WERE YOU BORN IN THE U.S. AND HAVE CLOSE IRISH ANCESTRY? READ THIS!!!

 

If You Were Born in the United States and Have Close Irish Ancestry, Here’s How YOU Can Become an Irish Citizen

… some actions you can take NOW!

 

By Tom Richards

I should start by explaining that I was born in Chicago and am therefore an American Citizen. Up until I met an Irish woman when on vacation in the UK and County Louth, Ireland, I had no plans to become a citizen of Ireland. When I married that wonderful woman who was born in County Meath, I soon learned that I was legally entitled to that incredible opportunity. The process back in 1982 was simple. Having moved to Navan, County Meath permanently,  I was ordered to report to the local Irish Police Station (the Garda Siochana) once a month to sign a document stating that I was still married to her, continued to live in the area with her and our children, and was gainfully employed. I received my Irish Citizenship in 1997 – a process that has allowed me to live there for over 43 years. Since then, I continue to hold dual nationality and possess both an Irish and United States Passport. (Note that I could have received Irish Citizenship in 1987 but simply didn’t think to do it.)

            Recently, I came back to the Chicago area (and will live here for at least a number of months) for business reasons and to visit my American relatives, colleagues and friends. I must admit that, having talked to many Americans, I’m gobsmacked by the fact that those who have close Irish Ancestry don’t realize that they may also be entitled to Irish Citizenship. Too, during my years living in Ireland, I’ve run into American tourists who were interested in obtaining their Irish Citizenship and Passport (which is also an EU Passport) but didn’t think they were eligible – even though they were.

            Below are a few facts on how you can successfully apply for Irish Citizenship (in which case, you will also receive your Irish / EU Passport). The process is straightforward.

Direct Irish Relationship

·        Are you the child or grandchild of an Irish Citizen? If yes then you are legally entitled to Itish Citizenship. Go to https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/ for more information and to apply. You’ll require a number of documents: your original civil birth certificate (showing the names of your Irish parent or parents); photocopy of your US Passport; two separate original proof of US address and 4 color photographs.

·        Documents related to your Irish parent (and you must submit originals or, I suspect, ‘legal’ copies): their Irish birth certificate; their marriage certificate; a copy of their Irish Passport or other proof of current Irish Citizenship.

Are You the Grandchild of an Irish Citizen?

If you are, visit the same website as noted above. In addition to your documents also mentioned above you must gather together:

·        Documents related to your Irish grandparent born in Ireland: Civil birth certificate; civil marriage certificate or change of name document if necessary; photocopy of Irish ID document or their original death certificate

Having gathered together all of these documents and photographs, you can start the application process by visiting: https://fbr.dfa.ie/finprod/fbr301.xsp?t=1736614233467

Why Apply for Irish / EU Citizenship?

Obtaining Irish / EU citizenship results in many benefits, just as I receive. This is only a partial list:

·        With an Irish / EU  passport, and as an EU Citizen, you can avoid the long line at Passport control in any Irish / EU airport or any other passport control. Too, you can work anywhere in the European Union. That’s the law. However, Britain (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) is no longer part of the EU due to BREXIT. Therefore, you are no longer entitled to work in those countries (you can, of course, still travel there without a Visa. You’ll need your Irish / EU passport to clear Passport Control. You can also apply for a Work Visa).

·        If, as an Irish Citizen, you move to Ireland and work there for a number of years, you’ll be entitled to the same social welfare benefits that I am: * Virtually free medication and doctor visits: * An exceptional Pension – I am entitled to lifetime government pension payments. My ‘Government Pension’ is almost like US Social Security. I receive a weekly payment which I can take in cash from my Irish Post Office or have transferred to my Irish bank account. * Astounding Health Benefits: free GP visits; virtually free medications from my local pharmacy; a ‘heat allowance’ paid every month when the weather is cold; cash bonuses given to all recipients of government pensions before many holidays including Christmas and certain Bank Holidays (often double the weekly payment); * Free hospital visits which includes surgery, medication, professional help from doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and other professionals involved in your care (a staggering benefit) ; * a ‘Bus Pass’ that allows me free travel on any bus, train, tram or ferry across Ireland and, because I am single and retired in Ireland, * A weekly ‘Living Alone Allowance’. The Health Benefits are somewhat like Medicare only much better.

·        University Tuition – if you bring your children into Ireland as an Irish / EU citizen, you will be staggered at the low cost of obtaining a college / University education for them. About ten years ago, my three college-bound children cost me well under $10,000 per annum per child and they all received an outstanding Higher Education. That was a ‘soup to nuts’ cost which included Tuition, room and board and some spending money. That annual amount has about doubled for 2025 (keep in mind that the cost of ROOMS for any student can now be exorbitant depending on the location). But back in the late 1990s / early 2000’s, that small sum applied to almost any publicly funded University across Ireland. In fact, this small cost compared to US colleges / Universities still applies to almost all the institutes of Higher Education in Ireland. It does not include private colleges. (Most children and parents avoid Private Colleges at all costs. In Ireland, Private Colleges – most of them – are Schools of Last Resort). But think about it! If your child gets in, they can go to colleges / Universities like Trinity, the NUI system, the Universities of Cork or Limerick, Athlone College, and many technical colleges for – compared to the United States – a reasonable price: a price most people can afford. Yes, most students work and many still have to take out loans (just like US students). The only cost problem today is finding affordable housing near students’ colleges / Universities. Dublin and most major cities are out of reach to many parents or students even for a very small ‘flat’ or a shared apartment. If, of course, you can find any vacancies. On-campus housing continues to be in short supply.)

