Easier routes to British citizenship open up for Irish
Irish citizens may obtain British citizenship and a British passport under new routes when the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 comes into force this month.
From 22 July, several routes to British citizenship will open, including naturalisation after residing in Britain for a period, through birth or descent if certain conditions are met, or through a new, simplified registration process.
Routes to British citizenship for Irish citizens include:
- Naturalisation: Irish citizens can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation after living in Britain for at least six years – including one year with indefinite leave to remain or settled status. Candidates also need to pass a test and demonstrate an intention to continue living in the country,
- Birth or descent: Irish citizens born in Britain after 1983 are automatically British citizens. Citizenship by descent may be available to individuals whose parents or grandparents were British citizens at the time of their birth, even if born outside Britain.,
- New registration route (Effective July 22 2025 – The British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 introduces a new, simplified registration route for Irish citizens who have been lawfully resident for five years.
This route is intended to be less complex and costly than naturalisation, with no test or English language requirements.
Irish citizens already have the right to live and work in Britain under the Common Travel Area arrangement, regardless of British citizenship.
Dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is permitted, so Irish citizens can retain their Irish citizenship even if they become British citizens.
The new registration route is not yet in force, and the exact registration costs are still to be defined.
Irish citizens born in the North are generally considered British citizens by birth, even without a passport.