Since the triggering of “Article 50” there has been a surge in Irish passports.. For those with Irish relatives, the question we hear most frequently is: “can I get an Irish passport?” Since the Republic of Ireland is not part of Great Britain, their status in Europe will not change following Brexit.
The process of leaving the EU could take up to and over two years, so there is no urgent need to apply for an Irish passport. During the two-year negotiation period, British passport holders will continue to enjoy freedom of movement throughout Europe. However, if you would like to ensure you are still able to live and work throughout Europe regardless of the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, you may wish to apply for an Irish passport now.
As the Britain is heading towards a future outside of the EU, many British citizens are looking for a way to retain their right to freedom of movement throughout Europe
Check if you qualify Do you qualify? Contact us at www.optimuslaw.co.uk
Irish law is different to British Immigration and Nationality law
Irish law grants Irish Citizens to those whose parents or grandparents were born in Ireland are eligible for an Irish passport.
The Republic’s Passport Service reported that “the department does not ask people why they are applying for a passport, only whether they are eligible.”
Here are some tips on eligibility:
Do I qualify for an Irish passport?
If you, your parents or grandparents have Irish heritage, you may be entitled to an Irish passport no matter where you live, have lived or want to live. If you were born outside of Ireland but either of your parents are Irish citizens then you are able to apply for an Irish passport as you are entitled to Irish citizenship and an Irish passport under Irish law.
The key fact to note is that one of both of your parents were born in Ireland and can prove their Irish citizenship.
You could also qualify if one or both of your parents obtained Irish citizenship through Naturalisation of Foreign Birth Registration before you were born. Irish citizenship is passed to the next generation provided your parent was an Irish citizen before you were born.
What if I was born in Northern Ireland, can I get Citizenship?
The EU referendum outcome doesn’t change anything about current Irish passport rights. As the law stands at the moment, if you were born on the island of Ireland before 1 January 2005 then you are entitled to Irish citizenship. If you were born after 1 January 2005, then your eligibility will depend on where your parents were born. If they were born in Ireland, then you will also qualify for Irish citizenship.
What if I am British citizen can I have dual Nationality British and Irish?
The UK allows dual Nationality so yes you can hold both British and Irish Nationality.
If you wish to apply for Irish citizenship then you will need to go down the Naturalisation route. If you are married to an Irish citizen then you may be eligible for naturalisation. You can also apply for naturalisation if you are in Ireland or wish to move to Ireland as long as you meet other criteria’s. If you are thinking about applying for Irish Citizenship contact us at www.optimuslaw.co.uk
How long will it take to get an Irish passport?
First-time applications will take longer than renewals because of the extra security checks, so you should allow up to eight weeks to get your passport. There is likely to be a surge in demand at the Irish passport office following the UK’s exit from the EU, so Irish citizens hoping to renew their passports should also allow plenty of time and avoid sending their passport for renewal within eight weeks of travelling.
Want to start the process?
Contact Optimus Law today and our Immigration Lawyers team will help you through the process.
Tel: 0121 516 0288