If one of your parents was born abroad to an Irish born parent, then you are entitled to apply for Irish Citizenship.
The Irish diaspora is well documented, but what is less well documented is Irish Citizenship can be claimed by any grandchild born outside Ireland who has an Irish-born grandparent. Ireland permits dual citizenhip, so you get the best of both worlds.
To obtain Irish citizenship, you apply to have your birth entered on Ireland’s “Foreign Birth Register”. It can take up to 9 months for your application to be assessed but once approved, you will become an Irish citizen when your birth is added to the Register.
This will entitle you to apply for an Irish passport, which is the strongest passport in the world, according to the 2025 Nomad Passport Index. But perhaps the most important benefit is the retention of your Irish citizenship for the benefit of your children, who can apply for Irish citizenship based on your entry in the Foreign Birth Register.
This booklet explains how to apply, and the documentary proof required to support your application. The onus is on you to prove your entitlement. We are here to help you, from researching your Irish born grandparents, obtaining approved birth certificates, to preparing your application.
Do you Qualify for Irish Citizenship thanks to your Irish born Grandparent?
You are entitled to apply for Irish citizenship by having your birth registered on Ireland’s Foreign Birth Register if you and your parents were born outside the island of Ireland but you have an Irish born grandparent.Â
You are also entitled to apply for Irish citizenship if your parent’s birth was added to the Foreign Birth Register before you were born.Â