Following the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union, eligible UK nationals have been applying for Irish passports in record numbers to attempt to maintain their EU citizenship rights. Therefore, Irish passport applicants can expect delays in the coming months due to the high demand for applications. Similarly, Irish citizens with valid passports that wish to renew their passports can also expect delays.

Irish citizenship can be obtained through birth, ancestry or naturalisation. The most common route for UK nationals is by birth in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, or by descent as someone whose parent or grandparent was born in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

The Irish government has reminded applicants that there is no urgent need for UK passport holders to apply for Irish citizenship, as the United Kingdom is still a full member of the European Union and UK citizens still enjoy these rights.

What This Means for Foreign Nationals

Due to high demand and the delays this will bring, Irish passport applicants should submit their applications far before expiration or a considerable time prior to travel to allow for timely processing.

Visit our dedicated Brexit website to access information on the United Kingdom's exit and its specific impact on immigration, mobility and business.

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