The pace of change in Irish immigration and citizenship law and policy over the past two years has been considerable.
Against that background, the latest proposed changes to Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1956 (as amended) are particularly significant. The Minister for Justice has secured approval for the priority drafting of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026, with the legislation expected to progress on an accelerated basis.
The proposed reforms include significant changes to statutory criteria for a naturalisation application, including an increase in the general reckonable residence requirement from five years to eight years, together with proposed language and civics requirements and changes relating to financial self-sufficiency.
The Bill has not been drafted yet, so we await publication of the draft. The current statutory criteria for an application for naturalisation as an Irish citizen therefore continue to apply and the usual legislative process will be carried out before any amendments come into force.
The proposed citizenship reforms do not stand alone. They form part of a much wider programme of change to Ireland’s immigration system.
The Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy has been subject to significant review and amendment in the past two years. The Revised Policy Document on Non EEA Family Reunification was published in November 2025 in circumstances where no changes had been made to that policy since 2016. The revised policy maintains routes for immediate family members of Irish citizens and eligible non-EEA residents, but places greater emphasis on financial capacity and introduces stricter limits in relation to certain other family members. The Policy Document was amended again on 12th June 2026 to include further restrictions on capacity to sponsor a family member, for example.
Perhaps the most significant legislative development in the international protection sphere has been the International Protection Act 2026, which commenced on 12 June 2026. The Act gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and represents a fundamental restructuring of Ireland’s international protection system, including new screening and registration procedures, enhanced identity and security checks and changes to the processing and appeals framework.
The Government has also introduced further measures affecting people who hold temporary protection in Ireland, including those displaced from Ukraine, as Ireland prepares for the eventual transition from the EU Temporary Protection framework.
Taken together, these developments demonstrate just how quickly Irish immigration law and policy is changing. We are seeing amendments to legislation, revised policies, changing administrative policy and significant shifts in the interpretation and application of immigration policies, often within relatively short periods.
For individuals and families navigating the Irish immigration system, the practical consequences can be considerable. A person who was eligible to make an application under one set of rules may find that the position has changed by the time they apply.
This is particularly important in the context of citizenship. Where an individual is already eligible to apply under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, delaying an application could potentially mean facing a substantially different set of requirements if the proposed legislation is enacted. Please be advised that the final legislation may be significantly different as the proposals are considered further by our legislators.
