EU Treaty Rights Family Member Residence Card

You must be physically present in Ireland to begin this process; you cannot apply for this residence card from abroad. If you are from a country that requires a visa to enter Ireland, you must first obtain a Join Family "C" or "D" visa before traveling. Once you have arrived in Ireland, you have 90 days to submit your application.

As of 2026, the Irish Immigration Service (ISD) requires applicants to use the ISD Online Customer Portal. Postal applications are discouraged and typically face much longer wait times.

Step 1: Determine Your Category

Before starting the online form, identify which category you fall into, as this determines which form you use:

• Qualifying Family Members: Use Form EUTR1. This is for spouses, civil partners, children/grandchildren under 21 (or dependent), and dependent parents/grandparents.
• Permitted Family Members: Use Form EUTR1A. This is for de facto partners (typically requiring 2 years of cohabitation), other dependent relatives, or family members requiring personal care due to serious health grounds.

Step 2: Submit the Online Application

Log into the ISD Online Customer Portal and complete the relevant form (EUTR1 or EUTR1A). You will need to upload digital copies of:

• Passports: Valid passports for both you and your EU/EEA/Swiss sponsor.
• Proof of Relationship: Such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or evidence of a durable partnership (joint bank accounts, shared tenancy).
• Sponsor’s Activity: Evidence that your sponsor is exercising "Treaty Rights" in Ireland. This includes employment contracts and payslips if they are working, or proof of private medical insurance and sufficient funds if they are a student or self-sufficient.
• Translations: Any document not in English or Irish must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Step 3: Receive Temporary Permission

Once your application is submitted and deemed valid, the EU Treaty Rights Division will issue a Temporary Acknowledgement Letter. For Qualifying Family Members, this letter often includes a temporary Stamp 4 (permission to work and reside) while your application is being processed.

Step 4: The Decision

The ISD will review your documents. If you are a Permitted Family Member (Form EUTR1A), your case will undergo more intensive vetting. If approved, you will receive a formal letter granting you a Residence Card of a Family Member of a Union Citizen. This permission is usually valid for 5 years.

Step 5: Register and Receive Your IRP Card

After receiving your approval letter, you must register your permission to get your physical Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card.

• If you live in Dublin, you must book an appointment at the Burgh Quay Registration Office.
• If you live outside Dublin, you must contact your local Garda (Police) District Headquarters Registration Office.

There is no government fee to submit the initial application forms (EUTR1 or EUTR1A). However, you must pay for the physical residence card once approved.

Item	Cost
Application Fee (EUTR1/EUTR1A)	€0
Irish Residence Permit (IRP) Card	€300
Total Estimate	€300

Does not include: Costs for certified translations of foreign documents, apostille stamps, private medical insurance premiums (required for students/self-sufficient sponsors), or initial entry visa fees for visa-required nationals.

The time it takes to receive your final residence card depends on the complexity of your relationship and the current volume of applications.

• Legal Decision Deadline: Under EU law, a decision must be made within 6 months of submitting a complete application.
• Qualifying Family Members (EUTR1): Usually processed within the 6-month target.
• Permitted Family Members (EUTR1A): Due to the high level of discretion and vetting required, these cases often take 10 to 12 months.
• IRP Card Issuance: After your application is approved, it can take between 2 to 10 weeks to secure a registration appointment and receive your physical card in the mail.

Document Validity: Ensure your passport remains valid throughout the process. If your sponsor is a student or self-sufficient, their Comprehensive Sickness Insurance (private medical insurance) must be active from the day you arrive in Ireland until the decision is made.