From its raw natural beauty to its warm, welcoming people, Ireland is a special destination with a unique culture.
Expect the unexpected on this island, whether it’s the fast pace of life in the capital, Dublin, with its abundant art, culture and history or the more relaxed setting of rural Ireland which is packed with great music, stunning scenery and unlikely stories.
While the population of the island of Ireland is over seven million, it’s estimated that a further 70 million people around the globe claim Irish ancestry, with a substantial number of these holding Irish citizenship.
Large numbers of second and third-generation Irish people currently live in the English-speaking world in countries like the US, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia and the ‘home’ country has a relatively relaxed attitude to handing out a passport to members of the (Irish) diaspora.
As a result, Ireland allows dual citizenship, meaning aspiring citizens can claim an Irish passport while remaining a citizen of another country. There are many benefits to becoming an Irish citizen, so it’s no surprise that many of those who qualify through their ancestry avail of it – think Mel Gibson and Denis Leary.
Citizenship by descent isn’t the only route though. There are other methods, including a path for entrepreneurs that lets you take advantage of Ireland’s low corporate tax rate.
Regardless of the specific route you’re considering, it’s good to have experienced experts on your side. Contact our team today and let Nomad Capitalist help you go where you’re treated best.
Dual Irish Citizenship
Dual Citizenship refers to the status of being a citizen of two countries concurrently.
As a dual citizen, you have the legal entitlement to possess two passports and access the benefits and privileges of both countries of citizenship, including social service. You are also bound by the laws of both countries as a dual citizen.
It’s important to note that not all countries recognize dual citizenship, and the laws and application processes can be complicated.
Many countries allow multiple citizenships. However, your options largely depend on your original citizenship.
Building a passport portfolio will cover all bases if you are looking for asset protection, diversification, and more freedom.
One option for Irish dual citizenship is if at least one of your parents is an Irish citizen, even if you were born outside of Ireland. In this case, you will automatically be granted Irish citizenship.
Benefits of Irish Citizenship
If you have the opportunity to claim Irish citizenship, you will have access to one of the best countries in Western Europe, with a number of advantages.
Unrestricted Access to the European Union
As an Irish citizen, you will have the right to reside on the Emerald Isle indefinitely. However, holding Irish citizenship and an Irish passport also allows you to travel freely throughout the European Union (EU).
You will enjoy the freedom to live, work, study and travel in all European Union and EAA (European Economic Area) countries and in Britain.
English Speaking
While English is widely spoken across the EU, Ireland offers the advantage of being the only EU countries, post-Brexit, where English is the predominant language, making travel and business far more accessible.
English and Irish Gaeilge are the official languages of the Republic of Ireland. Although the mother tongue has seen a revival in recent years, you won’t be expected to speak Irish to get by in daily life.
Welcoming Culture
There is nothing quite like an Irish welcome.
Unlike the weather, the Irish people have a well-deserved reputation for being warm, welcoming and friendly. Generally, locals are known for being sociable, polite and willing to lend a hand to newcomers. They have a relaxed attitude and a great sense of humour, easily engaging in friendly conversation.
As a citizen of Ireland, you’ll enjoy the comforts of high-quality living in a unique culture. In general, the Irish are known to be a little less reserved than in some other European nations, with a well-earned reputation for being fun-loving and chatty.
Quality Education
Ireland also offers some of the best education and universities available within the EU. Irish universities are highly regarded for research and are among the top 1% of research institutions globally.
Specifically, Ireland ranks second for Chemistry and Nanotechnology, third for Animal, Dairy and Agricultural Sciences and fourth for Mathematics. Studying in Ireland offers you the choice of more than 5000 globally recognised qualifications.
Booming Economy
Despite the economic struggles and record borrowing faced by many governments worldwide, including the United States, the Irish economy has been thriving.
One reason for this impressive growth is Ireland’s attractive business environment. Ireland has drawn in significant foreign investment by offering Europe’s lowest corporate tax rate, which stands at 12.5% for trading income and 15% for large multinationals. That compares to an EU average of around 21% and a 25% rate in the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, UK businesses seeking access to the European market have sought refuge in Ireland post-Brexit, boosting domestic production and exports.
