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Ireland Citizenship By Ancestry

Written by Mikkel Thorup | January 26, 2023

Ireland is one of the European Union's member countries. As a result, becoming an Irish citizen grants you specific rights as an Irish native who also holds European Union citizenship. Emerald Island provides several benefits to its residents and citizens. These benefits include a high quality of life, a low cost of living compared to other Western European nations, a great education system, a beautiful landscape, a rich culture, and friendly locals.

All of these allures entice individuals from all over the globe to seek Irish citizenship. The same enticement exists for digital nomads. Many nomads are interested in living in Ireland, drawn in by the country's many attractions. For Irish descendants, different options qualify you to apply for Irish citizenship.

 

If you are an Irish descendant, you have more options to apply for Irish citizenship

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR THE IRISH CITIZENSHIP BY ANCESTRY?

To become an Irish citizen by ancestry, you must demonstrate that a qualifying family member, including at least one parent or grandparent, was an Irish citizen with an Irish passport.

However, none of these qualifications make you an Irish citizen; instead, they enable you to apply for the citizenship to which you may be entitled.

The four most prevalent ancestry categories for obtaining Irish citizenship are:

  • If you or your parents were born in Ireland before 2005, you are considered an Irish citizen. You may get an Irish passport without first seeking citizenship.
  • If your Irish parents were born outside of Ireland, you must register via the Foreign Birth Registration.
  • Even if your parents weren't born in Ireland, but your grandparents are Irish, you can still get Irish citizenship if your grandparents are Irish. Your birth must be recorded in the Foreign Births Register.
  • If one of your great-grandparents was born in Ireland, but none of their descendants were, you may petition for citizenship after three years of residency.

In category 1, you are a lawful Irish citizen and may apply for an Irish passport at the closest Irish consulate.

Under categories 2 and 3, you must register in the Foreign Births Register with the appropriate documentation and wait 12 to 18 months.

To be considered to have a strong enough relationship with Ireland under category 4, you must first receive and maintain a residence permit for at least three years. This procedure might take up to 30 months to conclude. You should apply to the Ireland Residency by Program to get a 5-year residency visa. It will help you bolster your claim to a closer relationship with Ireland, allowing you to spend less time in Ireland. The Minister will decide whether your physical presence is sufficient for your status. For the Investor Visa, you preserve your residency if you reside at least one day a year in the country. But you must spend a few months each year in Ireland to apply for naturalization. You must invest at least €500,000 ($541,000 USD) in Ireland to qualify for Ireland residency by Investment Programme.

 

You can travel visa-free across Europe with an Irish passport

STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The Ireland Citizenship by Ancestry application process is outlined here.

 

STAGE 1 (YEAR 1)

Search records in both your own country and Ireland for documentation and proof of ancestry. If you fall into category 1, just apply for an Irish passport at an Irish consulate near you. If you fall into category 2 or 3, you must submit your request to the Foreign Births Register. If you fall into category 4, you must apply for a resident permit, ideally via the Ireland Residency by Investment Program. The application for the procedure might take a few months.

 

STAGE 2 (YEAR 2)

If you fall into category 2 or 3, you should get your citizenship certificate within 12 to 18 months. If you fall into category 4, you will have to wait three years before petitioning the Minister for fast-track naturalization.

 

STAGE 3 (YEAR 4)

After three years of lawful residency, you may petition the Minister for naturalization if you fall into category 4. You must submit all papers verifying your Irish origin. It is predicted that the approval will take 2.5 years.

 

Related content: The Basics Of How To Get A Second Passport Or A Second Residency

 

Ireland Citizenship gives you the sixth-strongest passport in the world

THE ADVANTAGES OF IRISH CITIZENSHIP

As an Irish citizen, you get a lot of benefits from having an Irish passport. You will be eligible for the following benefits if you get Irish citizenship:

 

BEING ABLE TO LIVE WHEREVER YOU WANT

Those with an Irish passport are under no obligation to live in Ireland. As an Irish citizen, you may reside anywhere worldwide, provided you fulfill the applicable country's visa or permit requirements. Because you will also be a citizen of the European Union, like Cyprus, Romania, Latvia, Malta, and Estonia, you will have many alternatives for your place of residence. You will be able to take advantage of Europe's zero-tax residency programs. A tremendous benefit for digital nomads!

 

THE ABILITY TO TRAVEL TO OVER 185 COUNTRIES WITHOUT A VISA

The Irish passport entitles its possessor to visa-free travel across Europe. You will also be able to access more than 188 countries without needing a visa, thanks to the advantage granted by the Irish passport.

 

ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE EU

Ireland is a member of the EU, allowing Irish individuals to freely move among the member states' territory and easily enter and leave the EU countries. Furthermore, as an Irish citizen, you can dwell and work in any EU nation.

 

OBTAINING A PASSPORT WITH A HIGH RANKING

Being an Irish citizen gives you access to the sixth-strongest passport in the world. Aside from possessing such a rating, the Irish passport is also very low-risk, which means that most nations see Irish passport holders favourably. When you consider that Ireland is a member of the European Union, there isn't much that may prevent you from obtaining an Irish passport.

 

Ballina, Ireland

CONCLUSION

Even if you do not reside in Ireland, you may be eligible for Irish citizenship by Ancestry if you have Irish ancestors. What's more, if you decide to live there, you'll quickly understand that it's one of the nicest locations to live in Europe. Contact us today to find out how we can assist you in becoming a dual citizen and enjoying the full advantages of Irish citizenship.