Naturalisation by residence in Ireland (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: Naturalisation in Ireland needs 5 years of reckonable residence in the last 9, including one continuous year before applying. Good character and an intention to keep living in Ireland are also required, and another nationality does not have to be given up. The Government has approved drafting of a bill that would raise the period to 8 years and add language and civics tests.

RuleWhat applies
Years of residence requiredOrdinary naturalisation by residence5 years [1]
Shortened residence periodsOrdinary naturalisation by residenceSpouses and civil partners of Irish citizens: 3 years of marriage or civil partnership and 3 years of reckonable residence on the island of Ireland. Refugees and stateless persons: 5 years of reckonable residence for applications received from 8 December 2025 (3 years before that). [1]
Language level requiredOrdinary naturalisation by residence⚠ Not yet verified
Integration or civic knowledge testOrdinary naturalisation by residenceNo [1]
Giving up previous nationalityOrdinary naturalisation by residenceNot required [2]

Notes

  • Five years of reckonable residence out of the last nine: one continuous year immediately before the application plus four years in the eight years before that; up to 70 days outside Ireland in the year before applying. Pending change: on 9 September 2026 the Government approved priority drafting of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026, which would raise the period from 5 to 8 years for most applicants. It is a proposal and has not been enacted.
  • The Minister has absolute discretion to grant naturalisation and can waive some conditions. For spouses and civil partners, residence on the island of Ireland counts, including Northern Ireland.
  • The Citizens Information page lists no language test among the conditions, but the field has no value for 'no language requirement', so none is shown. The 9 September 2026 proposal would introduce language tests in English, Irish or Irish Sign Language.
  • The conditions listed by Citizens Information are age, character, residence and future intentions. The Government's 9 September 2026 proposal would introduce a civics, society and politics test; it has not been enacted.

Sources

  1. Citizens Information Board: Becoming an Irish citizen through naturalisation (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Immigration Service Delivery (Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration): Dual Citizenship (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

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