If you are a UK citizen and are planning to relocate to Ireland, our lawyers can offer complete assistance throughout the immigration procedure. We invite you to address our immigration lawyer in Ireland if you need legal assistance on the legislation regulating immigration rules applicable in this country.
Table of Contents
What are the visa policies for British nationals?
One of the greatest benefits to immigrate to Ireland from the United Kingdom is that its citizens do not need a visa to enter Ireland. They will only need their identification documents.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visas for short-term immigration from UK to Ireland | There aren’t any visa requirements when moving from UK to Ireland for short-term stays. |
Visas for long-term immigration from UK to Ireland | No requirements |
| Visa exemptions | UK nationals do not have to apply for any type of visa to live, work, or study in Ireland |
| Electronic visas available | Not applicable |
| Main reasons to immigrate from UK to Ireland | UK nationals can arrive here for family reunification, work, study, training and others, as per the provisions of the Common Travel Area (CTA). |
| Institution in charge with the issuance of the visa | Not applicable |
| Fee system available for the processing of the visa (yes/no) | Not applicable |
| Fees charged for the issuance of short-term/long-term visas | Not applicable |
| Special rules for citizens of UK | Yes, UK citizens benefit from the right of free movement in Ireland, without complying with any visa requirements. |
| The procedure for permanent residency in Ireland | Not applicable |
| Documents required for permanent residency application | Not applicable |
| Reasons for which permanent residency can be granted in Ireland | British citizens moving from UK to Ireland can relocate here as per the rules of the Common Travel Area (CTA). |
| Right to permanent residency for refugees/asylum seekers (yes/no) | Yes |
| Immigration pathways for highly skilled persons | Not applicable for British citizens moving from UK to Ireland (they are not required to conclude any immigration steps). |
| Legal pathways to citizenship | British citizens can apply for Irish citizenship based on their particular situation (Irish descent, naturalization). |
What are the immigration policies available in Ireland in 2026?
As member state of the EU, Ireland applies the immigration rules that are established at an EU level, but it must be known that, due to the long cultural and ethnical background with the UK, an additional document is in force. The UK and Ireland are part of the Common Travel Area (CTA), an arrangement that was made between the two countries before the two were part of the EU.
What are the rights of British citizens under the CTA in 2026?
The CTA provides a unique immigration system for Irish and British nationals and it provides a free market system for them. The CTA provides a set of rights to both nationals. When we refer to Britons moving from the UK to Ireland, the following apply:
- one of the advantages is that the UK national does not have to apply for employment permits, as work is not regulated by the issuance of various approvals from the local administration;
- Britons have access to education (here, the same rules that are available forIrish citizenswill apply for British nationals, with no distinction);
- British citizens working and living in Ireland can maintain their social security in Britain even though they work in Ireland;
- when arriving to Ireland, British nationals will also have the right to access the healthcare system of this country, without having to complete any particular procedures;
- British citizensare entitled to access social housing in Ireland following the same procedures available for Irish nationals, without discrimination;
- British citizens can vote in Ireland as if they were Irish nationals.
Below, you can watch a short video concerning the main immigrations steps for Britons moving to Ireland:
What are some of the historic milestones of the CTA?
The CTA is an agreement that has been in force for a long period of time. It must be noted that the stipulations of the agreement apply independently of the EU agreement, and regardless if the two states are members of the EU or not. In the list below, our immigration lawyer in Ireland presents some of the historic milestones concerning the CTA:
- the CTA was first enforced in 1922, but at that time it did not stipulate the current set of rights Britons and Irish enjoy now;
- 1971 marks the beginning of the modern CTA, guaranteeing the right to free movement of both Britons and Irish between the borders of the 2 states;
- in 2018, due to the UK exit from the EU, the 2 countries signed a memorandum of understanding, through which they reaffirmed the commitment to maintain the rights and privileges established under the CTA.
Who can benefit from the CTA?
The CTA is a document that is applicable to several nationalities, not just British citizens. The UK is comprised of several states and territories, therefore, the following nationals can migrate to Ireland following the same procedures our immigration lawyer has presented earlier in the article:
- England;
- Scotland;
- The Channel Islands;
- The Isle of Man;
- Wales;
- Northern Ireland.
Is the CTA applicable to the trade of goods between the two states?
No, the CTA regulates onlyimmigration to Ireland and the UK and it guarantees the right of free movement of persons, similar to the immigration system applicable in the EU.
Are there any land border controls in 2026?
No, individuals traveling from one country to another do not need to complete border controls, as these are no longer in place. However, it is necessary to have an identification document when traveling by airplane or ferry from one country to another. We also mention that some of these services providers accept only passport identification.
Below, you can read our infographic on the immigration rights for Britons in Ireland:
What are the rules for permanent residency in Ireland for UK citizens?
There are no special requirements to meet for British citizens who want to permanently move to Ireland at this point, as they only need to register with the local police office in the city they live in order to have their residence permits issued.
Is it possible to obtain an Irish passport as a UK citizen?
UK citizens holding permanent residence permits or having Irish ancestors can obtain Irish passports. Those who aremarried to Irish citizens also have the right to apply for citizenship in this country.
For assistance in moving from UK to Ireland, please contact our immigration lawyers.
