Question about my Irish citizenship

[tk2kewl]

I had myself entered in the Irish foreign born citizens registry about 5 years back. I haven't yet gotten my Irish passport, but my brother who went through the same process has. I intend to get my passport as well.

My question is regarding actively participating in Irish and EU elections, and society. I will be seriously considering moving to Europe if the political trend doesn't change dramatically by 2008. Additionally, what do I need to do if as a resident and citizen I want to take advantage of health care programs and universities?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[billyoc]

1. You don't need an Irish passport to emigrate.

As a matter of fact, you CANNOT leave the U.S. under another passport if you're still an American citizen, you must use a U.S. passport to exit the country.

BTW, I'm just getting all the paperwork together to start that process myself, how long did you Irish citizenship application take?

[tk2kewl]

2. it took quite a while as i recall

they are quite slow at the Irish consulate. I'm sure it took at least 3 or 4 months.

[billyoc]

5. Oh, that's not so long, I'll need at least that long to sock away

enough 'mad money'. :)

[tk2kewl]

3. do you know anything about the other issues

regarding voting, universities and social services?

How does one register to vote? How do I vote from US?

Do I need to begin paying taxes while living here to be eligible for resident benefits when I get there, or do they simply come with residing in Europe?

[billyoc]

4. No, I don't know yet. Two members of my family have applied already.

I was going to wait until I was accepted to look into all of that. :)

I do live in NYC, so we have a consulate right here.

[LibLabUK]

6. Hmm..

"regarding universities and social services?"

If it's anything like the rest of the EU, use of these services (including healthcare) will be predicated on your time as a resident. If it's anything like the UK, then for university and social services you may need to be resident in Ireland for 3 or more years before you qualify for aid.

Provision of non-emergency healthcare might require that you have paid some contributions to the Irish form of national insurance before you can recieve free treatment.


In most EU countries, citizenship isn't an automatic pass to recieving benefits.

[tk2kewl]

7. I wasn't looking for a freebee

I am trying to find out if I can pay a non-resident income tax or find some other way to "buy in" before moving.

Any thoughts? Should I simply contact the Irish consulate in NYC?

[Mend]

8. Please tell more about this...

My spouse's family is from Northern Ireland. The family came here in 1802. The ancestors are originally from Scotland and were plantated to Northern Ireland in the 1600's, spending two hundred years there before coming here. Does anyone know if we would qualify?

[SweetLeftFoot]

10. Doubt it

Although people from the North can claim either Irish or Uk citizenship (as a rewsult of the Good Friday Agreement), I'm pretty sure that for both you need at least one grandparents who was a citizen.

Unless you have a remarkable streak of longevity in your family, I don't like your chances.

[fedsron2us]

9. Here are some links on the subject

It looks as though you have the right to vote in Irish and EU elections. However, you will probably need to be resident in Ireland to get your name on the electoral roll and to cast your ballot.

http://www.oasis.gov.ie/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/moving_to_ireland_life_event.html

http://www.oasis.gov.ie/moving_country/migration_and_citizenship/your_right_to_irish_citizenship.html

http://www.oasis.gov.ie/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/right_to_vote.html

Be warned though, one of the documents states

acquiring Irish citizenship does not automatically void the obligations of another citizenship/nationality (e.g. the requirement to complete military service).

This means that, if you retain US citzenship, you might still be subjected to any military draft instigated by the Bush administration. Quite how this would be enforced if you were living in Ireland is not clear.

Hope this helps

edited to add links