Citizenship Bill 2026: what would change
The Government's proposed changes to Irish citizenship law, compared with the law today.
Status: General Scheme (a draft outline) published 21 September 2026. Not law yet: current rules still apply. The Bill must pass the Dáil and Seanad, and the Minister then sets the start date(s).
| Topic | Now | Proposed |
|---|---|---|
| Residence needed to apply | 5 years | 8 years |
| Income and welfare test | None | Minimum income; no listed welfare or housing supports in the last 2 years; no State debts |
| Language test | None | English, Irish or Irish Sign Language |
| Civics test | None | Knowledge of Irish civics |
| Immigration offences | Weighed under “good character” | Any listed offence = lifetime bar |
| While your application is processed | No rule | Must keep meeting character, income and offence conditions and keep living here |
| Spouses / civil partners of Irish citizens | 3 years married + 3 years' residence | 5 + 5 years, plus language, civics and offence conditions |
| Waivers | Minister may waive conditions for some groups | New waiver for language and civics only; good character never waivable |
| Time that doesn't count | Unlawful stay, students, asylum seekers | Also temporary protection (Ukraine), some EU Treaty Rights time, anything the Minister adds |
| Children born in Ireland | Fixed list of parent's time that doesn't count | Same list as for naturalisation, including future additions |
| Revoking citizenship | 5 grounds | 6th ground: “public policy, public order or national security” |
| Start date | — | Set by the Minister, possibly different dates for different parts |
Left to the Minister to decide later (by regulation)
- The minimum income figure
- Which welfare payments and housing supports count against you
- Language level, civics content, how tests work, who is exempt
- Extra types of temporary permission that won't count as residence
- Procedures for revocation inquiries
Words used on this site
- Naturalisation: becoming an Irish citizen by application.
- Reckonable residence: time in Ireland that counts towards citizenship.
- Prescribed: set later by the Minister in regulations.
- Head: a numbered part of the General Scheme.
- s.15(1)(c): section 15, subsection (1), paragraph (c) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956.
The legal text is shown in two columns: Now (the Act as in force) and Proposed (as it would read). Changed words are highlighted. Wording is copied exactly and checked against the official texts.