Ireland residence permit by investment and citizenship: how to get Investor Golden Visa

Any non-EEA national needs to obtain a long-term residence permit to move to Ireland and stay for any reason for longer than 90 days. Permits are issued for work, study, business, retirement, and investment.

The stamp in the documents related to the residence permit reflects the type of residence permit issued. The type of stamp is indicated in the kind of permit column of the Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

Irish Immigration Stamps

Stamp 0 — for financially independent persons

The holder is not allowed to work, do business, or benefit from government benefits in Ireland.

The permit can be issued to

• pensioners with income from abroad;

• teachers invited to an Irish university;

• an elderly dependent relative of a person without EU or Swiss citizenship.

Stamp 1 — for work or business

Applicants must first obtain a work, business, or self-employment permit.

Stamp 1A — for trainee accountants

You cannot work in another profession or run a business unless it is authorised in a letter from the immigration service. The accounting course must be completed within 4 years from the date of issuance of the permit.

Stamp 1G — for university graduates and spouses of specialists with professional qualifications

Graduates are issued a residence permit to seek work in accordance with the Third Level Graduate program. The permit is valid for one year. Master’s degree holders may be granted an additional year.

Spouses and partners of skilled professionals and researchers may work in Ireland but are not allowed to run a business or be self-employed. They need to renew their permit every year. After five years, with this permission, they can apply for Stamp 4.

Stamp 2 — for students studying in the Interim List of Eligible Programs (ILEP)

Holders can study in Ireland based on Stamp 2 for a maximum of 7 years. Students can work 20 hours a week during term time and holidays 40 hours. They are not allowed to do business or use government services.

The Interim List of Eligible Programs (ILEP).

Stamp 2A — for students on courses not included in the ILEP and spouses of financially independent students

Foreigners with this permit cannot work, do business, or use government services in Ireland.

Stamp 2A can be obtained by

• students who came to Ireland to study for one semester;

• pupils at private schools in Ireland;

• spouses of financially independent students.

Stamp 3 — for public figures and spouses of foreigners with a work permit

A residence permit can be issued to a volunteer, priest, spouse or partner of a foreigner working in Ireland.

Based only on this stamp, you cannot work or do business in Ireland. You will need to apply separately for permission to work.

Stamp 4 — for refugees, employees of Irish companies, and family reunification

Foreigners can obtain a residence permit by investment in the following circumstances:

• when moving to join their spouse, partner, or children who are Irish citizens;

• enter Ireland as refugees. In this case, their close family members are also eligible;

• have worked in Ireland for 2 to 5 years;

• are participating in the residence permit by investment program.

Stamp 4 gives the holder the right to work without a work permit, run a business, and be self-employed. Residents can use government services and benefits.

Stamp 4D — non-EEA family of British citizens who decided to stay in Ireland after Brexit

Non-EEA family of UK citizens seeking to reside in Ireland.

Stamp 5 — for foreigners who can stay in Ireland without conditions on the time they can remain

You can apply for Stamp 5 after 96 months of residence in Ireland. The permit is valid until the expiration of your passport.

Time spent in Ireland based on some stamps does not count towards the 96 months required for eligibility for Stamp 5. These include stamps 0, 1A, 2, and 2A. Some categories of residents with stamps 3 and 4 also cannot consider the time spent in the country eligible for Stamp 5.

Stamp 6 — for citizens of Ireland with dual citizenship

This stamp may be entered into your non-Irish passport if you have applied for permission to remain in Ireland without conditions.

Within 90 days from the date of issue of the residence permit, it must be registered with the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). It does not apply to applicants with Stamp 6: they do not need to register.

An Irish residence permit is the first step towards citizenship by naturalisation. However, not all types of permissions lead to citizenship. For example, the time spent in residence with stamps 2 and 2A, a student residence permit, is not considered when applying for citizenship.

• €400,000 —minimum investment

• 5‑6 months — for processing a residence permit application

• 5 years — period of residence in Ireland in order to apply for citizenship

The Immigrant Investor program in Ireland was launched in 2012 to support the economy and create new jobs.

