Many British citizens are looking at the option of applying for an Irish passport after Brexit. An Irish passport presents a right to European Union (EU) citizens’ freedom of movement. A common question is, can a British citizen apply for an Irish passport through marriage? The answer is not a simple one. There are doors opened when marrying an Irish citizen, but it does not mean automatic Irish citizenship or a passport. Instead, a person needs to follow a process that requires residency, applications, and conditions.
Irish Passport and Why It Is Important
The Irish passport is highly valuable. It provides visa-free access to more than 180 countries. It also provides full citizenship benefits to an EU citizen, such as the right to live, work, or study anywhere. For British citizens, this is attractive when they have lost free movement to the EU after Brexit. If you have Irish citizenship, it essentially means you are retaining many of the influential aspects of ties with Europe.
Can Marriage Alone Get You an Irish Passport?
The first misconception is that marriage alone means you have an Irish passport right away. This is untrue. Marriage to an Irish citizen does not automatically confer citizenship or an Irish passport. Marriage gives a British citizen the right to apply for residency in Ireland and eventually for naturalization. This means you need to reside in Ireland for a while before applying for citizenship.
What is Marriage to an Irish Citizen?
Marriage to an Irish citizen is properly called naturalization as a spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen. The non-Irish spouse must meet certain rules and requirements. A British citizen can only apply for an Irish passport once they receive citizenship. This is the legal process outlined by the Irish authorities.
Requirements for British Citizens
British citizens must satisfy the following criteria to apply for Irish citizenship through marriage:
- Residency requirements: You must have lived in Ireland for 3 years out of the last 5 years, which includes one year of continuous residence before applying.
- Legally Recognized Marriage or Civil Partnership: The marriage must be legally recognized in Ireland. Civil partnerships are also acceptable if registered in accordance with Irish law.
- Good Character: Applicants must demonstrate good character and no major criminal record with pre-employment screening or background checks.
- Living Together: The couple must have lived together in Ireland as husband and wife, or as civil partners, and there must be evidence of a shared life. Evidence of a shared life may include a joint address, joint bills, or a requirement for a joint bank account.
Step-by-Step Process
- Establish Residency: You move to Ireland to live as husband and wife. Document your residency and keep it legal.
- Gather Documents: Collect your marriage certificate, proof of residency, copies of passports, and proof of living together.
- Make Application for Citizenship: To apply for citizenship, complete the naturalization application using the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS), fill out the correctly completed forms, and pay the fees.
- Wait for a Decision: Depending on the number of applications received, it could take up to 18 months or more. Authorities check the details carefully.
- Citizenship Ceremony: Upon approval, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony, after which you will take the oath of fidelity, and after the long wait, you are finally an Irish citizen.
- Apply for an Irish Passport: After you have received citizenship, apply for an Irish Passport online or from the Passport Office.
Documents Needed
You will normally need something like this:
- Marriage certificate
- Proof of your Irish spouse’s citizenship
- Proof of your address in Ireland
- Bank statements and utility bills.
These help demonstrate authentic marriage, residency, and good character.
Time Frame of Citizenship through Marriage
It takes time. First, you need to have three years of residency in Ireland. Then, it takes an application time of over a year to process the application. From start to finish, a UK citizen may not get their Irish passport through marriage for four to five years.
Costs of Application
There are fees for applying for citizenship. There is an application fee, which is non-refundable, usually around EUR 175. If your application is approved with good character, then you will have a certificate fee that differs for asylum seekers and refugees. The cost for applying for a passport is separate. It takes time and money to go through this journey.
Advantages of an Irish Passport for UK Citizens
Having an Irish passport offers many advantages for you:
- Free Movement within the EU: Irish passport holders have the comprehensive right to live, work, or study anywhere in the European Union.
- Dual Nationality: UK law allows for having dual nationality. You can have a UK passport and an Irish passport.
- Travel Abroad: An Irish passport is consistently rated as among the best in the world, providing you entry to many countries without a visa or visa on arrival.
- Security and Opportunity: Irish citizenship and a passport provide more security for families, more job opportunities throughout Europe, and a better education system, etc.
Alternatives to Marriage Route
Marriage is not the only avenue for British citizens to obtain an Irish passport. Some other options include:
- Citizenship by Descent: British citizens can obtain an Irish passport if they have Irish parents or grandparents.
- Residency/Naturalization: British citizens can also obtain an Irish passport by living in Ireland for five years as a resident.
- Investment routes: In very specific circumstances, a very large investment in Ireland can also allow for a pathway.
How does a British citizen get an Irish passport through marriage? The process you will take is one of citizenship by naturalization as the spouse of an Irish national. Just being married is not enough. You need to live in Ireland, submit an application for naturalization, have a citizenship ceremony, and then submit an application for a passport. This whole process could take years, but the privileges of having an Irish passport are worth it.