The country has a stellar reputation in IT, but less publicised is the boom in Ireland’s pharmaceutical industry, which has been driving renewed investment. Ireland’s access to advanced machinery, skilled workforce and competitive business rates makes it an attractive location for pharmaceutical companies to set up European operations.
Entrepreneur Friendly
Ireland has been ranked as one of the best countries for business and innovation, not just for massive multinationals but also for start-up businesses.
Since IBM established its first regional headquarters in Ireland in 1956, the country has been a popular destination for tech companies, with major players like Apple, Microsoft, Intel, Amazon, Meta and Google establishing operations there.
In addition to its tax incentives, which include low corporate tax rates, Ireland has a flexible approach to new businesses, low levels of bureaucracy and a consistently pro-business economic policy.
Ireland also ranks highly for its workforce’s educational standards, productivity and flexibility, making it an incredibly attractive location for entrepreneurs.
Favourable Taxes
One of the major contributing factors to Ireland’s economic success is its low corporate tax rate of just 12.5%. Despite the fact that Ireland has signed an agreement to implement a 15% rate, this only applies to groups with revenue of €750 million or more.
If you’re thinking about establishing your company in Ireland to take advantage of low corporate tax rates, then you need to look at the bigger picture by considering where your company’s head office, employees, customers and suppliers are located.
It’s necessary to do more than simply establish an office in Ireland, incorporate your business or hire an Irish accountant. To avail of the favourable tax system in Ireland, you must meet all residency and director jurisdiction rules.
Setting up a corporation and understanding whether you qualify for a particular corporate tax rate is a complicated topic no matter where you are in the world, and that’s where our team comes in. As a Nomad Capitalist client, our team of country-specific advisors will leave no stone unturned in devising a strategy to maximise your financial and lifestyle gains.
Extra Benefit of an Irish Passport
Holding an Irish passport comes with a myriad of benefits, including travel to 175 countries on either a visa-free basis, with a visa on arrival or via an eTA (electronic Travel Authorisation).
Citizens of Ireland and Britain also enjoy exclusive rights under the two countries’ Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement. This unique agreement gives Irish and UK citizens the ability to travel, reside, work and study within the Common Travel Area, which covers all of Ireland and all of the UK. Irish and British citizens can enjoy other associated benefits of each other’s countries, including access to social benefits, healthcare and housing support.
For all of the above reasons, the Irish passport is one of the best in the world and the only European passport that lets you travel freely to the UK. But since the CTA benefits cut both ways, that means the Irish passport and dual citizenship has become incredibly popular among British citizens with an Irish heritage as it allows them to regain their EU citizenship after the Brexit debacle.
It surprised no-one when Brexit triggered a substantial increase in the number of applications for Irish passports, with more than 700,000 passports issued to UK citizens in its aftermath. For business travellers looking for a second passport, Irish citizenship allows travel throughout Europe, North America and Britain.
An Irish passport is an ace card, and you may even be eligible for one by ancestry. Let’s now look at the different methods of becoming an Irish Citizen.
Becoming an Irish Citizen
An Irish passport confers citizenship to a wonderful country. It’s a powerful travel document that affords the bearer advantages in terms of lower taxes and you may be eligible for one through your ancestry. So let’s look at the different methods of becoming an Irish Citizen.
Dual Irish Citizenship for Entrepreneurs
As with other Golden Visa programs in Europe, Ireland’s Golden Visa program was scrapped in 2023. However, there are still ways for investors to get a foothold there, such as gaining Irish citizenship through investment.
One option is the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP), which allows a non-EEA national, with a minimum funding of €50,000, to set up a business in Ireland. Being accepted into the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme does not automatically make you a citizen. It offers a two-year temporary residence permit that is renewable for a further three years. After five years, you can apply for long-term residence.
Highly Skilled Worker Programs
While Irish citizenship by investment is no longer an option, there are still opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs to gain long-term access to Ireland via programs such as the country’s Highly Skilled Worker or High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) program.