·        HUGE Health Benefits – prior to receiving your Irish Government Pension, you can go to Hospital for virtually nothing! That’s right! While many Irish Citizens choose to buy Private Health Insurance, Irish Citizens have access to a Public Healthcare System that is first rate. While you may have to wait for many kinds of surgeries or other health interventions (a hip replacement, an MRI or similar), visits to hospitals and many types of Surgeries and similar interventions are FREE. (Note that Dental Visits and procedures are not covered by the Irish Pubic Healthcare System. Also, some ‘advanced procedures’ are not yet available in Ireland and some will never be available. Depending on a patient’s Health Problem, they are often advised to go abroad to seek the health procedure that they require).

·        ‘High’ Levels of Taxation – or Not? – if you decide to live and work in Ireland, be prepared for something of a shock. It seems we Irish are taxed on almost everything except air and water. And I mean everything! The government even charges for Television and Radio reception. It’s called a ‘TV License’ that costs about $200 per annum (as of the date of this writing, the Irish Government is considering stopping this tax due to overwhelming dissatisfaction by Irish Citizens). Mind you, people who receive a government pension no longer have to pay for that ridiculous license fee. However, what I’ve found is that in many cases, Citizens of the United States pay as much or even more in tax (Federal, State, Property, Sales, Water, and in some cases City taxes) than the Irish do. Too, Americans – when they retire – don’t seem to be entitled to as much government assistance as they are in Ireland. The Irish pay a ‘Federal Tax’ (PRSI), Social Security Tax (PRSI), a ‘Universal’ Tax, and VAT (Value Added Tax which is like a US State Tax only often much higher). Yes, the Irish are taxed to the hilt! But today, most US Citizens are also taxed to the hilt! Make certain that you conduct extensive research and visit Ireland prior to moving there. That’s the only way you can truly discover if you will enjoy your new life.

Retiring in Ireland

            But let’s say that you don’t have close Irish ancestry. I’ve talked to many US Citizens who dream of living and working in Ireland, and one day becoming Irish Citizens. The problem now is that the laws in Ireland regarding Work Visas and obtaining Irish Citizenship are being further restricted. If you’re an EU national, married to an Irish person or, as above, are a child of an Irish Parent or Grandparent, it’s usually no problem. However, if you’re not it’s still possible. As an example: if you wish to retire in Ireland you must be financially independent (and prove that you will never become a financial burden to the Irish government). Under current law, you must have an individual (proven) income of €50,000 per annum. Applying for this ‘retirement Visa’ can be a long and somewhat complicated process. But if you do receive this Visa, you can live in Ireland. For more information go to https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-retire-to-ireland/

Other Methods of Working and Living in Ireland

            U.S. Citizens can apply for a Work visa and, if receiving it, can live and work in Ireland. This can be a complicated and time-consuming process. One way is to apply for a Critical Skills Employment Visa. First, go to https://workpermit.com/immigration/ireland/irish-critical-skills-occupations-list to see if a ‘critical job’ on that long list applies to you. If one does, then you may be in luck. You may have to contact a company in Ireland who is experiencing a skills shortage, who may have to apply for a Work Visa for you. If you – and they – prove that that company has a skills shortage in an area that is critical to their success, and if you can prove that your skillset, background and education matches their employment ‘need’, then you will receive that Visa.

Can’t Live or Work in Ireland? Then Visit!
Experience the Magical Beauty of Ireland and its People

If you can’t get Irish / EU Citizenship, why not simply visit? For over 43 years, I’ve had the pleasure of living and working in Ireland. I love it when I see tourists (and foreign nationals visiting their relatives) come to these welcoming shores. This magical country continues to stagger our many visitors: the welcoming nature of the Irish; the beauty of the country from coast to coast; the sunsets and sunrises; the peace and tranquility that visitors find in many areas, especially the coastal areas of this country; the mighty Craic of our welcoming pubs.

If you visit, the first thing you might hear from the lips of an Irish citizen is: Céad mile failte: “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes.” The Irish always welcome visitors to this small island that’s shaped like a Teddy Bear. It’s in their nature.

Good luck on your applications should you decide to make one and a hearty Céad mile failte from me! Who knows, because I’m both Irish and American, I just might see you in Eyeries Village, County Cork, where I will always call home, and we’ll buy each other a Pint and toast Ireland and the United States together! Slán abhaile!