EU Treaty Rights
Application
EU Treaty Rights guarantee the freedom of movement for citizens within the European Union.
This means that EU citizens and their eligible family members have the right to visit, enter, and reside in any other EU member state, provided they meet the legal conditions.
It also ensures equal treatment with nationals of the host country in key areas, including:
Access to employment, fair working conditions, and taxation.
Access to vocational training and trade union membership.
Access to housing.
Access to education for themselves and their children.
Who This Applied To
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Freedom of movement in Ireland applies to nationals of all 27 European Union (EU) countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland.
A residence card issued by another EU member state cannot be used for a long-term stay in Ireland; you must obtain a card from the Irish immigration authorities.escription text goes here
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Two categories of family members may apply based on their relationship to the EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
1. Qualifying Family Members:
A spouse or civil partner.
Direct descendants (e.g., children, grandchildren) under 21 years of age.
Dependent direct descendants aged 21 or older.
Dependent direct relatives in the ascending line (e.g., dependent parents / grandparents).
2. Permitted Family Members:
A de facto partner in a durable, committed relationship akin to marriage.
Other dependent family members or members of the household from the country of origin.
Individuals requiring the personal care of the citizen on serious health grounds.
The Minister has discretion to treat an applicant as a permitted family member. If so, a temporary permission may be granted during application processing. Incomplete documentation may result in a temporary permission being withheld.
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Generally, EU Treaty Rights do not apply to Irish citizens or their families within Ireland, as these rights govern movement to a different member state. However, exceptions exist, such as:
When a non-EEA family member holds a valid EU residence card from another member state, and the family relocates to Ireland.
When an Irish citizen returns to Ireland after having exercised free movement rights in another EU state, accompanied by the non-EEA family member who resided with them there.
Am I eligible as a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen?
Your eligibility is based on two main factors:
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You must be a qualifying family member, such as a spouse, civil partner, de facto partner, child, parent, or dependent relative of the EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
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To stay longer than three months, your EU/EEA/Swiss family member must be exercising a Treaty right in Ireland. This means they are working, self-employed, studying (qualifying family members only), or self-sufficient.
Important: Applications under EU Treaty Rights must be made from within Ireland. You cannot apply from outside the country.
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