Who can apply for an Irish residence permit? Investors with no criminal records, a good reputation, and a net worth of at least 2 million euros can participate in the program.

Together with the investor, their spouse or partner and their minor children are eligible to receive a residence permit. Children between 18 and 24 can participate in the program if they are financially dependent on the investor and are not married.

Investment options. To participate in the program, applicants can choose one of four investment options. Three of them allow the initial investment to be returned to the investor after three years. The exact period is indicated in the contract with the fund or company.

Applicants must make the investment from their own capital; they cannot use loans or credit. The following sources of income are permitted for participation in the program:

• profit from a business or investment;

• purchase and sale transactions;

• inheritance and gifts;

• capital received after a divorce.

The investment can be reduced if the applicant or family member included in the application plans to study at an Irish university. It must be reported at the application stage. A letter from the university is added to the documents submitted, confirming that the investor or their relative has agreed to enrol and indicating the cost of each year of study. The maximum discount is €50,000.

Validity period of the residence permit. An Irish residence permit is issued for two years. It can then be extended by three years, and then the residence card can be extended every five years.

What does an Irish residence permit offer? Investors receive Stamp 4. With this residence permit, they can live, work, and do business in Ireland. Participants in the residence permit by investment program are not required to move to the country as long as they visit Ireland at least once during the calendar year.

How financially independent individuals can get a residence permit in EU

Time spent in Ireland with Stamp 4 counts towards obtaining Irish citizenship by naturalisation. To qualify for citizenship, the applicant must have lived in the country for 12 months before applying and for four of the previous eight years.

Ireland is not part of the Schengen area; thus, an Irish residence permit does not allow you to travel around Europe without a visa. Investors interested in visa-free travel to the Schengen countries should instead consider applying for a residence permit in Portugal, Greece, or Spain or permanent residence in Malta by direct investment.

Practical Guide

Practical Guide

Looking to obtain a residence permit in Europe?

Download practical guide

The following documents are required to apply for an Ireland residence permit for any investment option:

1. Original passport and its copy.

2. Two passport-size photos.

3. Original and apostilled copy of a birth certificate for children.

4. Original and apostilled copy of marriage certificate for a spouse.

5. Proof of personal income.

6. Proof that you have sufficient funds to invest.

7. Proof of source of funds. For example, contracts of sale and purchase of assets, shares, real estate leases, donations, and authorship contracts.

8. Evidence of good character for family members over 16. It is a certificate from the police authorities of each country where they have resided for more than six months during the 10 years before the application.

9. Receipt of application fee of €1,500 by electronic funds transfer.

10. Health insurance policy.

When investing in an enterprise, the applicant additionally submits the latest audited accounts and a comprehensive business plan for the enterprise.

The business plan must include a financial investment to obtain a residence permit under the program. The business plan must explain how the funds will help create or maintain employment in the business. It should also clearly define the amount of the investor’s share in the company and how the investor will receive a return on investment.

Applicants can fill out business plans according to a sample.

Investment Fund. Investors must provide evidence of their good character, wealth and source of funds. The fund manager or legal representative can submit the application on behalf of the investor.

Real Estate Investment Trust. When applying, investors need only indicate that investing in a REIT is their preferred option and that they have the necessary funds to invest.

The investor need not specify which individual REIT listing he intends to invest in.

Any investment in a REIT made before obtaining approval to invest in a REIT under the Immigrant Investor Program will not be considered an eligible investment.

Endowment. Applicants must provide details of how the endowment will be used by the beneficiary and how their endowment will benefit the public in Ireland.

All documents must be apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in the applicant’s country of residence.

Uncover the privileges granted by Golden Visas to their holders

Pre-approval letters will be issued to applicants and their families who are approved by the Evaluation Committee and the Minister for Justice and Equality. After the date of this letter, applicants must invest within 90 days.

The applicant must submit the following documents to the Minister upon completion of the investment.

Enterprise Investment:

1. A letter from a solicitor licensed to practice in the State confirming that funds have been invested in an Irish company.

