Overview
The Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme allows non-EEA nationals and their families to apply for Irish residency, and Irish citizenship in some cases, in return for a philanthropic donation to a qualifying project. It is the programme that gave Eterna’s Dublin office its anchor, and one we have processed applications under since the firm’s earliest immigration years.
The Irish passport is among the most powerful in the world: Irish nationals are the only EU citizens permitted to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom without a visa, while retaining full access to the rest of the European Union.
Who it’s for
- Investors seeking a path to Irish, and therefore EU, residency
- Families wanting access to Ireland’s education system at EU tuition rates after three years of residence
- High-net-worth individuals committed to a philanthropic component as part of their immigration plan
What it includes
- Residency for up to five years for the investor, spouse, and dependent children under 18 (unmarried dependants aged 18–24 in full-time education may also be included)
- Initial residency permitted for two years, followed by a further three if conditions remain met
- A path to citizenship for investors who wish to live in Ireland full-time or for extended periods
- Irish nationals are the only EU citizens permitted to live, work, and study in the UK without a visa, while retaining full EU access (with E-3 special visa access to the US in development)
- A low physical presence requirement during the first five years of Stamp 4: visit one day per year, alongside the other visa conditions
What it requires
- A minimum net worth of €2 million (or equivalent)
- Statements of character from police authorities in previous countries of residence (ages 16+, six months+ residence, last ten years)
- Due diligence report from appropriate risk-management agencies
- Evidence of monetary activities and the transfer of programme funds
- Minimum of one visit to Ireland per year
- A philanthropic endowment of €400,000 to a qualifying project
- Critically: the investment is required only after an application is approved, not before
How Eterna supports your application
Eterna’s Dublin office has been at the centre of the firm’s IIP work for years. We curate a portfolio of pre-approved philanthropic projects across charities, sports clubs, and foundations that meet the programme’s requirements. We handle the application end-to-end: due diligence, documentation, project selection, and government liaison.
A note on the philanthropic donation
The IIP’s donation requirement is not a fee. It is a contribution to a project that supports Irish communities, and our clients tell us this is one of the parts of the programme that sits well with them.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies?
Applicants must be at least 18, of good character with no criminal convictions in any jurisdiction, and demonstrate a minimum net worth of €2 million, lawfully acquired. Investment commitments are made only after INIS pre-approves the application.
What are the four approved investment routes?
The Eterna offering uses a philanthropic Endowment of €400,000 to a qualifying project.
When is the capital actually committed?
Only after INIS issues pre-approval. The application is filed first; funds are placed when the route is cleared by the State.
What residence does the IIP require?
A single visit to Ireland is required during the application process. Renewals at year 2 and year 5 require the investment to remain in place, no criminal record, and at least one day spent in Ireland each year.
Can the IIP lead to Irish citizenship?
Yes. After five years of reckonable residence, one continuous year immediately before the citizenship application and four further years within the preceding eight, investors may apply for Irish naturalisation.
Are EU/EEA nationals eligible?
No. The IIP is reserved for non-EEA investors.
