Irish Citizenship for Americans

If an Irish-born grandparent qualifies you, you can become an Irish — and therefore EU — citizen.

Check Your Eligibility — €49

Three routes to Irish citizenship

1. Irish-born parent — automatic.
2. Irish-born grandparent — Foreign Births Registration, then passport.
3. Naturalisation — 5 of the last 9 years resident.

Great-grandparent route — usually no

You can only claim through a great-grandparent if your parent was registered on the Foreign Births Register before you were born.

Timeline

Foreign Births processing: 6–9 months. Passport: additional 6–8 weeks. Plan for ~12 months.

FAQs

Can I hold dual US-Irish citizenship?

Yes. Both countries permit it. You still file US taxes on worldwide income for life.

Can my children also claim?

Only if you register yourself on the Foreign Births Register before they are born.

More: Dual Citizenship · Full Checklist