Ireland Residency Program – The Irish Golden Visa
The Ireland residence by investment program was first introduced in 2012. It took time for the program to pick up, but since 2016 it has experienced a boom, with more than a thousand applicants getting approved each year. Approved applicants receive temporary residence totaling 5 years, after which they become eligible for permanent residence and Irish citizenship. The Irish passport is one of the world’s best, providing visa-free travel to the U.S. and freedom of movement across Europe. Ireland provides non-domiciled with taxation based on remittance, which is financially advantageous for wealthy foreigners.
Location
Europe
Population
4.8 million
Capital
Dublin
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Irish, English
Investment Amounts
Immigrant Investor Programme – Real Estate Investment Trust
| Investment amount | 2m EUR; 50% can be withdrawn after 3 years, 25% in the 4th and the 25% in the 5th year |
| Application fees | 1,500 EUR |
Immigrant Investor Programme – Endowment
| Investment amount | 500,000 EUR donation to a philanthropic cause |
| Application fees | 1,500 EUR |
Application Process
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STAGE 1: Month 1
Gather documents and submit the investor visa application, along with the application fees. The investor is required to submit a plan detailing the investment to the Evaluation Committee.
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STAGE 2: Month 3
The Evaluation Committee sends an approval in principle letter. The applicant is required to complete the investment.
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STAGE 3: Month 4
The residence permit is issued for a length of 2 years, to be renewed for one year with a length of 3 years, then 5 years.
Benefits
- Can deduct 50,000 EUR for education purposes
- Physical presence requirement of only 1 day a year
- You can apply for citizenship after 5 years
- Applicants can bring their children up to 25 years old
- Right to travel within the Schengen area
Requirements
- Provide a police report
- Possess private health insurance
- Net worth of 2m EUR
- Maintain investment for renewals
How to get permanent residence in Ireland
To get permanent residence in Ireland, you must first hold a temporary residence permit for 5 years. You must also prove that you earn enough money to be self-sufficient. You can also qualify for citizenship after 5 years but you will need to physically be present in Ireland for at least 1,825 or 1,826 days over the last 9 years.
That said, you need to gain temporary residence in Ireland first. If you are able to find employment in Ireland, you will be able to apply for a residence permit. Otherwise, the easiest way if you are a business person is to either apply as an entrepreneur or as an investor.
Ireland Immigrant Entrepreneur Residence Program
For high-potential start-ups in the innovation economy, applicants must have secured funding of a minimum of EUR 50,000 from one or a combination of the following sources: their own resources, a business loan, business angel/venture capital funding, or a grant from an Irish State Agency.
The scheme is not intended for retail, personal services, catering or other businesses of this nature. While each application will have to be considered on its own merits, the types of businesses intended for this programme are those that are part of the innovation economy, in areas of high potential growth in the future. The state agencies will play a key role in evaluating the suitability of proposed business proposals for the programme.
The application process can take 6–8 months. If you get approved you will receive a 2-year temporary residence permit. You can renew it after 2 years with a 3-year permit. Even if your business doesn’t succeed and you are sent off the entrepreneur programme you can easily get a work permit after that.
Ireland Immigrant Investor Residence Programme
The Ireland IIP is a residence-by-investment programme. It is for people with a net worth above EUR 2M. It offers 4 investment options:
EUR 1,000,000 in investment funds to be held for at least 3 years which have been approved for the purposes of the Immigrant Investor Programme by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. All funds have to be invested in Ireland and must represent equity stakes in Irish registered companies that are not quoted on any stock exchange. Secondly, the funds and fund managers will have to be regulated by the Central Bank to conduct business in Ireland. Thirdly, only fund managers with an established record of managing regulated funds will be accepted to manage funds in Ireland.
EUR 500,000 endowment in a project of public benefit in the arts, sports, health, cultural or educational field. The endowment should be regarded as a philanthropic contribution with a clear public benefit. Investors will receive no financial return or recoupment of the principal.
EUR 1,000,000 enterprise investment to be held for at least 3 years, either a single Irish enterprise or spread over a number of enterprises for a minimum of 3 years. The enterprise may be a start-up established by the investor or an existing business registered in Ireland. The enterprise must be registered and headquartered in Ireland and the investment must support the creation or maintenance of employment
EUR 1,000,000 investment in an Irish Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. The investment may be spread across a number of different Irish REITs. A REIT is a listed company used to hold rental investment properties. It is a globally recognised standard for investment in rental property assets. After 3 years, 50% of the investment can be withdrawn, with the remaining 50% to be withdrawn on the 4th and 5th year equally.
You can deduct EUR 50,000 from the investment for education. The application process can take 3–4 months. If you get approved you will receive a 2-year temporary residence permit. You can renew it after 2 years with a 3-year permit.
If you are interested in Citizenship or Residency by investment
Click to the Global Residence Index homepage to learn more.
Need help?
Navigating through golden visa & citizenship by investment programs can be complex and overwhelming, regardless of the country or program you’re interested in. If you’re struggling to find clear, accurate information, you’re not alone. Our team is here to offer you clarity and reliable advice across a wide range of immigration programs.
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