A stable, well-regulated EU member state with a familiar common-law system, English as the working language, and one of Europe's strongest economic recoveries of the past decade. Ireland remains a high-quality residence option for families and entrepreneurs prioritising EU access alongside Anglo-business familiarity.
Ireland's principal investor-residence programme — the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) — was paused to new applications in February 2023, with a stated review of the route's future. Applications already submitted have continued to be processed, and Ovata maintains active capability to advise on the IIP both for legacy applicants and against the possibility of a successor programme being launched.
Alongside the IIP, Ireland offers conventional residence routes that remain available and well-used by international families: the Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) for early-stage business founders, Stamp 0 long-term residence for persons of independent means, and intra-company transfer and critical-skills routes for professional families. Each has its own qualification standard and ongoing residence obligation.
Ireland's strategic case is straightforward: it is the only English-speaking common-law jurisdiction inside the European Union (post-Brexit), it has a deep international business community, and it offers a comparatively short five-year path to naturalisation. The headwinds are equally clear: there is no current open investor route, and the Irish tax position for new residents is not as accommodating as some competing European programmes.
Irish tax residence is determined by physical presence (183 days in a year, or 280 days across two years). Ordinary residents who are not domiciled in Ireland may be taxable on a remittance basis on non-Irish source income — a meaningful concession for internationally-mobile families, but one whose application is technical and whose interaction with the residence permission requires careful planning.
Irish corporate tax remains highly competitive at 12.5% for trading income, though the Pillar Two global minimum-tax regime is changing the calculus for very large groups. For private clients, the interaction between residence, domicile, remittance basis and the EU automatic-exchange-of-information regime requires named Irish tax counsel from the outset.
This is orientation, not advice. Ovata always works alongside qualified Irish tax counsel before any decision is taken.
The IIP was paused to new applications in February 2023. Applications submitted before the pause are still being processed. We brief principals on the current status at the initial consultation and adapt the strategy accordingly. Other Irish residence routes remain open.
Five years of "reckonable" lawful residence in Ireland, with the year immediately before the application being continuous. Naturalisation requires good character and an intention to continue residing in Ireland.
Yes. Ireland permits dual citizenship and does not require renunciation of prior nationalities for naturalisation.
Historically, IIP holders were required to spend at least one day per calendar year in Ireland. Routes leading to naturalisation require materially higher physical presence (broadly, 183 days per year in the qualifying year and reasonable residence in earlier years).
A short conversation is the best way to understand whether Ireland's current routes match your family's profile and timing.