Ireland weighs tougher citizenship rules on language and residency
Ireland is considering new regulations that would require citizenship applicants to prove English or Irish language skills and to have lived in the country for eight years. The rules have not yet been confirmed.
Irish authorities are reviewing proposed regulations that would significantly change the path to citizenship for people applying to become Irish nationals.
Language requirement
Under the potential new rules, applicants would need to demonstrate proficiency in either English or Irish before they could be granted citizenship.
Longer residency period
Alongside the language condition, applicants would also be required to have lived in Ireland for eight years prior to applying — a longer qualifying period than is common in many other countries offering naturalisation.
Details still unclear
The source report does not specify the reasoning behind the proposed changes, a timeline for when they might take effect, or whether any exemptions would apply to particular groups of applicants. It is also not yet clear whether these regulations have been formally adopted or remain under consideration as part of Ireland's ongoing policymaking process.
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