Ireland

Ireland, often referred to as the “Emerald Isle,” is a land renowned for its enchanting landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cities. Beyond its picturesque beauty and historic charm, Ireland offers a high quality of life and an inviting environment for residents and expatriates alike. In this introduction, we will highlight the key aspects of living in Ireland that make it an appealing destination for people from around the world.

The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) offers a unique avenue for non-EEA (European Economic Area) nationals to obtain immigration permission in Ireland through substantial long-term investments in pre-approved projects, as sanctioned by the Department of Justice and various other Government entities.

Introduced by the Irish Government in 2012, the IIP serves as a proactive initiative aimed at fostering inward investment, stimulating the establishment of businesses, and creating employment prospects within the country. This carefully crafted program seeks to entice investors and business professionals hailing from outside the European Economic Area to explore the opportunities presented by investing in Ireland, thereby facilitating the growth of their business interests while securing a coveted residency status in the country.

There are many major advantages that come with enrolling in the program. Let’s take a look at some of these advantages.

• You can carry an Irish passport.
• You can live and work in Ireland without restriction.
• You can vote in a general election, constitutional referendum or presidential election.
• You can be elected to government in Ireland and in the European Union.
• You can live, travel and work within the European Union.
• You can enjoy fundamental rights as set out in the Irish Constitution.
• You can access free education.
• You can vote in Irish and European elections.
• You can receive diplomatic assistance abroad from an Irish or EU embassy.
• You can travel without a visa to 170 countries.
• You can live, work, or study in Ireland or the UK with no restrictions.
• You can live, work, or study in any EU/EEA country with no restrictions.
• You can get or retain citizenship of another country without losing Irish citizenship.
• You can bring a spouse to the UK or other EEA country under the EEU regulations.

• You are eligible to apply for participation in the IIP if:
• You possess a reputable and upstanding character.
• You do not have a history of criminal convictions in any jurisdiction.
• Your minimum net worth amounts to €2 million.
• You express a genuine interest in investing in one of the four eligible investment options mentioned previously.
• It’s important to note that the Minister for Justice retains the authority to introduce updated guidelines as necessary to ensure the IIP’s effective, transparent, and accountable operation. Additionally, applicants and sponsors should be aware that the Department of Justice is enhancing its due diligence processes, which encompass Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Client (KYC), Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), and sanction checks.

The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) presents four distinct investment pathways for prospective investors:

• Enterprise Investment: A commitment of at least €1 million into an Irish enterprise, with a requirement to maintain this investment for a minimum of three years.
• Investment Fund: A minimum investment of €1 million directed into an approved investment fund, with the stipulation that the selected fund must hold approval and regulation by the Central Bank. The investment should be held for a minimum period of three years.
• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): An investment of a minimum of €2 million in any Irish REIT listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, with a mandatory three-year holding period.
• Endowment: A philanthropic donation of at least €500,000 (or €400,000 when five or more applications are received) toward a project contributing to the public benefit in the realms of arts, sports, health, culture, or education within Ireland.

• How long does an application take?

Applications take on average three to four months although they may take longer if the Evaluation

Committee require more information from an applicant.

• What is the minimum time I must spend in Ireland to adhere to the rules of the programme?

The applicant must spend a minimum of 1 day per calendar year in Ireland.

• What kind of personal net assets are acceptable for participating in the Irish Programme?

Assets that have been acquired legally through legitimate business and commercial activity,

inheritance, endowment and/or divorce. Applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum

personal net worth of €2million.

• Are assets owned by my spouse acceptable as proof of €2 million net worth?

No, assets solely owned by other individuals, including a spouse, will be not accepted as evidence

of net worth.

• If I get married or have a child after receiving the residency, can I add them as my dependants?

Yes the investor can add additional nuclear family members (spouse and dependent children

under 24) to the permission. Documentary evidence of the marriage and/or birth will be required.

• What is the refund policy if my application is refused?

There is no refund on application fees of €1,500.

• Can I work, study or travel in any other EU member state?

Ireland can only issue permissions for residence in this State. You should check the residence requirements of other EU member states with the relevant immigration authority.

• Can I use the money gifted to me by a parent or other relative for an investment?

Yes, provided it has been obtained legally and can be legally transferred and the applicant can

demonstrate a net worth of at least €2m.

• Can I use retained earnings as investment or money coming from funds in a joint account?

Yes, provided you have authority to transfer that money into the proposed investment.

Make Ireland your second home 

Visa-Free Countries

5,149,139

POPULATION
US$101,509
GDP (per capita)
US$124,596
GDP (purchasing power parity)

CAPITAL CITY
Dublin
TIME ZONE
UTC+1 (Irish Standard Time)
TOTAL AREA
84,421 km2 
LANGUAGES
English (official), Irish (official), Ulster Scots (regional)
CURRENCY
Euro €
MAIN INDUSTRY
Services (high-tech, life sciences, financial services, and agribusiness)
SCHENGEN/ EU
Member

KEY ADVANTAGES

• Quality of life: Ireland is consistently ranked as one of the best countries in the world to live in.
• Economic opportunities: Ireland has a strong economy with low unemployment and high wages.
• Education system: Ireland has a world-class education system.

PROGRAM MATCH

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Disclaimer
The materials contained in this page are provided for general information purposes only and are not intended to provide legal or other professional advice. Processing times and costs will vary depending on a number of factors. CitizenMatch is not responsible for any changes to the time and cost estimates; we can provide specific information on an individual basis. All rights reserved.