From 22 July 2025, Irish nationals will benefit from reduced fees, relaxed requirements and a simplified application procedure under the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024.
Although Irish citizens have the right to live and work in the UK without restriction (except in very limited circumstances) under the Common Travel Area agreement, until now the process of obtaining British citizenship was the same as for other nationalities.
Who can apply under the new rules?
Irish citizens living in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man will be able to apply for British citizenship under this new, easier route.
An Irish citizen will be able to register as a British citizen under Section 4AA British Nationality Act 1981 (as amended) where:
- They can show they have been living in the UK for the previous five years
- They were in the UK exactly five years before the date of application
- During the five years, they have not been in breach of immigration laws
- They are of ‘good character’
- Their absences do not exceed:
- 450 days in the previous five years
- 90 days in the previous 12 months
What are the changes?
- The application fee is 50% lower than for other nationalities at £723 for adults and £607 for children (fee waivers are available for children)
- There is no requirement to pass the Life in the UK test
If a residence requirement is not met, the Secretary of State has discretion to treat them as having met the requirement based on the “special circumstances of a particular case”.
Why have these changes been introduced?
Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, people resident in Northern Ireland are entitled to both British and Irish citizenship. However, the same was not the case for those born in Ireland but living in Northern Ireland or mainland UK. The British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 introduces a new and simplified registration process for Irish citizens to remedy this.
Although census data shows that the number of Irish citizens living in England and Wales is falling, it is estimated that approximately 30,000 Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland and more than 200,000 living in mainland UK stand to benefit from the legislation.