Irish Citizenship by Descent: Requirements and How to Apply

Irish citizenship by descent lets you become an Irish (and EU) citizen if one of your grandparents was born in Ireland, or if your parent was an Irish citizen when you were born. You do it by registering on the Foreign Births Register, and you do not need to live in Ireland first. The adult fee is €278, and the Department of Foreign Affairs says processing takes about 12 months. This is a citizenship route, not a residence visa. Check the official Department of Foreign Affairs page before you apply: Registering a foreign birth. We are researchers, not lawyers, so confirm your eligibility with the Department.

Who qualifies

According to the Department, you can register if:

• Grandparent route: you were born outside Ireland, your parent was also born outside Ireland, and one of your grandparents was born in Ireland.
• Parent route: your parent was not born in Ireland but was an Irish citizen when you were born, for example through naturalisation, Foreign Birth Registration or a post-nuptial declaration.

Timing matters. A child born before the parent was registered is not eligible through that parent, so a parent who is using the grandparent route should be on the register before any child is born. The page lists only the parent and grandparent routes; ask the Department about more distant ancestors.

What it costs and requires

There is no income, investment or residence requirement. The only government fee is paid online: €278 for applicants aged 18 and over (€270 for registration and certificate, plus €8 postage), and €153 for under 18s. Budget extra for certified copies, apostilles, witness costs and postage.

Documents you'll need

Incomplete applications are returned, so gather everything first. For an adult applicant you need original documents, including:

• a completed, signed and witnessed application form;
• your civil birth certificate showing your parents' details;
• a marriage certificate or other name-change document, if applicable;
• a certified photocopy of your state-issued photo ID;
• two separate proofs of address;
• four colour photographs, two of them witnessed.

For your Irish citizen parent you need their civil birth certificate, marriage or name-change documents, a certified ID copy or a death certificate, and proof of how they became a citizen. If you use the grandparent route, you also need the Irish-born grandparent's civil birth certificate and related documents. Minors need extra items such as a school or doctor's letter. The witness must know you personally, must not be a relation and must practise in a listed profession (for example a Garda, doctor, lawyer or teacher).

Step-by-step application

1. Confirm eligibility using the grandparent or parent route above.
2. Collect documents for you, your parent and (if needed) your grandparent. Original civil certificates may take weeks to order.
3. Apply online at fbr.dfa.ie; there is no paper form.
4. Pay the fee online during the application.
5. Post the documents to the address on your printed application form. The Department advises recorded post, since receipt is not acknowledged. Do not include passport applications in the same envelope.
6. Wait. Applications are processed in strict date order, and the Department says to expect roughly 12 months.
7. Receive your certificate by recorded mail; original documents are returned.

Costs and timeline

Fee: €278 (adult) or €153 (under 18). Timeline: about 12 months once your complete application is received. Once registered, you can apply for an Irish passport, which is a separate application with its own fee and processing time.

What it gives you

Registration makes you an Irish citizen. That brings the right to live and work in Ireland, and Irish citizens enjoy EU free movement rights across the EU, though other countries' rules still apply. Ireland allows dual citizenship in our data, but your other country may not, so check that country's rules too.

Family members

Your spouse does not automatically become Irish through your registration and must qualify separately. Children may be able to register if you are on the register before they are born, per the timing rule above. Check with the Department.

Alternatives

• Critical Skills Employment Permit if you have a job offer but no Irish ancestry.
• Other EU routes: Germany's rules differ; see our Germany country guide and Germany EU Blue Card for work routes.
• Life in Ireland: read living in Dublin and living in Cork.