Get Your Irish Citizenship by Descent
If you have Irish ancestry, you may be eligible to obtain Irish citizenship by descent. Claim your right to citizenship and unlock the benefits of being an Irish and EU citizen.
Why Consider Irish Citizenship?
Irish citizenship connects you to a rich cultural legacy and opens doors to life in the European Union. As an Irish citizen, you can live, work, and study in any EU country, pass on citizenship to your children, and enjoy the benefits of dual nationality.
Whether you’re seeking to reconnect with your heritage, expand career opportunities, or simply travel more freely, Irish citizenship offers life-changing advantages.
Am I Eligible for Irish Citizenship by Descent?
Irish citizenship laws make it possible to obtain citizenship even if you were born outside of Ireland, as long as you have qualifying Irish lineage. Ireland offers a clear and structured path to citizenship through ancestry—giving you the opportunity to reclaim your family legacy and enjoy the benefits of being an Irish and EU citizen.
Common Eligibility Scenarios:
You may qualify if:
You were born on the island of Ireland and at least one parent was an Irish citizen at your birth.
You were born abroad to an Irish-born parent.
You were born outside Ireland, but your parent was an Irish citizen through their own parent (your grandparent) who was born in Ireland.
Your parent registered on the Foreign Births Register before you were born, and your grandparent or great-grandparent was born in Ireland.
If each generation has maintained citizenship, you may be eligible—even if no one has lived in Ireland for generations.
Note: Citizenship cannot be passed through cousins, aunts/uncles, or relatives beyond the great-grandparent level (with some exceptions). Marital status of parents does not affect eligibility.
What Do I Need to Apply for Irish Citizenship?
If you fall into one of the Common Eligibility Scenarios above, you may qualify for Irish Citizenship through the Foreign Births Register.
In simple terms, if each generation has held Irish citizenship, you may claim yours—even if your family hasn’t lived in Ireland since your great-grandparents’ time.
It’s also important to note:
If your parents obtained Irish citizenship through marriage, adoption, or naturalisation and were already citizens when you were born, you may qualify.
Your parents’ marital status does not affect your eligibility.
You cannot claim Irish citizenship based on cousins, uncles, or aunts; eligibility is limited to the level of great-grandparents in specific circumstances.
What is the Foreign Births Register?
The Foreign Births Register is a process managed by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that allows individuals born outside Ireland to register as Irish citizens based on descent. It requires documentation from multiple generations, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other official records from various jurisdictions.
Why Become a Citizen of Ireland?
Becoming an Irish citizen may be one of the most meaningful decisions you ever make. It not only connects you with your family’s heritage, but also opens the door to the many benefits of European Union citizenship—greater mobility, expanded career opportunities, and the ability to pass on citizenship to future generations.
Ireland, often called the “Emerald Isle,” is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, deep-rooted history, and modern innovation. From the rugged cliffs of Moher to lively cities like Dublin and Cork, it offers a unique blend of tradition and progress. With world-class healthcare, top-tier education, and a thriving tech and business sector, Ireland is more than a travel destination—it’s a place many are proud to call home. Ready to explore your eligibility? Our pre-assessment only takes a few minutes.
Learn more about the benefits of holding citizenship with an EU Member State here.
Why EuroPassport?
EuroPassport is the first Canadian company to offer people an easy and affordable way to obtain legal European citizenship. Based in Toronto, Canada, we are a team of trusted immigration lawyers, genealogists and documentation specialists who have pioneered an efficient process for our clients to obtain the Irish Citizenship they seek. Our experts take care of all the paperwork, in optimal deadlines.
- We take away the paperwork hassle, bureaucracy, legal complexity – and work on your behalf, using the most efficient route to obtain the citizenship you seek.
- Our streamlined process cuts out lengthy waits and confusing roadblocks to citizenship. Look to us to expedite your Irish citizenship and deliver in optimal timelines.
- Skip the exorbitantly high legal fees. Our migration experts and a team of Canadian and European legal advisors have refined a process that is considerably more cost-efficient, especially for those with family roots in Europe.
- We are a respected Canadian company based in Toronto – so you won’t have to deal with distant overseas law firms. Our track record is remarkable, as the first and only fully registered European Immigration services business in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Processing time can vary, but on average it can take between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the documentation and the demand for applications.
When you apply for citizenship, any previous denial may hamper your chances on subsequent applications. An example of this would be declaring a date that is incorrect according to laws and legislations.
Immigration laws are constantly changing, and we are keeping up with every change, which may affect the required documents.
We also have a network of lawyers and genealogists in Europe who will prepare and supervise your application. We have the potential to prepare the most formidable citizenship application you can have.
Don’t risk submitting an unsuccessful application. EuroPassport does everything for you! Our team cooperates with top-tier lawyers in Ireland; we first put together your application locally, and then your documents are sent to Ireland to continue the rest of the citizenship process. You won’t even have to visit your local embassy or consulate for the process of getting your citizenship certificate as this will be completed in Ireland.
However, once your citizenship process is completed, you will have to visit the nearest Irish consulate to apply for the passport.
Anyone with at least one Irish parent or grandparent may be eligible to apply for citizenship by descent, provided they meet the requirements set out by the Irish government. Being Irish automatically qualifies you as being a European citizen with access to the many benefits/freedoms guaranteed in all EU countries.
Learn more about the benefits of holding citizenship with an EU Member State here.
This will depend on the complexity of your specific case and how many documents you require to prove your Irish ancestry. Learn more about the process and costs associated on our Fees page.
We do offer a 4-payment schedule for individuals and 6-payment schedule for families, and a discount of 5% for families of 2-4 people and 10% for families of 5 or more people.
Contact us to learn more about the pricing structure and payment options.
Yes, Ireland allows dual citizenship!
No, citizenship by descent does not require residence in Ireland. However, for other types of naturalization, it may be necessary to live in the country for a certain period.
You do not need to speak the language to reclaim citizenship.
Yes, we also conduct genealogy research in Ireland. If you are interested in finding out more about your Irish ancestors, contact us for details.
You will only need to pay taxes in Ireland if you move to Ireland and live there at least 6 months of the year. If you move to another EU member country, you may not have to pay taxes in Ireland, but you may still have to pay taxes in the European country in which you decide to live, so you would need to consult with the local tax authorities in that country.
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Use this form and one of our team members will reach out to you to book a free consultation to answer any questions you may have and to assess your eligibility!