Citizenship by Naturalisation (Spouse or Civil Partner)

To qualify for this pathway, you must meet specific thresholds regarding your relationship, your residency, and your personal history.

1. Relationship Status

• Duration: You must have been married to or in a legal civil partnership with an Irish citizen for at least 3 years. You cannot apply before this three-year anniversary, even if you have lived in Ireland for much longer.
• Validity: Your marriage or partnership must be legally recognized in Ireland.
• Cohabitation: You and your Irish spouse must be living together as a couple at the time of the application.

2. Reckonable Residence

"Reckonable residence" refers to the time you have spent in Ireland on a visa stamp that counts toward citizenship.

• The Three-Year Rule: You must have at least 1,095 days (3 years) of reckonable residence on the island of Ireland within the last nine years.
• The Island of Ireland: Uniquely for spouses, time spent living in Northern Ireland counts toward your residency total, provided you were living there with your Irish spouse.
• The Final Year: You must have 365 days of continuous residence in the State immediately before your application date. Under the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, you are allowed up to 70 days of absence from Ireland during this final year. An additional 30 days may be permitted for exceptional circumstances (e.g., health or employment).
• Visa Types: Time spent on a Student Visa (Stamp 2) or under Temporary Protection generally does not count. Time spent on Stamp 1, Stamp 4, or Stamp 1G typically does.

3. Personal Criteria

• Age: You must be 18 years or older.
• Good Character: The Minister for Justice will review your "good character." This includes your criminal record, driving offenses, and any history of non-compliance with immigration rules.
• Intention: You must declare your intention to continue living on the island of Ireland after you become a citizen.