2. A letter from the company stating how much it invested in its business.

3. An official bank statement and a wire transfer confirmation prove that the funds have been transferred.

Investment Fund:

1. An investment fund confirmation letter from a solicitor licensed to practice in the State.

2. A letter from the Fund Investment Manager detailing the fund’s investment value.

3. A copy of the applicant’s subscription certificate.

Real Estate Investment Trust:

1. The letter confirms that €2 million has been invested in the REIT by a solicitor licensed to practice in the State.

2. REIT company letter stating financial value invested in the REIT.

3. A copy of the applicant’s share certificate.

Endowment:

1. A letter from a solicitor licensed to practice in the State confirming that money has been transferred to a registered charity.

2. A registered charity letter indicates the financial amount donated to their charity.

3. Evidence of transfer of funds includes payment remittance and bank statements showing transfer of funds.

When the Minister is satisfied that the investment has been made, the applicant will receive a letter granting the applicant a residence permit. This approval is valid for 2 years from the date of the letter.

Holders can renew the residence permit by investment in Ireland after two years. You can apply to renew your residence permit at least three months before your permit expires.

To extend a residence permit for the first time, the holder must confirm:

• that they have maintained their investment;

• have not become a financial burden on the government;

• have not been charged or convicted of a crime in any jurisdiction.

The conditions for extending a residence permit in Ireland for five years are almost identical to those for the first extension of three years. The only difference is that the residence permit holder needs to show that they will maintain their investment for three years for the first extension and then for five years for subsequent extensions. Investors who selected the option of a charitable donation do not need to show that they have maintained their investment.

You can extend your residence permit in Ireland in the same place where you first obtained it.

An application for Ireland permanent residence (Long Term Residency) can be submitted after five years of residence there. Permanent residence allows you to work in Ireland for the next five years without additional permission.

The applicant must meet the following requirements:

• have lived in Ireland for at least 60 months based on Stamp 1 or Stamp 4;

• be working based on a work permit;

• not be a burden on the state, for example, cannot receive benefits;

• not be in trouble with the police;

• not violate the conditions attached to Irish residence permits;

• be legally resident in Ireland at the time of application;

• be employed at the time of application and during the application process.

The spouse and dependents of the applicant for permanent residence can also be included in the application. The spouse must also meet the requirement of having lived in Ireland for at least 60 months. Non-working family members included in the application are issued permits stamped 1G or 3, depending on the type of work permit held by the main applicant.

By investment, participants of the residence permit program cannot obtain permanent residence in Ireland. This status is not available to holders of many other permits, such as the self-employed, entrepreneurs, students, and volunteers.

Irish citizenship can be obtained by birth, adoption, naturalisation, and special services. Ireland does not have a citizenship by investment program: investors first get a residence permit and then citizenship by naturalisation on general terms.

Citizenship at birth in Ireland: Irish citizenship is automatically acquired by a child who does not have the right to citizenship in another state.

Which countries permit citizenship by birth

A newborn child can also get Irish citizenship at birth if one parent is 

• an Irish citizen;

• a British citizen;

• an Irish resident who has the right to live in Ireland and Northern Ireland without any time limit;

• a foreigner, who was legally resident in Ireland for three of the four years prior to the birth of the child. It does not include time spent in Ireland as a student or refugee.

These rules apply to children born in Ireland on or after 1 January 2005. From December 1999 until 2005, any child born in Ireland was entitled to get Irish citizenship.

Ireland does not grant citizenship to the children of foreign diplomats. However, a child born to a diplomat raising a child with an Irish citizen, British citizen or permanent resident of Ireland is eligible for Irish citizenship at birth.

Citizenship by descent: citizenship is acquired by children with one Irish parent.

Citizenship is automatically assigned to children who have at least one parent who is

• an Irish citizen and was born in Ireland;

• an Irish citizen was not born in Ireland and is in public service abroad.

In other cases, citizenship must be registered.

A foreign citizen whose grandparents were Irish citizens and were born in Ireland is also eligible for citizenship by descent.

