Ireland Approves Priority Drafting of Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill with Stricter Naturalisation Requirements

Current rules

If enacted, the proposed legislation would increase the standard reckonable residence requirement for most applicants from five years to eight years. The proposed structure is two years of continuous residence immediately before applying, together with six years of residence during the preceding ten years. This would replace the current five-year arrangement. The proposal would introduce a language requirement for naturalisation. Applicants would need to demonstrate proficiency in English, Irish or Irish Sign Language. It is therefore not an Irish-language-only requirement. The Government has not yet specified the final proficiency level, test format or examination arrangements, so these details should not be treated as settled. Applicants would also have to demonstrate knowledge of Irish civics, society and politics. The exact content, assessment method and required standard have not yet been established. A new self-sufficiency requirement is also proposed. The Government says applicants for naturalisation would need to demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient. Reporting on the proposal indicates that the requirement may address reliance on specified social-protection payments and housing supports, but the precise income threshold, qualifying period, exemptions and other conditions remain subject to the legislative process. The proposal would also change the naturalisation route for spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens, with the qualifying residence period proposed to increase from three years to five years. The proposed framework would require two years of continuous residence immediately before applying and three years during the preceding five years. Spouses and civil partners would also be subject to the proposed language and civics requirements. The proposed legislation would introduce additional immigration-compliance conditions. An immigration offence committed before or during the naturalisation process is proposed to prevent an applicant from being granted citizenship. The proposal would also affect the treatment of residence under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, with time spent under Temporary Protection proposed not to count towards the reckonable residence period. The reforms would further introduce an additional ground for revocation of naturalised citizenship, concerning circumstances in which revocation is considered necessary in the interests of public policy, public order or national security. This would apply to naturalised citizenship and would operate within the statutory revocation process. These are proposed changes only. Government approval for priority drafting does not itself amend Irish citizenship law. The current five-year residence requirement and absence of a language test remain in force until legislation is enacted and commenced.

Overview

On 9 September 2026, the Irish Government approved the priority drafting of legislation to strengthen naturalisation requirements. This instrument will introduce new conditions for Irish citizenship, including extending the required period of reckonable residence, mandating language proficiency and civics tests, and requiring evidence of self-sufficiency. This update aims to align Ireland's naturalisation process more closely with other European Union Member States.

What changed in the latest version

Citizenship by naturalisation is currently available to people who satisfy statutory conditions relating to residence, identity, good character and their intention to continue residing in Ireland, among other requirements. Most adult applicants currently need five years of reckonable residence, structured as four years during the eight years before the final qualifying year and one continuous year immediately before the application. Spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens currently have a separate three-year residence requirement. The proposed reform would add several conditions that do not currently form part of the standard naturalisation process. In particular, applicants would for the first time be expected to demonstrate language proficiency and civic knowledge, while the standard residence period would increase by three years. The change is particularly significant because Ireland currently has no language proficiency requirement for naturalisation. The Department of Justice stated in April 2026 that no such requirement applied at that time and said that naturalisation legislation remained under constant review.

Explained simply

Imagine you want to become a permanent citizen of Ireland. Right now, you usually need to live there for five years. But soon, the government wants to change it so you might need to live there for eight years instead. You'll also need to prove you can speak English or Irish, know about Irish society, and show you can support yourself financially. It's like making sure you're really part of the country before you can become a citizen.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v1Amended 9 Sept 2026ProposalCritical impact
   Ireland Approves Priority Drafting of Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill with Stricter Naturalisation Requirements

   Ireland's government has approved the priority drafting of new legislation that will strengthen naturalisation requirements. The proposed changes will increase the qualifying period of reckonable residence from 5 to 8 years for most applicants. Additionally, applicants will need to pass language tests in English, Irish, or Irish Sign Language, an Irish civics, society, and politics test, and demonstrate self-sufficiency. These measures, announced on 9 September 2026, aim to align Ireland's naturalisation process with other European countries and reflect that Irish citizenship is an earned privilege.