Ireland · Descent · Citizenship

Ireland Foreign Birth Registration

Eligible people born abroad can become Irish citizens by registering a foreign birth through an Irish-born grandparent or a qualifying Irish parent.

Value scoreCheckingPassport data under review

5-year costCheckingone applicant, not recoverable

Decision12 monthsofficial processing time

Official program page

Value: what the Foreign Birth Registration gives you

Passport reach 25 pts weightChecking

Path to citizenship 25 pts weight100

Work, family, healthcare 20 pts weightChecking

Stay rule 15 pts weightChecking

Tax on foreign income 10 pts weightChecking

Policy stability 5 pts weightChecking

Passport: visa-free destinations: Checking
Years to permanent residence: Checking
Years to citizenship: ImmediatelyOfficialIrish Statute Book, checked 2026-11-15Citizenship takes effect on registration. Processing time is shown separately.
Leads to citizenship: Checking
Can work for a local employer: Checking
Spouse and children included: Checking
Public healthcare: Checking
Minimum stay per year: Checking
Tax on foreign income: Checking
Dual citizenship allowed: Checking
Rule changes, last 24 months: Checking

Cost: what the Foreign Birth Registration costs over five years

Government fees: $307.25OfficialIreland Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, checked 2026-11-15Adult registration and required return handling: EUR 278. Conversion: EUR 278 to USD at 2026-11-13 reference rates.
Non-refundable contribution: $0OfficialIreland Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, checked 2026-11-15The published registration fee schedule imposes no investment contribution.
Due diligence: Checking
Compulsory extras, first year: Checking
Renewal fees, first 5 years: $0OfficialIrish Statute Book, checked 2026-11-15Registration confers citizenship. Optional passport fees are separate.
Investment you may get back: Checking
Minimum income per month: Checking
Extra for a spouse and two children: Checking
Typical adviser fees (not in the total): Checking

USD estimates use the European Central Bank reference rates of 13 November 2026, the Central Bank of Armenia and the Central Bank of the UAE for AMD and AED, and the Panamanian balboa’s official one-to-one parity with the US dollar.

Speed: how long the Foreign Birth Registration takes

Official processing time: 360 daysOfficialIreland Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, checked 2026-11-15Approx. 12 months after physical documents arrive, expressed as 12 × 30 calendar days.
Reported processing time (median): Checking
Approval to card or passport: Checking

Sources

Registering a Foreign Birth, Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Checked 2026-11-15.
Citizenship and Foreign Birth Registration FAQs, Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Checked 2026-11-15.
Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2001, section 3, Irish Statute Book. Checked 2026-11-15.

Every figure on this page last reviewed 2026-11-15. General information, not legal advice. Spotted an error? Email us from the contact page.

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