Eligibility Quiz
Are you currently physically present in Ireland?
Requirements
To qualify for protection, you must be physically present in Ireland and meet the legal definitions of a refugee or a person in need of subsidiary protection.
- Inadmissibility: You cannot apply for protection in Ireland if you have already been granted refugee status in another EU Member State or if another country is responsible for your application under the Dublin III Regulation (which generally requires you to apply in the first safe country you entered).
- Safe Countries of Origin: If you are from a country designated as "safe" by the Irish government, your application will be fast-tracked under accelerated border procedures. As of 2026, these countries include Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, India, Kosovo, Malawi, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Serbia, and South Africa.
- Credibility: You must demonstrate that your fear of return is genuine and based on objective facts. Delaying your application after arriving in Ireland can be used as a reason to doubt the credibility of your claim.
Conditions & Warnings
Ireland is transitioning to the International Protection Bill 2026, which introduces a strict 3-month time limit for certain border procedures.
Applicants from designated 'Safe Countries of Origin' (e.g., Georgia, India, Brazil) face accelerated processing with decisions often in under 60 days.
New 2026 rules impose a 3-year wait and financial thresholds for family reunification after protection is granted.
Qualifications
Interpreters and cultural mediators are available at the International Protection Office (IPO) to assist with applications.
Fees
There are no fees to apply for international protection.