If you have lived in Ireland legally for 5 years, you can apply online to become an Irish citizen. It costs €175 to apply and €950 if you are approved.
You apply online to Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), part of the Department of Justice, through the online form portal. It costs €175 to apply and, for most adults, €950 more if you are approved.
Do you qualify?
Most adults need 5 years of reckonable residence (legal residence that counts) in the last 9 years. One full year must be just before you apply. Use the ISD residency calculator to check your dates.
- Counts: time on an employment permit, Stamp 4, Stamp 5 and certain spouse or dependant permissions.
- Does not count: student time on Stamp 2 or 2A, time without permission, or time waiting for an international protection decision.
- Absences: up to 70 days outside Ireland in the year before you apply. Up to 30 extra days may be allowed for exceptional reasons.
- Spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens: 3 years married, and 3 of the last 5 years living on the island of Ireland.
- Refugees: from 8 December 2025, 5 years of reckonable residence (it was 3).
- You must be of good character. Gardaí carry out vetting before a decision.
What you need
- A certified colour copy of your passport's photo page (150 identity points)
- A certified copy of your birth certificate
- Proofs of residence for each year you claim, scoring 150 points a year
- At least one strong document per year (100 points): bank statements, Revenue or P60 records, social welfare contribution statements, or an employer letter
- Supporting documents (50 points): utility or phone bills, rental agreements, medical letters
- Professional translations of any documents not in English or Irish
- A payment card for the €175 fee
A solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths, Peace Commissioner or Notary Public must certify copies in person. Gardaí cannot certify them.
Step by step
- Check your dates with the residency calculator.
- Gather and certify your documents using the identity and residence scorecard.
- Create an account on the online form portal.
- Choose your application type, such as adult, minor or marriage and civil partnership.
- Fill in the form section by section. Upload one PDF or JPG per document, each under 5MB.
- Pay the €175 application fee, save a copy, then submit. You cannot edit it afterwards.
- Answer any request for more documents within 28 days.
- If approved, pay the certification fee and send your IRP card if ISD asks.
- Attend the citizenship ceremony when invited by email.
How much it costs and how long it takes
| Who | Application fee | Certification fee |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (standard) | €175 | €950 |
| Minor (under 18) | €175 | €200 |
| Widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen | €175 | €200 |
| Refugee or stateless person | €175 | €0 |
The €175 is not refunded if you are refused. You do not need a solicitor. After the ceremony, your certificate arrives by registered post, usually within 4 to 6 weeks.
Applying for a child
A parent or guardian applies for a child under 18. Routes include a parent who is a naturalised citizen, Irish descent or associations, and children born in Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 who were not citizens at birth. Children do not attend the ceremony; their certificate is posted.
Common mistakes
- Counting student years. Time on Stamp 2 or 2A generally does not count.
- Too many days abroad. More than 70 days out in the last year can sink an application; over 100 days makes you ineligible.
- Missing the 28-day deadline for extra documents. You are refused, lose the fee and start again.
- Letting your IRP expire. Non-EEA nationals need an in-date IRP card at the ceremony.
- Applying for a passport too early. You cannot apply until you have your naturalisation certificate.
You become a citizen once your application is approved.
You only become a citizen when you make your declaration of fidelity and loyalty at the ceremony.
If something goes wrong
- Track your application under 'Status' on the Customer Service Portal.
- Tell ISD in writing if you move, using the change of address form.
- Refused: there is no appeal, but you can reapply. You can also seek judicial review in the High Court with legal advice.
- Cannot attend your ceremony for a real reason: say so in the digital invitation.
- Citizens Information Phone Service: 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).
Related guides
- How to renew your IRP
- How to apply for an Irish passport
- How to register to vote
- How to get a PPS number
Refugees applying from 8 December 2025 need 5 years' residence instead of 3.
Ceremony dates are announced on irishimmigration.ie; the April 2026 Killarney ceremonies were cancelled.
