Citizenship.EU Platform Update – Free Eligibility Calculator Now Available

Ireland

Irish Citizenship Through Ancestry

Irish heritage is carried by over 70 million people worldwide. Known for its lush landscapes, storied past, and enduring sense of identity, Ireland has shaped the lives of generations through both presence and absence. For many, the journey began with a departure, whether fleeing hardship or seeking opportunity. But the connection to Ireland’s unique identity never faded.

Today, that connection can be made official. If your parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent was born in Ireland, you may be eligible to reclaim Irish citizenship and reconnect with your past.

See If You Are Eligible
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Eligible Generations

Up to your great-grandparents

Travel Required?

No (apply via consulate)

Ways to Apply

1 way

Language requirement?

No

Irish citizenship connects your future to your family’s past.

Irish citizenship by descent gives you the legal right to to live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU countries, and lets you build a renewed link to your family’s origin story.

Why Does Ireland Offer Citizenship by Descent?

Family in Ireland dual citizenship.

Ireland is home to one of the world’s largest and most enduring diasporas. Over the centuries, economic hardship, political unrest, and global opportunity have led millions of Irish citizens to settle abroad.

To honor those who left, as well as their descendants, the Irish government offers a clear and longstanding path to citizenship through ancestry. It’s a reflection of the nation’s commitment to its people, no matter how far they’ve traveled.

Live, work, and study in any of the 27 countries throughout the European Union with no restrictions.

Who Can Apply?

You may be eligible for Irish citizenship if you can answer yes to one of the following:

  • Was your parent or grandparent born in Ireland?
  • Was a parent an Irish citizen at the time of your birth?
  • Was your great-grandparent born in Ireland, and did your parent register your foreign birth with the Irish government?

If you’re unsure, we can help you determine the correct pathway. Start by seeing if you’re eligible:

Take the Eligibility Assessment
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Want to find if you are eligible for Irish Citizenship?

Simple 3-step process to discover your eligibility

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1. Tell us (or your genealogist) about your family

Share your family details. Enter them yourself or connect with a genealogist for help.

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2. We analyze with AI + experts

AI processes fast. Experts ensure your case is as accurate as possible.

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3. Receive your report

Get your eligibility analysis. Follow the steps. Start your path to citizenship.

Learn More About How It Works

What You'll ​ Receive

A comprehensive eligibility report tailored to your family history

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Your Eligibility Report ​ Includes:​

  • Assessment of all EU countries based on your lineage​
  • Clear eligibility decision for each country​
  • Detailed reasoning and relevant laws explained​
  • Specific next steps and requirements​
Learn More

Eligible for ​dual citizenship? We can help you achieve it​

If you find out you are eligible for dual citizenship with our report, we offer additional services to assist with document collection and application processing

Learn More
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Your guide to Irish Citizenship

We cover essential information regarding applying for and achieving EU nationality through ancestry. This blog also explores relocation resources, citizenship programs outside of the EU, and more.

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James Nagy
Chicago, USA

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"My grandfather was born in Sicily, and I always dreamed of reclaiming that part of my identity. I had no idea where to start or whether I even qualified. Citizenship.EU made the process so much less intimidating".

Elena G
New York, USA

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“I knew my grandmother was born in County Mayo, but I wasn’t sure if I could actually get Irish citizenship. Citizenship.EU walked me through the whole eligibility check. I received my Irish citizenship certificate last month and my passport is on the way”!

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New Hampshire, USA

Get the Irish citizenship guide

Unlock detailed information on timelines, required documents, and legal pathways all in one place.

Frequently asked questions​

Yes, but only if your parent registered as an Irish citizen before your birth. Ireland allows citizenship to pass from a great-grandparent only when the intermediate generations—your grandparent and parent—either held Irish citizenship or registered in the Foreign Births Register before you were born. If that didn’t happen, you are not eligible based solely on a great-grandparent connection.
You can typically claim Irish citizenship through a parent or grandparent. If your parent was born in Ireland, you are automatically entitled to citizenship. If your grandparent was born in Ireland, you can become a citizen by registering your birth in the Foreign Births Register. You may also qualify through a great-grandparent, but only if your parent had already claimed and registered their Irish citizenship before you were born, ensuring an unbroken chain.
To claim Irish citizenship by descent, you must apply to be included in the Foreign Births Register, a formal registry maintained by the Irish government. You begin by completing an online application with the Department of Foreign Affairs, then gather documents such as your own birth certificate, your parent’s and grandparent’s birth and marriage certificates, and documentation proving your Irish ancestor’s birth in Ireland. After submitting your paperwork and paying the processing fee, your citizenship will be confirmed once the application is approved. You’ll then receive a certificate that serves as proof of your Irish nationality.
Irish law does not base citizenship on percentages of ancestry. What matters is direct descent. If you have a parent or grandparent born in Ireland, or a great-grandparent under very specific conditions, you may be eligible. Citizenship is determined by legal lineage and registration status, not ethnic background or DNA.
Yes. If one of your grandparents was born in Ireland, you are entitled to Irish citizenship by descent. You must register your birth in the Foreign Births Register and prove the chain of lineage with official documentation. Once registered, you are legally recognized as an Irish citizen and can apply for an Irish passport.
Once you have been registered in the Foreign Births Register and officially recognized as an Irish citizen, you can apply for an Irish passport. You’ll need your citizenship certificate, a valid photo ID, proof of address, passport photos, and your completed passport application. Applications can be submitted online or through your local Irish consulate or embassy, depending on your location.​
Citizenship.EU provides expert support at every stage of the process. They assess your eligibility based on your ancestry, identify the necessary documents for your application, and guide you through the Foreign Births Register process. Their services include verifying your family lineage, helping secure translated or legalized documents, and managing the application submission. With their help, you can avoid delays and increase the likelihood of success—especially in more complex cases involving great-grandparent claims or missing documents.
Yes. If you are a U.S. citizen and have at least one parent or grandparent who was born in Ireland, you are eligible to claim Irish citizenship by descent. The process requires proving your familial connection to the Irish-born ancestor through birth and marriage records, and registering in Ireland’s Foreign Births Register. Once approved, you become an Irish citizen and are entitled to an Irish passport—without giving up your U.S. citizenship, as both Ireland and the United States allow dual nationality.

Start with your past.
Start building your future.

Your family immigrated from Europe for more opportunities. Now, their story might help you do exactly the same thing. Browse by country to learn whether your family history might qualify you for dual citizenship.

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Still have questions? Let’s talk​

Have a specific question about your case, documents, or eligibility? We’d love to hear it and it might even help us shape new resources.

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