Ireland Country Profile

Passport
For more details visit Ireland Passport Ranking
  • Passport Grade
    A
  • Passport Ranking
    21/198
  • Passport Score
    176.9/198
  • Visa-free Countries
    159
  • Visa-required Countries
    39
  • Access to the World's GDP
    75%
  • Access to the World's Surface Area
    61%
  • Access to the World's Population
    47%
  • Access to the Unesco Sites
    81%
Citizenship and Naturalization
Birthright citizenship (Jus Soli)
  • Birthright citizenship (Jus Soli)
    Restricted
    Restricted: A child born in Ireland will become a citizen at birth in the following cases: - One of the parents is a permanent resident of Ireland or the UK, OR - One of the parents was resident of Ireland or Northern Ireland for 3 out of the last 4 years.
Naturalization - Standard Conditions
  • Minimum residency period
    5 years
  • Physical presence requirement
    On average, 10.5 months per year. Can spend less time if residing in Ireland for longer than 5 years
  • Language test
    No
  • Need to renounce original citizenship?
    No
  • Can minor children naturalize?
    Yes, minor children naturalize along with parents
  • Can naturalized parents pass citizenship to a child born abroad?
  • Can you lose naturalization due to prolonged absence/ naturalization elsewhere?
Naturalization - Your Spouse is a Citizen
  • Living IN the country: Residency/marriage requirement
    3 years / 3 years
    Must be both married and reside in the country for 3 years.
  • Living ABROAD: Marriage requirement
    Not allowed
  • Language test
    No
  • Need to renounce original citizenship?
    No
Naturalization - Other Beneficial Provisions
  • Your child is a citizen
    No provisions
  • Citizens of specific countries
    No provisions
"–": The provision has not been analysed.
Taxation
For more details visit Cost of Living
  • Taxation Type
    Residence-based
A tax resident of a country with a RESIDENCE-BASED tax system pays taxes on their WORLDWIDE income. However, if you lose tax residency status there (e.g., by moving out), the country will generally stop taxing you.
Schiff Sovereign's Take on Ireland
If you love strong tea, dark beer, nubby sweaters and literature, then Ireland might be right for you. 

Irish people are a delight: They’re generally very nice, well educated, and can turn a dull event into a riveting yarn.

But you better also love rainy weather if you plan on spending any time in Ireland. Because sunshine is a scarce resource in the country...

There are theories, in fact, that the wit and intellect of the Irish (and English) can be traced to their dismal weather: They can’t go outside and play on the beach all day, so they read, think, and converse. There’s probably some truth to that.

The capital city of Dublin is a very cool place. 

And there are a lot of great things about Ireland in general (including their beer).

Ireland can also be interesting for certain business opportunities.

The country is a part of the European Union, but is somewhat of a happy exception within a bloc of otherwise high-tax jurisdictions. Its corporate tax rate is 12.5% – one of the lowest in the Western world. This fact has attracted multiple multinational companies to Irish shores over the years. 

Ireland is also now the only English speaking EU country, with the UK having left the bloc in 2021, which further adds to its appeal.

The downside? A successful economy has made Ireland a very expensive place to live.

But the country can still be very interesting from a Plan B perspective.

The Irish are now the only nationality with free access to two European markets – the EU, by being part of the bloc, and the UK, through bilateral agreements. 

If you have Irish ancestry, you could become an Irish citizen, too, based on the country's generous Citizenship by Ancestry laws.

If you have no Irish blood, however, you could also consider Ireland’s (rather expensive) Golden Visa.
Schiff Sovereign's Rolodex
Service Providers available in Ireland
  • Tax advice (attorneys and/or accountants)
  • Corporate services (company formation, etc.)
  • Citizenship by Ancestry
Obtain access to our Rolodex by signing up for Sovereign Confidential Join Sovereign Confidential Today

Sovereign Global Explorer

Benefiting from over a decade of our team’s boots-on-the-ground experience, Global Explorer is where your international journey begins.
Ireland Overview
  • Region
    Europe
  • Capital City
    Dublin
  • Largest City
    Dublin
  • Currency
    Euro
  • Languages
    English, Irish
  • Population
    5.1 million (124th)
  • Life Expectancy
    81.7 years (36th)
  • GDP (Nominal)
    $519.8 billion (29th)
  • GDP/Capita
    $101,449 (5th)
Useful Data
For more details visit Cost of Living
  • Cost of Living
    Extreme (7/7)
  • Climate
    Comfortable (2/5)
  • Safety
    Very Safe (2/7)
  • Pollution
    Very clean (1/5)
  • English Proficiency
    Native

Sovereign Global Explorer

Benefiting from over a decade of our team’s boots-on-the-ground experience, Global Explorer is where your international journey begins.
PREMIUM REPORTS
Ireland inside Schiff Sovereign resources

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