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AIBU?

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Original poster

to ask if Irish vs U.K. passport makes a difference?

140 replies

OneOfTheseNights · 30/05/2026 03:51

Hi, some friends have emigrated from a non European country to Ireland.

They moved there with two young dc, and are wondering whether to try to get their dc Irish passports.

I know next to nothing of how they go about this, and I’m sure they are more than capable.

i just wondered, if they are applying for passports for their dc, would they benefit more from an Irish passport, or if possible, would it be better to apply for a U.K. passport ?

🙏🏻

OP posts:
Crafta · 30/05/2026 07:09

It doesn't sound like they could get either passport.

RedTagAlan · 30/05/2026 07:09

OneOfTheseNights · 30/05/2026 07:00

I do know that one of the couples great grandparent was Irish.
I don’t think they have the birth certificate of that ancestor, so could that be recovered from somewhere?

Do the DC have current passports they can use ?

Is there a reason they can't get passports from their birth country ?

It's not always straight forward. For example, if their birth country does not recognise dual citizenship, then them getting an Irish passport would effectively lock them out from returning later.

There are so many variables.

However. quote :"Hi, some friends have emigrated from a non European country to Ireland." The UK is a non EU country too. So I have no idea why someone in the Republic would want a UK passport.

MynameisnotJohn · 30/05/2026 07:06

Why would they apply for a UK passport? There is a common travel arrangement between the two countries but they are separate countries.

sashh · 30/05/2026 07:05

A great great grand parent is not going to get you citizenship of anywhere.

Original poster
OneOfTheseNights · 30/05/2026 07:00

I do know that one of the couples great grandparent was Irish.
I don’t think they have the birth certificate of that ancestor, so could that be recovered from somewhere?

OP posts:
RedTagAlan · 30/05/2026 06:51

Depends on what country they were born in surely. Many non EU countries do not allow duel citizenship. So if they ready have another citizenship they might have to renounce that.

As a PP said, I don't see how UK citizenship is connected to them being in Ireland.

Zanatdy · 30/05/2026 06:46

Irish is better now since Brexit, so if they qualify, Irish over British

Mydogisagentleman · 30/05/2026 06:41

My DH has an Irish passport. His travelling life is much easier than mine.
He had a lot of work to do to get it, his was by descent (grandparents) and involved birth, death and marriage certificates.
If I had the option, I would definitely go Irish

AndyBurnhamForPM · 30/05/2026 06:32

Go for it - it will make EU travel easier

Sskka · 30/05/2026 06:31

On what basis would they be entitled to a UK passport? There’s nothing in your post to indicate that they have anything to do with this country.

PiggieWig · 30/05/2026 04:20

Definitely Irish although the advantage may not be as great if they are already EU citizens.

Copperoliverbear · 30/05/2026 04:04

Irish easier traveling around

AImportantMermaid · 30/05/2026 04:00

There are quite strict rules around getting an Irish passport. Are they Irish citizens (were they or a parent/grandparent) born on the island of Ireland? If not they would need to get Irish citizenship first which can take quite a long time:

https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/#how-else-do-i-become-an-irish-citizen

It’s definitely worth it as at makes you an EU citizen and you can work, live, and travel more or less freely throughout its countries.

Edited to add: if it’s a choice between a UK and an Irish passport there are far more opportunities available to you if you hold the Irish one.

araiwa · 30/05/2026 04:00

Do they want freedom to travel, work and live in 27 other EU countries?

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