If you’re a citizen of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you have specific residency rights in Ireland. The EEA includes EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Your right to stay in Ireland depends on your activities while living there. These rights also extend to certain family members, even if they are not from the EEA or Switzerland.
Your Initial Stay in Ireland
As an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you can stay in Ireland for up to 3 months (or up to 6 months if job-seeking) without restrictions. If you plan to stay longer, you must meet one of these conditions:
- Be employed or self-employed.
- Have enough financial resources and health insurance to support yourself and your family.
- Be enrolled as a student or vocational trainee.
- Be a family member of someone in one of the above categories.
You don’t need to register with Irish immigration authorities or apply for a residence card if you’re staying temporarily. However, if your family members are from outside the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, they must:
- Apply for residence.
- Register and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
- Apply for a visa if required before traveling to Ireland.
Right to Enter Ireland
As an EEA or Swiss citizen, you don’t need a visa or preclearance to enter Ireland. However, Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, so different rules apply.
You can only be refused entry under strict circumstances, such as:
- Having a serious contagious disease that poses a public health risk.
- Posing a significant threat to public safety due to criminal convictions or other behaviors.
Family Rights
Your family can join you in Ireland. For non-EEA family members:
- They may not need a visa to enter Ireland if they hold a residence card from another EEA country or Switzerland.
- If unsure, check with local immigration authorities in your country of residence.
Worker Status in Ireland
If you’re an EEA or Swiss citizen, you can stay in Ireland for up to 6 months while looking for work. During this time, you can transfer unemployment benefits from your home country for up to 3 months (or longer in some cases).
You have the right to stay in Ireland if you:
- Are doing genuine, paid work (as an employee or self-employed individual).
- Maintain worker status even if you stop working due to:
- Illness or accidents.
- Voluntary unemployment while pursuing related vocational training.
- Involuntary unemployment, as long as you actively seek new work.
After 5 years of legal residence as a worker, you gain permanent residency in Ireland.
Rights for Students
You can live in Ireland as a student if you:
- Are enrolled in an approved course.
- Have enough money to support yourself without relying on Irish social welfare.
- Hold comprehensive health insurance.
When your studies end, your residency rights also end unless you gain legal residence through another route, such as employment.
Residency Based on Financial Means
You can reside in Ireland if you:
- Have enough financial resources to support yourself and your family.
- Hold comprehensive health insurance.
This option is popular among retirees who live in Ireland on a pension from another country.
Derivative Residency Rights
In some cases, parents of EEA or Swiss children have derivative residency rights, even if the parent does not qualify on their own. Examples include:
- Zambrano Case: A non-EEA parent of an Irish citizen child living in Ireland.
- Ibrahim/Teixeira Cases: A child of an EEA worker attending school.
- Chen Case: A parent of an EEA child with sufficient resources and health insurance.
Derivative rights often don’t lead to permanent residency.
Family Members’ Residency Rights
If your family qualifies under EU law, they can stay with you in Ireland. There are two categories:
- Qualifying Family Members: Spouses, children under 21, dependent parents, and grandparents.
- Permitted Family Members: Partners, household relatives, or those needing personal care due to illness or disability.
Non-EEA family members must apply for a residence card (Form EUTR-1 for qualifying families and Form EUTR-1A for permitted families).
Applying for a Residence Card
- Complete the Application Form
- Fill out the appropriate form for each family member.
- Gather Required Documents
- Provide all necessary documents listed on the application.
- Register with Immigration
- If eligible, Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) may issue a temporary IRP while processing the application.
What Happens After Approval?
Approved non-EEA family members receive up to 5 years of residence (depending on their passport validity or your planned stay). They must register for an IRP, which will display a Stamp 4EUFAM.
If their relationship status changes (e.g., divorce or the EEA citizen dies), they may apply to retain their residence using Form EUTR-5.
Permanent Residency
You can apply for permanent residency after legally living in Ireland for 5 continuous years. Temporary absences (e.g., under 6 months per year or one 12-month for specific reasons) don’t break continuous residence.
Non-EEA family members can also apply for permanent residency after 5 years.
Can You Be Deported?
EEA and Swiss citizens are rarely removed from Ireland unless they pose a serious risk to public health, security, or policy. Any removal order must be proportional and comply with EU law.
This guide simplifies Irish residency rules for EEA, EU, and Swiss citizens and their families, ensuring you understand your rights and how to secure your stay in Ireland. For further details, consult the Immigration Service Delivery website.
Residency Rights in Ireland for EU, EEA, and Swiss Citizens
If you’re a citizen of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you have specific residency rights in Ireland. The EEA includes EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Your right to stay in Ireland depends on your activities while living there. These rights also extend to certain family members, even if they are not from the EEA or Switzerland.
Your Initial Stay in Ireland
As an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you can stay in Ireland for up to 3 months (or up to 6 months if job-seeking) without restrictions. If you plan to stay longer, you must meet one of these conditions:
- Be employed or self-employed.
- Have enough financial resources and health insurance to support yourself and your family.
- Be enrolled as a student or vocational trainee.
- Be a family member of someone in one of the above categories.
You don’t need to register with Irish immigration authorities or apply for a residence card if you’re staying temporarily. However, if your family members are from outside the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, they must:
- Apply for residence.
- Register and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
- Apply for a visa if required before traveling to Ireland.
