Moving to Ireland
Why Ireland?
Ireland and the US have a fascinating shared history, and 1 in 10 Americans can trace their ancestry to the Emerald Isle (approximately 30 million people). It should come as no surprise that Ireland is a popular destination for Americans who move to Europe.
Ireland is an English-speaking country and is only six hours from the East Coast of the United States, making it a convenient choice for many Americans; but Ireland has much more to offer than just logistical convenience.
Ireland is a sophisticated modern country with excellent social protections and a friendly culture. Ireland is becoming the tech capital of Europe, with 16 of the top 20 global tech companies located in Dublin or Cork. If you want to obtain employment in Europe, Ireland is an excellent place to start your job search.
Ireland has thousands of castles to explore, villages to stroll, and unforgettable rolling green hills that are sure to inspire.
Ireland and the United States both allow dual citizenship.
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Ireland is in the European Union
Why is that important?
Countries within the European Union (EU) offer an extraordinary level of freedom and mobility. Under the EU’s freedom of movement rules, citizens of one member state can live and work in any other EU country (plus Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland) without the need for a visa. In practical terms, this means that Irish citizens can move seamlessly to France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, or any other EU member state without restriction. For Americans who become EU Long-Term Residents in Ireland, moving to another EU country is also possible through a simplified and streamlined process.
How Can I Move to Ireland?
You can move to Ireland with a Long-Stay Visa
This is the most common pathway for Americans seeking to move to Ireland. A visa is official authorization that allows you to live, work, and/or study in another country. Most visas are issued for a period of one (1) year and can be renewed as long as you continue to meet the visa's requirements. Without a visa, U.S. citizens can only visit Ireland for tourism for up to 90 days, but cannot remain long-term, establish residency, or work.
How do Long-Stay Visas work?
You must apply for a visa and submit detailed documentation demonstrating that you meet the qualifications for the specific category you are seeking. This process can be time-consuming and complex, which is why many people choose to work with Geostrata so they can remain focused on their careers, families, and daily lives.
Most visas have a shared set of basic requirements. You must have enough income to cover your cost of living during your stay. The amount of income (and what kind of income) differs depending on your situation. You will also need to show proof of accommodation, which may be a leased apartment, a hosting arrangement with family or friends, or a home you own. Once you arrive in Ireland, you must register with the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) within 90 days to apply for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card.
Geostrata has deep expertise across the full range of visa pathways available to Americans. We carefully evaluate your background, objectives, and timeline to identify the option best suited to your circumstances. Our services are offered in multiple tiers, ranging from focused coaching sessions and customized step-by-step guidance to comprehensive, full-service white-glove relocation support.
Types of Long-Stay Visas
Ireland Offers Many Options for Americans
Whether you are looking to work, study, invest, or simply embrace a new chapter, Ireland offers a range of visa options to help make your move possible. The following could be eligible for a Long-Stay Visa:
- Full-time college students or recent graduates*
- Startup founders and entrepreneurs
- People who are hired to work at an Irish company
- Researchers and scientists
- Investors
- Interns
- Skilled workers
- Visiting academics
- Retirees
- Students
- Volunteers (temporary)
- And more!
*The US and Ireland have a working holiday agreement. You do not need a visa for a working holiday. More information below.
Spotlight: Ireland's Working Holiday
For college students and recent graduates
Ireland and the US have a working holiday agreement. This exciting opportunity allows full-time college students and recent college graduates to travel to Ireland visa-free, experience the culture, and work for a period of 12 months or less. You can reapply for another working holiday permit in the future if you are still eligible.
Obtaining a job in a European country can be difficult, especially for young people who do not have specialized skills or professional experience. Additionally, most non-lucrative visas require you to have a substantial amount of money to apply. That is why Ireland's working holiday program is such an outstanding opportunity.
You can travel to Ireland without a substantial amount of money, find a job, support your adventures, and have experiences that would not be possible at home.
The basic requirements:
You must submit a bank statement showing that you have access to at least $1,500. This is to show that you have enough money to support yourself for at least the first part of your holiday. You must have a return airline ticket (proving your intent to return home). You must submit a certificate of medical/travel insurance valid for the duration of the trip (based on the dates on your airline tickets).
It is not necessary to have confirmed employment in Ireland before applying or before traveling to Ireland.
Spotlight: Ireland's Retirement Visa
For financially self-sufficient people
Spend your golden years exploring villages, castles, and pubs while enjoying a lower cost of living. Ireland is a safe, sophisticated, and beautiful English-speaking country, making it the perfect destination for American retirees.
Ireland's location is ideal for your new global footprint. You can get to most of Europe's most popular destinations in a matter of a few hours on affordable European airlines, or enjoy the significantly shorter flight time back to the US to visit family and friends (if you can manage to convince them not to visit you in Ireland!)
To qualify, you must be able to support yourself without working in Ireland. You must submit financial records that show your annual income is at least €50,000 from sources outside of Ireland. You must also have access to a lump sum of cash to cover any sudden or emergency expenses.
Spotlight: Ireland's "Golden Visa" (Investor Visa)
For Investors and High-Net-Worth Individuals
The official name for this visa is "The Immigrant Investor Programme" (IIP). To qualify for the IIP, you must have net worth of €2 million.
There are four types of qualifying investments:
- Enterprise Investment: you must invest a minimum of €1 million into an Irish enterprise for a period of at least three (3) years.
- Investment Fund: You must invest a minimum of €1 million into an approved investment fund for a period of at least three (3) years. Such funds must be approved and regulated by the Central Bank.
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): You must invest a minimum of €2 million in any Irish REIT that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, for a period of at least three (3) years.
- Endowment: a minimum €500,000 (or €400,000 where 5 or more applications are received) philanthropic donation to a project which is of public benefit to the arts, sports, health, culture, or education in Ireland.
While unattainable for most, the IIP is an excellent option for high-net-worth individuals who wish to diversify their asset portfolio while securing residency in Ireland.
EU Long-Term Residency and Citizenship
EU Long-Term Residency
EU Long-Term Residency
EU Long-Term Residency
EU Long-Term Residency is the next step for most Americans after living in Ireland for five (5) years. EU Long-Term Residency allows you to live in Ireland permanently without any restrictions. You can apply for any job, attend any university, and utilize social benefits like Ireland's universal healthcare system. Your immediate family can accompany you and enjoy these benefits as well. If you want to move to another EU country, you can do so through a simplified procedure designed exclusively for EU Long-Term Residents.
Irish Citizenship
EU Long-Term Residency
EU Long-Term Residency
Irish citizenship is the ultimate goal of many of Geostrata's clients. Irish citizenship is also EU citizenship, so you can live and work in 27 European countries with no restrictions. The Irish passport is one of the most powerful on earth, ranked at number five, six positions higher than the US passport. To become eligible to be naturalized as an Irish citizen, you need to live in Ireland for 5 years and meet a set of additional requirements.
Ways to Obtain Irish Citizenship
Naturalization, Ancestry, and Marriage.
Americans typically obtain Irish citizenship by naturalization, ancestry, or marriage.
We mentioned naturalization above. To be eligible, you must live in Ireland for a period of at least five years and demonstrate that you are of good character.
If your parents, grandparents, or great-grand parents were Irish citizens at the time of your birth, you might be eligible for Irish citizenship through ancestry.
Obtaining Irish citizenship through marriage is straightforward. You must be married to an Irish citizen for at least three years and live in Ireland for three years before applying.