Proposed citizenship rule change could delay Julia’s Irish naturalisation until 2030

Julia, a Brazilian who has lived in Dublin since 2008, may have to wait until 2030 to become an Irish citizen if the Government’s new residency rules are enacted.

Under current law, Julia will reach the five‑year reckonable residency threshold in January 2027. The proposals, signed off by Cabinet in early May, would raise the required period from five to eight years, pushing her eligibility date back three years.

Julia arrived in Ireland with her grandmother and spent her childhood undocumented, attending primary and secondary school without legal status. At 19, after sitting the Leaving Cert, she could not apply for university courses because she was ineligible for the “free fees” scheme, facing fees of at least €10,000 a year.

In 2021, shortly before turning 22, she was granted a Stamp 4 visa, allowing her to live, work and study without an employment permit. However, the years she spent in Ireland before that visa do not count as reckonable residence, meaning she must start the residency clock anew.

Government reforms

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan’s plan, described as the biggest overhaul of citizenship rules in a generation, also includes extending the residency requirement for spouses of Irish citizens from three to five years, introducing language proficiency tests in English, Irish or Irish sign language, and new civics examinations on Irish society and politics. The Government aims to have the changes in place by the end of the year.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Lucas Mosesson / Pexels.