Ireland is situated in Northern Europe, right next to the United Kingdom (UK), and is a member of the European Union (EU).
Since 2012, Ireland has been on the radar of investors eager to capitalize on the benefits of investing in an English-speaking country with a booming economic environment.
The Republic of Ireland has an exceptionally resilient economy, low unemployment rates, stable economic growth, and outstanding investment potential. Likewise, the nation has the third-freest economy in the world, making conducting business in Ireland easier than anywhere else.
So, if you are interested in how to get Irish citizenship by investment and enjoy the advantages of the EU and the United Kingdom, read this article until the end.
The Process of Getting Irish Citizenship by Investment
First and foremost, it is essential to note that Ireland does not have a direct route to citizenship by investment. There is a but.
They offer Irish residency through the Ireland Immigrant Investor Program (IIP), which allows you and your family to live and work in the country indefinitely.
While the IIP does not automatically lead you to citizenship, you gain residency, which you can subsequently use to support your application for an Irish passport.
To be considered for Irish citizenship, you must physically reside in Ireland for at least 12 months prior to the application. In addition, you must be a resident of Ireland for four out of five preceding years before the citizenship application date.
However, before arriving at this point, you must acquire permanent residency as set out in the Irish Immigrant Investor Program.
Ireland’s Immigrant Investor Program: Requirements, Eligibility Criteria, and Benefits
The Irish Immigrant Investor Program is designed for high net worth individuals with a personal wealth of at least €2 million.
Investment Requirements
The Irish Immigrant Investor Program offers four investment routes for potential investors as presented in the table below:
| Investment Options | Description | Amount |
| Enterprise Investment | Investment in Irish enterprise for a minimum of 3 years |
€1 million |
| Investment Fund |
Investment in approved and regulated investment funds for a period of 3 years |
€1 million |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) |
Investment in Irish REIT listed on the Irish Stock Exchange |
€2 million |
| Endowment |
Donation to a qualifying philanthropic project |
A minimum of €500,000 |
Investors should be aware that the funds used for an investment must not be borrowed or financed through a loan (the capital needs to be from your own resources.)
Click here to read more about the Irish Investor Visa.
Who Can Apply?
The IIP is aimed at nationals from non-EEA countries seeking to invest in the Irish economy in exchange for residency and potential citizenship in the future.
Apart from having to prove a minimum net worth of €2 million, investors must also have no criminal offenses in any jurisdiction, be of good character and have the required investment amount to pursue one of the four options.
The Irish government also reserves the right to perform additional character vetting, including anti-money laundering (AML), know your client (KYC), politically exposed persons (PEPs), and sanction checks.
Note: at the time of writing, nationals of the Russian Federation are suspended from applying for this visa.
Benefits of the Irish Investor Program
The IIP is a straightforward way that can open doors to the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Let us walk you through the key benefits of the Irish Investor Visa/permanent residency:
1. Secure and Low-Risk Investment
Ireland tops the rankings of the world’s economic indexes as being one of the fastest growing Eurozone economies in the world. The country not only has an excellent infrastructure but also is a technology, innovation, and research hub.
Ireland also has double taxation agreements with over 70 nations and a 12.5% corporate tax rate – one of the lowest in the world. With such robust indicators, Ireland is a great, low-risk investment option for investors looking for a politically and economically stable environment to do business.
2. Leading Education System
Ireland has an excellent primary, secondary, and high school education system. It is home to some of the best universities in the world, such as Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin.
3. Inclusion of Immediate Family Members
As part of the application, investors can include their immediate family members and financially dependent children under the age of 24.
4. Path to Irish Citizenship After 5 Years of Residency
If you fulfill all the conditions, you can apply for Irish citizenship, which will enable you to enjoy a broader range of advantages and benefit significantly from access to the EU and the United Kingdom.
Why Irish Investor Visa Is a Fantastic Choice for Accessing the EU and UK
If you apply for the IIP program and, after five years of residency, decide to apply for an Irish passport, you automatically gain the right to live, work, and access public services in the EU and the UK.
Following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, getting access to Britain proved to be more complicated.
However, the Irish and British governments have reinforced a special agreement, known as the Common Travel Area Agreement, which treats Irish citizens like British nationals.
According to the UK Parliament,
“Irish nationals have a special status in UK law which is separate to and pre-dates the rights they have as EU citizens.
In short, the Republic of Ireland is not considered to be a ‘foreign country’ for the purpose of UK laws, and Irish citizens are not considered to be ‘aliens.’ Furthermore, Irish citizens are treated as if they have permanent immigration permission to remain in the UK from the date they take up ‘ordinary residence’ here.”
This is excellent news for investors looking to invest, reside and apply for Irish citizenship, as they will be given an automatic right to live, work and access the EU and UK markets.
Conclusion
Irish Investor Visa presents a one-of-a-kind investment opportunity in a stable and economically prosperous country. It also provides unique access to the EU and the UK that no other residency-by-investment or citizenship-by-investment program does.
If you require advice and application guidance on the Irish Immigrant Investor Program, talk to our highly experienced team, who can consult you and help clear any doubts you may have.
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Related resources:
- Ireland Offers the Best Golden Visa Program - Here’s Why
- The Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK
- What Are the Top 5 FAQ About Education in Ireland?
