Applying for UK Citizenship as an Irish National

Formalising your ties to the UK by acquiring citizenship as an Irish citizen futureproofs your legal status without relying on continuing bilateral agreements. 

With both the Republic of Ireland and the UK recognising dual citizenship, you do not have to choose one passport or the other.

Today, there are an estimated 289,000 Irish-born residents in the UK, according to the latest census records, but the number is expected to be much higher. Due to the close ties between the two countries, Irish nationals can utilise an accelerated process to acquire UK citizenship.

The new and simpler route to British citizenship for Irish nationals

 
Since July 2025, the citizenship acquisition process has changed for Irish nationals. Under Section 4AA of the British Nationality Act 1981, Irish nationals can acquire citizenship after five years of residence in the UK. Additionally, it bypasses the need to acquire either EU settled status or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status.

Unlike other nationalities, there’s also no need to pass an English language test or the Life in the UK examination. Moreover, the process is cheaper, making this an ideal way to gain several benefits that only come with citizenship, including access to all civil service roles and the right to stand for political office.

Residence requirements and absences from the UK for Irish nationals

 
Irish applicants must be able to prove that they have lived in the UK for at least five years from when they submit their application to the Home Office. Crucially, you must be able to prove it, which can often be difficult if you have been residing in Northern Ireland, where no border between the Republic of Ireland is present.

During the five years residency period, you are permitted to leave the country for holidays, however

• You cannot have been outside of the UK for more than 450 days in the last five years.
  
• You cannot have been away for more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying for citizenship.

Although it isn’t necessary to use the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to reside in the UK, it can be helpful to use it anyway if you’re pursuing citizenship. The reason for this is that it becomes much easier to prove the residence requirement.

Based on March 2021 estimates, approximately 3% of Irish nationals in the UK had applied to the scheme. Whilst the Common Travel Area (CTA) means UK and Irish citizens have the right to live and work across borders, the EUSS should be considered an extra security layer for protecting your future rights before obtaining citizenship.

How to get UK citizenship as an Irish national

Getting your UK citizenship requires six key steps. You’ll need to verify your eligibility, gather the necessary documents, get a review from a solicitor, submit your application, pay the fee and then submit your biometrics.

You don’t need to have ILR status to apply because Irish citizens are in the unique position of being considered already settled from the moment they emigrate to the UK.

Here’s the step-by-step process for applying for UK citizenship:

1. Verify Eligibility – Confirm that you already meet the five-year residency requirement. Note that this requirement is just three years if you’re married to a British citizen.

2. Gather Documents – You’ll need to provide proof of who you are and evidence that you have met the residency requirement. Generally, the challenge is proving that you’ve been in the country for the requisite number of days, so there’s no such thing as too much evidence.

3. Speak with an Immigration Lawyer – An immigration specialist, like the team at Latitude Law, will be able to review the strength of your application and give you the best chance of success.

4. Submit Your Application – The simplest way for Irish citizens to apply for citizenship is to use Form BOTA and pay the fee, which is approximately £853.

5. Provide Biometrics – You will be contacted by the Home Office and asked to provide your biometric details. This assumes that your application has already been accepted.

6. Attend Your Citizenship Ceremony – The final step is to attend a citizenship ceremony. You’ll be required to take the oath of allegiance, where you will then be presented with your British citizenship certificate. Note that the ceremony fee is £130 and is paid for separately from your application fee.

Typically, you can expect to wait for roughly six months before receiving a decision on your application. Note that the six-month waiting period doesn’t contribute to your five-year residency requirement. You must have met the residency requirement before applying.

Can you hold both Irish and British citizenship?

Yes, both Ireland and Britain recognise dual citizenship. You’ll be able to keep your Irish passport and your new British passport simultaneously.

Can you get British citizenship as an Irish national through marriage to a UK citizen?

Yes, you can get British citizenship as an Irish national by marrying a UK citizen. The current immigration framework also means you can receive citizenship with just a three-year residency requirement. However, citizenship is still not an automatic right, and all other requirements remain the same.

What happens if you are refused UK citizenship as an Irish national?

You retain the automatic right to live and work in the UK under the terms of the CTA. You have no right to appeal, but you can submit Form NR to ask the Home Office to reconsider. There’s also the option to launch a judicial review or submit a brand-new application.

Seek legal help if you find yourself in the situation where your UK citizenship has been refused.