How to Become an Irish Citizen by Naturalisation

What Is Irish Citizenship by Naturalisation?

Naturalisation may be available to:

• Adults aged 18 or over who have built up sufficient lawful residence in Ireland.

• Non-EEA nationals who entered Ireland on employment permits and have maintained valid immigration permission throughout their stay.

• Spouses or civil partners of Irish citizens under a reduced residence requirement of 3 years.

• Children or minors, in specific, limited circumstances.

Residence Requirements Explained

To qualify for naturalisation under the standard residence route, an applicant must show:

1. One year of continuous residence immediately before applying, and

2. A total of four years’ reckonable residence in Ireland, overall 5.

During the final year before application, absences from the State are strictly limited:

• Up to 70 days outside Ireland are permitted as a general rule.

• A further 30 days may be disregarded at the discretion of the Minister, but only in exceptional circumstances.

Exceeding these limits can place an application at risk, even where overall residence is otherwise sufficient. In addition, if any of the four years of residence relied upon prior to the final year includes absences of more than 70 days, that specific year will not be counted as reckonable residence for naturalisation purposes.

Reckonable Residence and Immigration Stamps

Not all immigration permissions count towards reckonable residence for naturalisation.

As a general rule:

• Stamps 1, 1G, 1A, 3, 4, and 5 are considered reckonable for naturalisation purposes, and student or temporary permissions are generally not considered reckonable.

The Good Character Requirement

All applicants must be assessed as being of good character. This assessment considers factors such as:

• Criminal convictions or ongoing prosecutions.

• Compliance with Irish immigration law.

• Broader public interest considerations.

As part of this assessment, applicants are required to complete Garda vetting in the months following submission of the application.

Supporting Documents

When you apply for Irish citizenship by naturalisation, the supporting evidence you submit is one of the most important factors in whether your application can be processed and ultimately succeed. The Department of Justice uses a scorecard system to assess both identity and residence.

To prove your identity, you must reach a score of 150 points using documents from the official identity scorecard.

• A single document that reaches 150 points (for example, a certified colour copy of the biometric page of your valid passport) is sufficient on its own. 
• If you use multiple documents, their combined score must reach at least 150 points.
• Alongside your passport, you must submit a completed Passport Certification Form, confirming that the copy of your passport is a true copy of the original.

To demonstrate you meet the residence requirement, you must accumulate 150 points per year of residency that you are relying on to meet the five‑year residence requirement, by combining

Applications for naturalisation are submitted online through the Immigration Service Delivery system. An application fee of €175 is payable before processing begins.

After submission and uploading all required documents, applications undergo several stages of assessment. In the months following submission, applicants are typically invited to complete Garda e-vetting, and additional documentation may be requested depending on individual circumstances. Upon approval of an application, a certification fee of up to €950 is payable.

You are then invited to make the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish nation and loyalty to the State at a citizenship ceremony. An invitation is issued by post or email in advance of the scheduled ceremony. Attending the citizenship ceremony is the final step in the naturalisation process, and you may bring one adult guest with you on the day.

Processing Times and Decisions

Processing times vary, but many applications take around 12 months or longer from submission to decision. Delays may arise where residence evidence is incomplete or where additional checks are required.

Naturalisation decisions are made at the discretion of the Minister. There is no formal appeal process, but reasons for refusal are provided.

If an Application Is Refused

A refusal does not prevent a future application. In most cases, applicants may reapply once the issues identified in the refusal decision have been addressed, such as residence gaps or documentation deficiencies.

Why This Matters for Work Permit Holders