Acquisition of British Citizenship for Irish

July 21, 2025
|In LITIGATION
|By admin

On the 22nd of July 2025, the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024, which introduces section 4AA of the British Nationality Act 1981, will come into effect, implementing a simpler and cheaper process for Irish citizens of any age to apply for British citizenship. This act introduces a swifter application process for Irish citizens residing in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, avoiding obstacles that any other national would face.

One of the many simplified requirements in registration for the Irish includes a fee reduction to £723 for adults and £607 for children. As well as this, it is no longer necessary for the Irish to sit the Life in the UK test or display proof of knowledge of the English language, but they must still meet expectations such as:

  • Providing evidence of living in the UK for 5 years prior application.
  • Spending no more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5-year period before making the application.
  • Spending no more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12-month period before making the application.
  • Being of good character.
  • Avoiding breaching immigration laws during the 5-year qualifying period.

In special circumstances where a person does not meet one or more of the above requirements, discretion can be exercised by the Secretary of State.

A further benefit allows for the Irish citizenship to be maintained when applying for a British one. Therefore, being recognised as a national of both countries simultaneously.

The British National (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 has a direct link to the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement of 1998, which outlined relations between the UK and Ireland, as well as underpinning the birthright of the people of Northern Ireland to identify and be accepted as British, as well as Irish, and are entitled to be granted British citizenship. These rights are evidently now being expanded to citizens of the Republic of Ireland.

DUP Leader Gavin Robinson expresses his warm welcome of the act, explaining the impact and issues the absence of it had: “The Belfast Agreement sought to address issues of identity and whilst people living in Northern Ireland could avail of an Irish passport, there was no reciprocal arrangement in the other direction. Those born in the Republic of Ireland after 1948 needed to undertake a lengthy and costly process of applying to the Home Office for British citizenship”.

Do not hesitate to reach out for assistance with the acquisition of British Citizenship under the new British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024.

 

This article is provided  for general information only. It is not intended to be and cannot be relied upon as legal advice or otherwise. If you would like to discuss any of the matters covered in this article, please contact us using the contact form or email us on reception@cnsolicitors.com