If an individual establishes a high-potential start-up business, they can obtain two years of residence, followed by up to three years of renewal and, potentially, they can gain long-term residency in Ireland.
How to Claim Irish Citizenship by Marriage
The naturalisation process in Ireland allows foreign nationals to become Irish citizens after a qualifying period of time has passed.
To qualify for Irish citizenship through naturalisation, you must have resided in Ireland for at least five years of the preceding nine years of application.
The citizenship by marriage option involves living in Ireland with your Irish spouse for at least three out of five years (including one year of continued residence before you apply), after which you may apply for an Irish passport.
Ireland recognises same-sex marriage, so your sexual orientation poses no obstacle to obtaining a marriage certificate and an Irish passport.
How to Claim Irish Citizenship by Descent
If you have Irish ancestors, as a surprising amount of people do, you’re entitled to Irish citizenship.
Ireland’s citizenship-by-descent program is partly shaped by the nation’s history and turbo-boosted by a strong desire to reconnect with and, perhaps, repatriate the Irish diaspora.
Following the emigration of millions of Irish, primarily to the United States, Britain and Australia in the 1800s, a large number of US citizens, as well as other nationalities, are eligible to claim Irish citizenship by descent.
Some 23 US Presidents claim Irish heritage with many, including JFK, Clinton, Obama and Biden, having made a transatlantic pilgrimage to the Emerald Isle to lay claim to their Gaelic roots.
Prove your own family connection to Ireland and you’ll be rewarded with EU citizenship in one of the world’s wealthiest countries. You also have the benefit of transferring Irish citizenship to your children.
The Perfect Plan B
Securing dual citizenship is the perfect Plan B, should circumstances dictate that you need to leave your home country and plant a flag elsewhere. In the case of Ireland, whether you want to move now or in the future, it gives you new investment opportunities, an excellent lifestyle, great travel perks and the potential to diversify your life and assets.
As we know, an Irish passport also confers citizenship on your dependents, an attractive benefit if you want to move your whole family.
Apply to become a Nomad Capitalist client today so we can help you achieve dual citizenship, whether that’s in Ireland or elsewhere.
Dual Citizenship Ireland: FAQs
Yes. US citizens are permitted to hold dual citizenship with Ireland as the two countries have strong connections and a cooperation agreement in place. Those with Irish and US dual citizenship enjoy the same privileges as other Irish citizens while retaining all their rights as US citizens. However, US citizens should note that because of US citizenship-based taxation, unless you renounce US citizenship, you will be taxed by the US Government no matter where you live.
Yes. Holding British and Irish dual citizenship is possible if you meet the requirements. Obtaining Irish citizenship, along with a top-ranking passport, is an attractive option for many British citizens post-Brexit.
How difficult or lengthy the process is depends on which route you take for Irish citizenship. If you’re from the USA, you may qualify for Irish citizenship by descent. The naturalisation process is another option for foreign nationals hoping to get Irish citizenship status, generally taking around 19 months to be approved.
A wide variety of people can obtain Irish citizenship via naturalisation, marriage or ancestry.
The process for applying and qualifying for citizenship by descent requires proving Irish ancestry through an Irish parent, grandparent or, in certain circumstances, great-grandparent. Registering with the Foreign Births Register is necessary to establish ancestral citizenship for future generations.
The application fee is €175 and there’s a further fee of up to €950 if your application is successful.
Claim Irish Citizenship and Enhance Your Global Freedom
Ireland is an appealing nation with stunning natural beauty and friendly, welcoming people. But that’s not all this ancient land has to offer those considering establishing residence or citizenship there. According to the Global Peace Index, it’s a vibrant, economically successful country as well as being the world’s fifth most-friendly country.
Our Nomad Capitalist philosophy of going where you are treated best helps you achieve the best combination of tax planning, dual citizenship and asset protection strategies. Ireland ticks all the boxes for being the ideal location to move to as a resident or hold a second passport.
Nomad Capitalist has helped 1,500+ high-net-worth clients from around the world. Find out how by becoming a client today and start creating your very own holistic action plan.