Upon adoption: a child acquires citizenship if at least one of the adoptive parents is an Irish citizen.

Parents can apply on behalf of their minor children. Children between 18 and 23 can apply for citizenship as “dependent young adults” by living in Ireland with their families, attending school or university, and being financially dependent on their parents.

Citizenship through marriage: citizenship is obtained by naturalisation. In this case, the period of residence in the country before the submission of documents is reduced to three years.

Honorary citizenship. The President of Ireland grants honorary citizenship on the government’s advice as a sign of respect for a person who has rendered a service to the country. The passport is issued to the honoured person, their child, or their grandchild.

Dual citizenship is allowed in Ireland. A foreigner who obtains an Irish passport will not have to renounce citizenship in their original country.

Live in Ireland, a developed country with a high standard of living and a stable economy. It is ranked second in the world in terms of GDP per capita.

The minimum wage for an adult employee over 19 in 2021 was €10.2 per hour. The average salary after taxes is €2,575 per month, according to Numbeo.com.

Medical treatment and education in Europe. Irish citizens can receive free medical care and education in Ireland. In addition, they enjoy benefits in other EU states. For example, they are given discounts for education at universities and treatment in medical clinics and thus pay less than non-EU citizens.

The best countries in terms of education

Relocation to any EU country: Irish citizens can move to any EU under a simplified procedure. They only have to travel to the chosen country and register there without applying for a residence permit in advance.

Business and work in Europe. Irish citizens can work and form companies in Ireland and other European countries.

Many international companies have their headquarters in Ireland: Google, Apple, IBM, Facebook, LinkedIn, Cisco, Adobe, and others. They are attracted by Ireland’s stable economy and a low corporate income tax rate of 12,5% on active income.

Travel visa-free to 187 countries around the world, including all EU and Schengen countries, Britain, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia.

Nature and attractions. The nature in Ireland is picturesque, and there are many natural attractions.

Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle because it is very green. The fields do not change colour because it rains almost all year round.

Tourists can access historical sights of different eras: ancient megalithic complexes, mediaeval castles, and modern monuments. There are also some unusual and exciting museums in Ireland. For example, the Guinness Beer Museum and the National Leprechaun Museum in Dublin.

In some European Union countries, an investor can obtain a residence permit or citizenship more easily, faster, or with a smaller investment.

How to choose the best country to immigrate to

Citizenship in these countries offers the same benefits as an Irish passport: they allow you to travel the world visa-free. You can also live, work, do business, receive medical treatment, and study in any European country.

Malta grants investors permanent residence by investment and citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services.

Malta permanent residence can be obtained in 6 to 8 months for an investment of €160,000. Applicants need to 

• buy or rent real estate;

• pay an administrative fee and a state fee;

• make a charitable donation in a non-government organisation.

Although the permanent residence is issued for life, holders must renew the permanent residence card every five years. Investors can obtain Malta citizenship by naturalisation under the standard conditions: after permanent residence in the country for five years.

Malta citizenship through naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. First, applicants receive a residence permit, and after a year or three, they apply for citizenship.

To get Malta citizenship, you need to invest at least €690,000:

• buy or rent real estate;

• contribute to the National Development Fund;

• donate to a non-governmental organisation.

Portugal offers foreign investors residence permits. Five years after getting a residence permit, they can apply for permanent residence or citizenship. At the same time, they are not required to live in the country: the investor and their family have to spend just seven days a year in Portugal to renew their residence permit.

Investors can choose from seven investment options. The most popular options are to purchase real estate for €280,000 and shares in investment funds for €500,000.

10 countries where you can get citizenship or a residence permit by purchasing real estate

Greece also grants residence permits to investors. To obtain a residence permit, you need to invest €250,000 in real estate or €400,000 in securities or a deposit account. It takes 6 months to get a Greek residence permit.

To obtain Greek citizenship, an investor needs to live in the country as a residence permit holder for five years, then obtain permanent residence and spend another two years in the country. After seven years of residence, they can apply for citizenship. Getting a passport in Greece takes longer than in Ireland, but the investment is much smaller.