irish citizenship by birth
A child born in Ireland can become a citizen automatically, and the parents can get a passport after five years of legal residence.
Ireland is a country in Western Europe covering most of the island of the same name, an EU member state with its capital in Dublin. A child born here receives Irish citizenship by birthright if certain conditions are met, and that also opens a path to a passport for the rest of the family.
Legal grounds
Citizenship by birth in Ireland is not automatic for everyone - what matters is who the parents are and how long they have legally lived in the country.
Who gets citizenship automatically
- Children born in Ireland if at least one parent is an Irish or British citizen, or has the right to live permanently in Northern Ireland.
- Children of foreign parents who have legally lived in the country for at least three years before the child was born.
- Children of parents who had no legal status at the time of birth - if the parents then live in the country for 5 years.
Citizenship for parents and relatives
The parents of a child who is an Irish citizen can obtain a residence permit through family reunification and, after five years of legal residence, apply for citizenship by naturalization. The child's brothers and sisters do not get citizenship automatically: they too need a family reunification residence permit and five years in the country. The same applies to other relatives, grandparents for example.
Russian citizens need a visa to enter Ireland. For a child to receive an Irish passport automatically, the parents first need legal status in the country - through employment, study, family reunification, investment or marriage to an Irish citizen.
Benefits of an Irish passport
Freedom to travel
Visa-free or simplified entry to 189 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States and the EU.
High standard of living
Quality education, healthcare and social protection.
Dual citizenship
Ireland allows its citizens to hold more than one citizenship.
Living and working in the EU
Irish citizens can live and work freely in any European Union country.
How to get citizenship: step by step
Meet the residence conditions
One parent must be an Irish or British citizen, or foreign parents must have legally lived in the country for at least three years before the birth.
Give birth in Ireland
Choosing a hospital, preparing the documents and registering the birth with the civil registry office to obtain the birth certificate.
Citizenship for the child
Filling in the passport application form at the Irish Passport Office and submitting the documents in person or by post.
Residence permit for the parents
A parent without status applies for a residence permit through family reunification.
Citizenship for the parents
After five years in the country on a residence permit, the parents can apply for citizenship.
FAQ
Can a child of foreign parents born in Ireland get citizenship?
Do you have to give up your previous citizenship?
What are the language requirements?
How much does giving birth in Ireland cost?
189 countries visa-free with an Irish passport
Europe
The Americas
Asia and Oceania
Africa
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