Can You Hold Both a British and Irish Passport?
Yes. You can legally hold both a British and Irish passport at the same time. Both the United Kingdom and Ireland fully allow dual citizenship, meaning you do not have to give up one nationality to obtain the other.
This allows dual citizens to enjoy the rights, privileges, and freedoms of both nations — including full access to the UK and freedom of movement across the EU through Irish citizenship.
Who is Eligible for Dual British and Irish Citizenship?
There are multiple routes to holding both British and Irish citizenship, depending on your circumstances.
1. Birth or Descent
You may be eligible if:
- You were born in the UK or Ireland to a parent or grandparent who is a citizen of either country.
- You have an Irish parent or grandparent, allowing you to claim citizenship through the Foreign Births Register.
2. Residency
If you have lived legally in either country for a sufficient period, you can apply for naturalisation.
- British citizens may apply for Irish naturalisation after five years of residence in Ireland.
- Irish citizens may apply for British naturalisation after five years of residence in the UK.
3. Northern Ireland Residents
Under the Good Friday Agreement (1998), people born in Northern Ireland have the right to identify and be accepted as British, Irish, or both. This guarantees the right to hold dual citizenship and both passports.
Benefits of Holding Both British and Irish Passports
Dual citizenship between the UK and Ireland provides exceptional flexibility and access across Europe and the UK.
Key Advantages
- Full UK and EU Access: Irish citizenship restores EU rights lost after Brexit, allowing freedom of movement across all 27 EU member states.
- Voting Rights: You can vote in elections in both the UK and Ireland, depending on your residency.
- Healthcare and Social Benefits: Enjoy access to both the NHS in the UK and Ireland’s public healthcare system.
- Consular Protection: Access help from either UK or Irish embassies abroad.
- Simplified Travel: Travel freely within the Common Travel Area (CTA) — including the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man — without border checks.
Holding both passports gives you the best of both worlds: the benefits of EU membership and the privileges of UK residency.
Applying for an Irish Passport as a British Citizen
If you are a British citizen, there are several routes to Irish citizenship, which then allow you to apply for an Irish passport.
1. By Descent (Ancestry Route)
You can apply for Irish citizenship through descent if:
- You have a parent who was born in Ireland, or
- You have a grandparent born in Ireland.
If your grandparent was born in Ireland, you must first register on the Foreign Births Register before applying for a passport.
2. By Residency
You may apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation if you have:
- Lived in Ireland for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to an Irish citizen).
- Demonstrated “good character” and commitment to living in Ireland.
Once your Irish citizenship is granted, you can apply for an Irish passport through the Irish Passport Office or an Irish embassy or consulate.
3. By Birth in Northern Ireland
If you were born in Northern Ireland, you are automatically entitled to Irish citizenship under Irish law and may apply directly for an Irish passport.
Applying for a British Passport as an Irish Citizen
If you are an Irish citizen and wish to become a British citizen, there are several routes available.
1. Birth in the UK
If you were born in the UK to at least one British or settled parent, you may already be a British citizen by birth.
2. By Descent
If one of your parents or grandparents was a British citizen, you may qualify through citizenship by descent.
3. By Naturalisation
Irish citizens living in the UK can apply for British citizenship after five years of lawful residence (or three years if married to a British citizen).
Once citizenship is granted, you may apply for a British passport through His Majesty’s Passport Office.
Maintaining Dual Citizenship: Rules and Regulations
Both countries maintain open policies toward dual nationality. However, you should understand the following rules to ensure compliance:
- No Renunciation Required: You do not need to renounce your original nationality when applying for either citizenship.
- No Declaration of Intent Needed: Neither country requires formal notification to hold dual citizenship.
- Passport Use: Within the Common Travel Area, you can use either passport. However, when entering or leaving the EU, you should use your Irish passport for EU travel benefits.
- No Residency Conflicts: Holding both nationalities does not affect your residency rights in either country.
These regulations make dual British and Irish citizenship among the most straightforward in Europe.
Traveling with British and Irish Passports
One of the major benefits of dual British and Irish citizenship is the ease of travel between the UK, Ireland, and the EU.
Within the Common Travel Area (CTA)
- No Border Checks: Travel between the UK and Ireland is unrestricted.
- No Visa Requirement: Citizens of both countries can live, work, and study freely in each other’s territories.
For EU and International Travel
- Use your Irish passport to travel freely within the European Union (EU) and EEA countries.
- Use your British passport when entering the UK or countries where the UK has stronger visa arrangements.
Having both passports ensures maximum flexibility when travelling internationally, particularly post-Brexit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Do I need to renounce British citizenship to obtain an Irish passport?
No. Both the UK and Ireland allow dual nationality, so you may hold both citizenships simultaneously.
Q2: Can Northern Irish residents hold both British and Irish passports?
Yes. Under the Good Friday Agreement, residents of Northern Ireland can hold both British and Irish citizenship without restriction.
Q3: Do I need both passports when travelling between the UK and Ireland?
Not usually. Travel within the Common Travel Area is free and typically does not require showing a passport.
Q4: Can I apply for both passports at the same time?
You may apply for both once you meet each country’s citizenship requirements. There is no restriction on timing.
Q5: Has Brexit affected dual citizenship between the UK and Ireland?
No. Brexit does not affect the right to hold or apply for both British and Irish citizenships.
Q6: Can I work freely in the EU with dual British and Irish citizenship?
Yes. As an Irish citizen, you retain full EU freedom of movement, including the right to live and work across all 27 EU countries.
Conclusion
Holding dual British and Irish citizenship offers exceptional advantages — from visa-free access to the EU and the UK to expanded work, study, and residency rights. Whether you qualify through birth, descent, or residency, both governments fully recognise and support dual nationality.
For many, obtaining both passports represents the best of both worlds: the benefits of EU membership and the privileges of UK citizenship.
For fixed-fee legal help with your British or Irish citizenship application,
contact Martin Taggart — your trusted UK and Irish immigration partner.