IrishCitizenshipTest.com
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IrishCitizenshipTest.com
For the first time, Ireland is introducing a citizenship test. Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026, applicants for naturalisation will have to show proficiency in English, Irish or Irish Sign Language, and a knowledge of Irish civics — society, government and the Constitution. We're building the most thorough preparation platform for it. Join the waitlist for early access.
The Government has announced the outline and is drafting the bill — the test format, level and official study materials don't exist yet.
A language test — proficiency in English, Irish or Irish Sign Language, described by the Minister for Justice as “relatively simple” — and a civics test on how Irish society, government and the Constitution work. The exact level and format have not been set.
The qualifying period would rise from five years to eight: two years of continuous residence immediately before applying, plus six of the previous ten. Time spent under temporary protection would not count.
Everyone applying for naturalisation, including spouses of Irish citizens — who would also face longer marriage and residence requirements. Citizenship by descent is not affected. The Minister could waive the language test for vulnerable applicants.
The Minister for Justice has called it the biggest reform of Ireland's citizenship rules in a generation. We follow the bill through every stage and update this page as details are published.
Today you can apply for naturalisation after five years of reckonable residence in the last nine (including one continuous year before applying) — with no test of any kind. The bill's transitional arrangements haven't been published, and the processing backlog stands at roughly 61,000 applications. If you already qualify, filing under today's rules is worth serious consideration.
Ten questions about Ireland — how well do you know the country?
Explainers, bill analysis, and decision guides — everything we know about the test, updated as the Government and the Oireachtas publish more detail.
The platform launches once the Oireachtas passes the bill and the official scope of the test is published. Waitlist members get early access, founder pricing, and the free preparation guide we'll publish when the official materials are released.
No spam. We'll only email you about the platform launch and the official study materials.
No. Today Ireland has no language or civics test of any kind — it has been one of the few EU countries without one. The test is part of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026, which the Government approved for priority drafting in September 2026. The bill still has to go through pre-legislative scrutiny, drafting and both houses of the Oireachtas before it becomes law.
Two things. A language test showing proficiency in English, Irish or Irish Sign Language — the Minister for Justice has described it as “relatively simple”, aimed at ensuring people can communicate in civic and daily life. And a civics requirement: knowledge and understanding of how Irish society, government and the Constitution work. The detailed format, question style and delivery method have not been announced.
Not yet set. The Minister's description of a “relatively simple” test, and the stated aim of aligning with other EU member states, suggest a level in the A2–B1 range that most European countries use — but this is inference, not an announcement. Proficiency in Irish or Irish Sign Language would count equally.
Today: five years of reckonable residence within the last nine, including one continuous year immediately before applying. The bill proposes eight years — two years of continuous residence immediately before applying, plus six of the previous ten. For refugees, the period was already increased from three to five years in late 2025. Time spent in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive would not count.
The marriage or civil partnership requirement would rise from three years to five, the couple must be living together, and the applicant would need five years of residence in Ireland — including two continuous years before applying and three of the last five. Spouses would also have to meet the language and civics requirements.
Citizenship by descent (including the Foreign Births Register) doesn't involve naturalisation, so the test doesn't apply there. The bill is expected to give the Minister discretion to waive the language requirement for vulnerable applicants so it doesn't cause undue hardship. The full list of exemptions — by age, disability or otherwise — will only be known when the bill text is published.
The transitional arrangements haven't been announced. In past reforms, new requirements have generally applied to applications made after commencement rather than to those already in the queue — but until the bill is published this is not guaranteed. If you already meet today's conditions, filing sooner rather than later reduces the risk of falling under the stricter regime.
We're building it now and plan to launch alongside the publication of the official test format and study materials. Waitlist members will be the first to know and will receive founder pricing.