Right to Enter Ireland
As an EEA or Swiss citizen, you don’t need a visa or preclearance to enter Ireland. However, Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, so different rules apply.
You can only be refused entry under strict circumstances, such as:
- Having a serious contagious disease that poses a public health risk.
- Posing a significant threat to public safety due to criminal convictions or other behaviors.
Family Rights
Your family can join you in Ireland. For non-EEA family members:
- They may not need a visa to enter Ireland if they hold a residence card from another EEA country or Switzerland.
- If unsure, check with local immigration authorities in your country of residence.
Derivative Residency Rights
In certain cases, parents of EEA or Swiss children have derivative residency rights, even if the parent does not qualify on their own. These rights stem from key decisions made by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Below is a table summarizing these cases and the eligibility criteria.
| CJEU Case | Child’s Status | Who Can Claim Derivative Rights? |
| Zambrano | An Irish citizen child living in Ireland (under 18) | A non-EEA parent actively involved in raising the child. |
| Ibrahim / Teixeira | An EEA citizen child of a current or former worker. The child must be in full-time education (can be over 18). | Former EEA worker or their non-EEA spouse/partner who previously held worker status. |
| Chen | An EEA child under 18 with sufficient resources and health insurance. | A parent who cannot claim residence through their own activities or other EEA family members. |
Residency for Workers
If you’re an EEA or Swiss citizen, you can stay in Ireland for up to 6 months while looking for work. During this time, you can transfer unemployment benefits from your home country for up to 3 months (or longer in some cases).
| Worker Status | Condition | Retention of Status |
| Current Worker | Engaged in genuine, paid work (employed or self-employed). | Retains legal residency. |
| Former Worker | Stopped working due to illness, accident, vocational training, or involuntary unemployment. | Can keep worker status for 6 months if employed in Ireland for under 1 year or indefinitely while job-seeking after working for 1 year or more. |
| On Leave | Maternity or paternity leave. | Considered as still working. |
After 5 years as a worker or self-employed person, you gain permanent residency in Ireland.
Residency for Students
You have the right to live in Ireland if you:
- Are enrolled in an approved course.
- Have enough income to support yourself without relying on Irish social welfare.
- Hold comprehensive health insurance.
However, your residency rights end when your studies are over unless you transition to another legal residence status (e.g., by finding a job).
Residency for Family Members
| Family Type | Conditions for Residence |
| Qualifying Family | Includes spouses, civil partners, children under 21, dependent parents, grandparents, and direct descendants or ascendants. |
| Permitted Family | Includes partners, relatives in the household, or those needing personal care due to illness or disability. |
Applying for a Residence Card
To apply for residency as a non-EEA family member:
| Steps | Description |
| Step 1: Complete Form | Submit Form EUTR-1 (for qualifying family) or EUTR-1A (for permitted family). |
| Step 2: Gather Documents | Provide all required documents listed in the form. Missing documents can be explained with a note. |
| Step 3: Register | ISD may issue a temporary Irish Residence Permit (IRP) if enough documentation is provided. |
Permanent Residency
| Criteria for Permanent Residency | Details |
| Continuous Residence | Must live in Ireland legally for 5 years. Short absences (less than 6 months per year or one 12-month absence for specific reasons) are allowed. |
| Non-EEA Family Members | Can apply for permanent residency after 5 years of residence. |
What are the steps to obtain an Irish residence permit for EU citizens
EU citizens wishing to reside in Ireland for more than 90 days must follow specific steps to obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP). Here’s a structured guide to the process:
1. Determine Eligibility
- EU citizens do not need an IRP if they are staying for less than 90 days.
- If planning to stay longer, they should ensure they meet the criteria for residency, such as being employed, self-employed, studying, or being a family member of an EU citizen.
2. Prepare Required Documents
Gather the following documents before applying:
- Passport: A valid passport is necessary.
- Proof of Employment or Study: This can include an employment contract or a letter of acceptance from a school.
- Proof of Sufficient Funds: Evidence that you can support yourself financially during your stay.
- Medical Insurance: Proof of health insurance coverage.
- Additional Documents: Depending on the purpose of your stay (e.g., family reunification), additional specific documents may be required.
3. Book an Appointment
- If residing in Ireland, schedule an appointment at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin or the relevant registration office in your area.
- If you are outside Ireland, contact the nearest Garda station for guidance.
4. Attend the Registration Appointment
- Bring all required documents to your appointment.
- An immigration officer will review your documents and immigration permission.
- You will receive a stamp in your passport indicating what activities you are allowed to undertake (work, study, etc.).
5. Pay the Registration Fee
- A fee of €300 must be paid at the time of registration. This fee is waived for certain categories, such as refugees or family members of Irish citizens.
6. Receive Your Irish Residence Permit
- After processing your application and payment, you will receive your IRP by post. It is essential to carry this permit at all times and present it when requested by immigration authorities.
7. Maintain Compliance
- Ensure that you comply with any conditions attached to your residence permit, such as maintaining employment or educational status.
- If you change your address or personal details, notify the immigration office promptly.
Additional Considerations
- Family members from outside the EEA may need to apply for a residence card based on their relationship with the EU citizen. They must follow a similar process but use specific forms (EUTR-1 for qualifying family members and EUTR-1A for permitted family members).
By following these steps diligently, EU citizens can successfully obtain an Irish Residence Permit and enjoy their stay in Ireland legally and comfortably.
