How to Get Irish Citizenship by Descent from Grandparents 

The Irish have a well-earned reputation for being some of the friendliest people in the world. And when it comes to the kind of offshore strategies we talk about at Nomad Capitalist, Ireland ticks a lot of boxes.

With one of Europe’s lowest corporate tax rates, beautiful landscapes and hearty cuisine, why not honour your Irish heritage by becoming an official Irish citizen through family ties?

Ireland is one of the easiest places to get second citizenship if you have an Irish parent, grandparent or, in some cases, great-grandparent.

At Nomad Capitalist, we provide our clients with a turnkey solution for offshore tax planning, dual citizenship, asset protection, and global diversification. Apply to become a client today.

Benefits of Being an Irish Citizen

The population of the Republic of Ireland is around just 5 million, yet nearly 16 million Irish passports are in circulation. The Irish diaspora, which has dispersed in numbers to places like Australia, the UK, mainland Europe, and South and North America, account for most of these.

In the United States alone, there are more than 31.5 million people with an Irish lineage. They account for almost 10% of the entire United States population and can claim the benefits of Irish citizenship. 

The country has a very open policy of granting citizenship to those whose family tree includes ancestors from Ireland. In fact, there are more than 10 million non-resident passport holders taking advantage of dual citizenship from the Emerald Isle.

But what exactly are the benefits?

Access to the European Union 

Irish citizens are also citizens of the European Union – the prosperous union of 27 nations that promotes the free flow of its people within its vast borders. As an Irish citizen, you’ll be free to live, travel and work anywhere within the EU.

Live Anywhere You Want

Another plus is that, unlike US passport holders, Irish passport holders have no obligation to live in Ireland. Once you have Irish citizenship, you can live anywhere in the world or become a nomad with few or no tax issues. For example, if you plan on living outside of Ireland, having EU citizenship will allow you to take advantage of Europe’s zero-tax residency programs.

Enjoy Visa-Free Access to 173 Countries

The Irish passport is one of the best you can get. It’s ranked the fourth best in the world in our Nomad Passport Index 2023, offering visa-free access to 173 countries, including the United States and Canada (the most difficult one to access) and freedom of movement around Europe.

On top of that, it is also an extremely low-risk passport. The country’s geographic location as an island alone reduces the geopolitical risks common in other EU countries. More importantly, it has the backing of the EU and is one of the most business-friendly countries to choose from.

There are other ways to obtain Irish citizenship beyond ancestral ties. For instance, you can qualify for citizenship by running a business. While Ireland is business-friendly, you would have to live there to qualify. That would be a difficult situation for many people who aren’t looking to live in Ireland for the next five years. That’s why the citizenship by descent option is so attractive.

In the wake of Brexit, the Irish passport grew in popularity. In 2022, a record 1,080,000 Irish passports were issued, a large portion of which were British applicants. 

It allows many UK citizens with Irish ancestry to maintain their status as EU citizens. But the passport isn’t just a good deal for the British; it is an excellent opportunity for anyone who qualifies for an EU passport.

Who Qualifies for Irish Citizenship by Descent?

Ireland’s citizenship program is one of the few that is very clear. The process is transparent in terms of the Irish citizenship by descent requirements. If you have an Irish parent or an Irish citizenship grandparent, you are eligible to become an Irish citizen under Irish law.

Many other countries with similar programs are tangled in unambiguity and involve lots of paperwork just to know if you pass the requirements for citizenship by descent. Thankfully, the Irish made things pretty uncomplicated in this regard.

Does Ireland Give Citizenship by Birth?

If you fit one of the following categories, you are automatically considered an Irish citizen:

• You were born on the island of Ireland to an Irish citizen.
• You were born on the island of Ireland to a non-Irish citizen who satisfied certain conditions (i.e. 3-4 years of residence in Ireland) at the time of your birth.
• You were born outside Ireland to Irish citizens born in Ireland. 

You are also entitled to Irish citizenship (and can gain the status by registering with the Foreign Births Register) if you fit one of the following situations:

• You were born outside of Ireland to Irish citizens also born outside of Ireland, and your grandparents were Irish citizens born in Ireland.
• You were born outside of Ireland, your parents were born outside of Ireland but were registered on the Foreign Births Register before you were born, and your grandparents were born outside of Ireland to your great-grandparents who were born in Ireland.

