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Just this morning, I spoke with an Irish immigration lawyer and found out that I am eligible for Irish citizenship. The thing is, I live in Wales and have no intention of moving.
The question is, what, other than the psychological benefit of knowing that I am, once again, a citizen of the EU, might the benefits be? I should say right now that it is not yet clear if the rest of my family would be eligible for Irish citizenship, as my own comes through my mother. So I am asking what those of you who hold citizenship of Ireland or any other EU country find the benefits to be.
I know it may sound like an obvious question to many, as we are all hurting in the wake of the UK's departure from the EU, but in practical terms what difference might it make to me?
Basically, I am asking for other UK-EU dual nationals to give me a sales job on the benefits!
Ability to live and work anywhere you choose in the EU without any paperwork or hassle.
Fancy spending more than 90 days out of 180 in an EU country?
Does your job ever involve travelling in Europe?
I would like to think it would have no practical impact on your daily life other than giving you much easier travelling and working in Europe if you want it. It gives you options and those are always nice to have.
I'm going to apply for Swedish citizenship when I can, but I live here, so it would benefit me a lot.
I will have the option to retire to Spain.
I can declare EU citizenship to potential employers.
Maybe lots more that have not come to light yet.
Is your mum an Irish citizen?
She is, but only because of her grandfather, who was born in Dublin.
That's why I spoke to the Irish immigration lawyer. As I understood it, citizenship only extended to grandchildren. But apparently because my mum claimed Irish citizenship, it strengthens my own case to the point where the lawyers are saying my own application is virtually certain.
Depending what you mean by "through your mother" you might already be an Irish citizen. My sister was somewhat bemused to find she had lied on a security clearance form since she was automatically an Irish citizen since our father was born in Ireland.
You can get an Irish passport and so have better EU rights and, even if you dont plan on it for yourself, if you claim it then any children would also be able to claim it I think (speak to the lawyer) and so would keep their options open.
To be honest, you shouldn’t need an immigration lawyer. The Irish passport website has pretty clear explanations of how it works.
If your mum had Irish citizenship when you were born, then you’re automatically an Irish citizen. And your kids would be entitled as well. It depends on whether your mum’s citizenship was official.
If she only claimed it in later life, and it was through her grandparents, you might be in trouble.
Whether it’s handy for you is up to you. But I’d certainly be getting it for your kids - they’re not likely to see membership of the EU for another generation or so, if ever.
My only question is did the Irish immigration lawyer contact you or did you contact them? My suspicious mind makes me think its the next ambulance chasing scheme, but I hate lawyers.
If I had the option, I'd take it, for ease of travelling around Europe for work or pleasure.
Beaten to it!!
If your mother was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth you can claim citizenship via Foreign Births Register process. The Irish government website is quite good at explaining all this and you shouldn’t be paying a solicitor to expedite it (and the scheme is closed due to COVID atm )
https://www.dfa.ie/citizenship/
Benefits are easier travel and residency in EU etc, being Irish, potentially better odds if you’re on a plane that gets hijacked than as a uk citizen (unless it’s by the uvf in which case you’re screwed)
unless it’s by the uvf in which case you’re screwed
Vanishingly slim chance of that previously but these days, who knows... 😀
Means you will be finishing your second pint whilst your mrs has taken the walk of shame through the non EU passport checks and takes longer to clear customs (at least that's what I tell my mrs will happen if we ever get away again)
I am eligible and was going to start to process recently. But all of my travel is with my wife and kids, none of whom are eligible so it doesn't seem to be worth the cost for me just now. If I travelled solo then I would be all over it, so I would.
I’ve dual UK/Irish citizenship - born here but both parents born there. We registered my son when he was wee, so he's a citizen and can pass that on if he has children. Note that your children will not be able to be added as foreign births if you weren’t already a citizen when they were born.
As to advantages - I think the only one is the ability to live/work/travel in the EU with less trouble, but I don’t think that affects many people. When I was younger, the queues at Dover were shorter for non UK passports.
Disadvantage - a family member was recently rejected for an 'intelligence' role in the forces because he is a dual national - most other roles are open to him, however. And this restriction applies if either parent has citizenship of another country.
I am eligible and was going to start to process recently. But all of my travel is with my wife and kids, none of whom are eligible so it doesn’t seem to be worth the cost for me just now. If I travelled solo then I would be all over it, so I would.
Exactly same reasoning as me, although recently separated so now more of a factor I suppose
I'm more bothered about my son's opportunities, I'm only eligible for Irish passport through a grandma I never knew so my son might get a back door EU passport via my Scottish mum, if those two big constitutional things happen
But what colour would your Passport be?
A small credit card sized one that fits in my wallet (or burgundy for the full size one)
I am eligible and was going to start to process recently. But all of my travel is with my wife and kids, none of whom are eligible so it doesn’t seem to be worth the cost for me just now. If I travelled solo then I would be all over it, so I would.
If you bought a property abroad does it not mean your wife could stay there with you as she is married to an EU citizen. Plus if you are allowed one (passport) just now it might be better to get one as they may in future change the goalposts. Plus if you can get your kids them it may in future be the best thing you could get them with regards opportunities as adults
I'll be applying for it at some point, my sister already has, we qualify through my mum's parent's.
For me, honestly, mainly it's for the psychological benefit, and for being like Jason Bourne and having multiple passports. For my sister it's pretty much essential, as she's an academic living and working in Europe
I've looked into this as my maternal grandparents were Irish. My mum (born outside Ireland) got her Irish passport last year which was relatively simple, just involved getting birth/death certs and getting UK passport etc witnessed.
For me I'll have to go down the Foreign Births Register route, which seems fairly simple, though can take 12-18 months and costs €278, plus the passport cost. Doesn't need a lawyer to get involved.
I thought great-grandparents didn't count, but it may depend on whether OP's mum was Irish when he was born. This might be where the lawyer comes in useful.
Advantages: sitting having a coffee whilst my wife and kids wait in the non-EU line 😂.
Will also be able to spend longer than 3 months in the EU after retiring.
@kilo where did you see that applications are closed due to Covid?
@sgn23
Applications closed while Ireland is in Tier 5
I was looking into it last week, meant to apply a couple of years ago and didn't. All the info is there, so I'm going to have everything ready for when they open up again.
If you have or would like kids it's a no brainer, do it.
Madame has a colleague with French nationality whose daughter was for years elegible for French nationality and is now making a panic application because the day she turns 25 the chance is gone.
Take oportunities when you have them.