Ireland is considering legislation that would increase the qualifying residence period for naturalisation from five to eight years and introduce language, civic-knowledge and financial self-sufficiency requirements for citizenship applicants.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan is expected to present the proposals to the Cabinet on Wednesday and seek approval for the priority drafting of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026.
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If approved by the Cabinet, the draft legislation would be published and referred to the Irish Parliament’s justice committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. The proposals must still pass through the legislative process before becoming law.
Under the proposed reforms, most foreign nationals seeking Irish citizenship by naturalisation would be required to have lived legally in Ireland for eight years, compared with the present five-year requirement.
Applicants would also be required to demonstrate proficiency in English, Irish or Irish Sign Language and show sufficient knowledge and understanding of Irish society, politics and civic life.
The proposed legislation would empower the Justice Minister to set an income threshold that applicants must meet as evidence of financial self-sufficiency. It would also restrict eligibility where an applicant has received specified social-protection payments during a defined period before submitting an application.
Reports indicate that the new eight-year requirement could apply to migrants already living in Ireland who have not submitted naturalisation applications before the legislation comes into force. However, the years they have already legally resided in the country would reportedly count towards the proposed eight-year period.
O’Callaghan defended the proposed extension, describing it as reasonable and arguing that citizenship is a privilege rather than an automatic right.
The minister said the proposed language requirement was intended to promote integration and bring Ireland’s naturalisation system closer to the practices adopted by other European Union countries.
The reforms would also affect foreign nationals married to or in civil partnerships with Irish citizens. Such applicants could be required to live with their Irish spouses or partners in Ireland for five years before becoming eligible for citizenship, replacing the current three-year route.
The proposed qualifying period would reportedly include two years of continuous residence immediately before an application and three years of residence during the preceding five years.
Another provision would create a distinct legal ground for revoking naturalised citizenship on national-security or public-order grounds. The bill is also expected to establish a streamlined procedure for dealing with citizenship revocation cases.
Applicants who commit immigration offences before or during the naturalisation process could also be disqualified, while the minister would retain responsibility for determining whether applicants satisfy the statutory conditions.
Migrant and civil-rights organisations have criticised the proposals, warning that the longer waiting period, language tests and financial conditions could create substantial barriers for migrants who have already established their lives in Ireland.
The groups argued that excluding applicants who relied on welfare because of illness, unemployment or hardship could unfairly prevent otherwise qualified residents from obtaining citizenship.
The proposals are part of the Irish Government’s wider attempt to tighten its immigration and naturalisation system. They remain subject to Cabinet approval, parliamentary scrutiny and enactment before they can take legal effect.
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