In simpler terms, if each generation has Irish citizenship, it doesn’t matter that no one has lived in Ireland since their great-grandparents. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

It’s important to note that if your parent obtained Irish citizenship through marriage, adoption or naturalisation but was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, you still qualify for Irish citizenship.

The beauty of this system is that it does not prioritise your parents being married, nor does it matter whether the ancestor linking you to Ireland was alive at the time you were born. However, it’s worth noting you can’t claim Irish citizenship based on ancestors other than your parents or grandparents, such as cousins, aunts or uncles.

Finally, if you were born in Northern Ireland before January 1, 2005, you are an Irish citizen by birth. That means you are entitled to claim Irish citizenship and apply for an Irish passport. If you were born in Northern Ireland to either an Irish or British parent on or after January 1, 2005, you are entitled to Irish citizenship.

How to Claim Irish Citizenship by Descent

If you believe you can claim Irish citizenship by descent, here’s your guide to start the process. Keep in mind that we’ve tried to simplify it for you. 

Step 1: Foreign Births Register

Most importantly, you must register your birth in the Foreign Births Register before claiming Irish citizenship. To do so, follow the ‘How to Register a Foreign Birth’ guide found in the Foreign Births Register here.

The guide will walk you through the different birth and marriage certificates you will need, as well as other relevant records that confirm your citizenship.

Step 2: Fill Out the Application for Irish Citizenship by Descent

When that is done, fill out the application form online, print it out, and mail it in with your documents, photos, and fee. You can find a list of Irish embassies abroad where you can mail your application here.

Step 3: Receive Your Certificate

Once your citizenship is granted, you will receive a certificate confirming your foreign birth registration in the Irish Register of Foreign Births. Your citizenship will be effective from the date of the foreign birth registration, and you can then pass down Irish citizenship to the next generation.

How to Get Your Irish Passport

Your citizenship does not automatically come with an Irish passport, although it does qualify you to apply for one. You have to go the extra mile to obtain your passport, but the good news is that you’re about to cross the finish line.

Sending in Documents

If you are in Ireland, you can apply through Passport Express or go to a Passport Office in person. Now, if you reside in any one of the following countries, you can apply via Passport Online:

• Ireland, Northern Ireland & Great Britain Passport Online | Department Of Foreign Affairs | Ireland.ie
• The European Union
• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• The USA.

If you don’t see your country of residence on the above list, locate the Irish embassy or consulate closest to you and send them all your documents via post. If you were born abroad to an Irish-born parent, include these documents: 

• Birth certificate
• Civil marriage or partnership certificate
• Irish-born parent’s birth certificate
• Parents’ civil marriage certificate.

If you obtained citizenship through foreign birth registration, include these documents: 

• The previously-mentioned birth registration certificate
• Your birth certificate
• Your civil marriage or partnership certificate and your passport.

A standard 10-year, 32-page passport will cost €75 plus postal fees. Check out the Irish government passport application and renewal page for full instructions. If you qualify, obtaining Irish citizenship by descent is an amazing opportunity. Anyone with the required capital can go and purchase economic citizenship.

Irish Citizenship by Marriage

If you can’t claim Irish citizenship by descent, several options remain available to acquire Irish citizenship. Another fast route is Irish Citizenship by marriage: If your spouse is from Ireland and you’re willing to live there for a couple of years, you can apply for an Irish passport after three years of marriage or civil relationship.

Unlike some other countries, Ireland does recognise gay marriage, so your sexual orientation won’t hold you back from the Irish passport.

Reclaim Your Heritage

As more European countries close their Golden Visa programs and immigration policies generally become tighter, the value of claiming citizenship by descent has never been more precise – and the costs are significantly lower.

Ireland’s program is one of the most open, though not everyone will qualify. So, if you’re not of Irish descent, don’t fret. Many other countries offer citizenship by descent, and you never know where you might qualify. 

You may even discover a whole new side to your family tree and a heritage you never knew existed, allowing you to enjoy a new dream life overseas. Contact us today to discover how.

Irish Citizenship by Descent – FAQs