Ireland – Changes to Naturalisation Rules

14 August 2023

Ireland’s Department of Justice has implemented a number of key changes to immigration processes in Ireland.¹ Among the changes are residency rules for citizenship applications and clarity on periods spent outside of Ireland in the lead up to a citizenship application. The changes took effect 31 July 2023.

Details

Effective 31 July 2023 the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 implements a wide range of legislative amendments to include:

• A possible total 100 days of absence in the year preceding a citizenship application may be permitted, replacing the controversial “six-week rule.” Now up to 70 days of absence from Ireland may be permitted, with an additional 30 days when necessary, under exceptional circumstances (a detailed list of exceptions includes for health, employment, family, humanitarian and study purposes).
• The immigration authorities can serve documents electronically, allowing for immigration decisions to be issued by email or through a customer portal. This will not replace current services but introduces more flexibility and modernisation.
• A reduction in residency requirements for citizenship applications for children born in Ireland, without an automatic entitlement to Irish citizenship, from 5 years to 3 years.

Footnote

1 Department of Justice press release, Minister McEntee commences majority of wide-ranging Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 (1 August 2023).