Eu Settlement — Ireland | CountryFactsHub

EU Settlement Scheme

Post-Brexit rights and settlement procedures for EU citizens in Ireland

EU Citizen Rights in Ireland

2026 Update: Ireland continues to uphold the EU's Free Movement Directive even after Brexit. EU/EEA citizens and their family members maintain the right to live, work, and study in Ireland without needing employment permits.

Common Travel Area (CTA)

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is a long-standing arrangement between the UK and Ireland that predates and operates separately from EU free movement rights.

Under the CTA, British citizens can continue to live, work, study, access healthcare and social welfare benefits, and vote in certain elections in Ireland without requiring any special permission.

EU Citizens in Ireland

EU/EEA citizens have the right to:

Live in Ireland without restrictions

Work without an employment permit

Study at Irish educational institutions

Access healthcare and social welfare

Start a business or be self-employed

Travel freely between EU countries

Registration Process for EU Citizens

While EU/EEA citizens do not need permission to live in Ireland, for stays longer than 90 days, they should:

Register Residence

If staying for more than 3 months, register your residence by contacting the Department of Justice.

Obtain PPS Number

Apply for a Personal Public Service (PPS) number for working, taxation, and accessing public services.

European Health Insurance Card

Ensure your EHIC is valid for healthcare access during initial settling period.

Permanent Residence

EU/EEA citizens who have lived legally in Ireland for at least 5 continuous years can apply for permanent residence status.

Benefits of Permanent Residence:

No longer subject to residency conditions

Enhanced protection against deportation

Step closer to citizenship eligibility

Right to be absent for up to 2 years without losing status

While permanent residence is automatic after 5 years, obtaining a Permanent Residence Certificate (EUFAM card) is recommended for administrative purposes.

Family Members of EU Citizens

Non-EU family members of EU citizens may need to apply for a residence card to stay in Ireland for more than 90 days.

Who Qualifies as a Family Member:

•Spouse or civil partner
•Direct descendants (children, grandchildren) under 21 or dependent
•Dependent direct relatives in the ascending line (parents, grandparents)
•Other dependent family members (case-by-case basis)

Brexit Impact on Irish Border

Northern Ireland Protocol

The Northern Ireland Protocol (now the Windsor Framework) ensures no hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, preserving the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.

Key Points:

•No passport checks at the Ireland-Northern Ireland border
•Freedom to cross the border for work, education, healthcare, and family visits
•Northern Ireland remains aligned with certain EU rules to avoid a hard border
•2026 Update: The Windsor Framework continues to be implemented with further streamlining of procedures