Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
745. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if an application for citizenship (details supplied) submitted on 8 December 2025 will be assessed under the rules which were in place at the time of this submission, rather than the proposed policy change which was outlined by his Department on the same date. [72270/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast month Minister O'Callaghan and I secured Government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland’s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States.
As part of this, I intend to make a number of changes to the rules on the granting of citizenship, one of which relates to the residency requirements of a person granted international protection to be granted citizenship, which came into effect on 8 December 2025.
I want to clarify for the Deputy that International Protection applicants are not eligible to apply for naturalisation. Only individuals who have been granted an International Protection declaration and who have accrued the required period of reckonable residence in the State can be considered for Irish citizenship.
Previously, individuals granted international protection status could apply for citizenship after a time period of three years. Effective from 8 December 2025 persons granted international protection will generally be required to have five years of reckonable residence in the State before they can apply for citizenship.
Applications for citizenship received before 8 December 2025 will continue to be processed under the previous three year rule, while applications submitted on or after that date will be assessed in line with the new five year residency requirement. This change brings citizenship applicants with international protection status in line with most other citizenship applicants.
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation and other resources is available on my Department’s Immigration website here: [https://www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/]
