Proposed Changes to Citizenship Law
Ireland's Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan of Fianna Fáil, has announced plans to significantly alter the path to Irish citizenship for Ukrainian refugees. The proposed legislative changes will exclude the period spent under the European Union's Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) from being counted as 'reckonable residence' for naturalisation applications. This means that the time Ukrainian refugees have lived in Ireland since the TPD was activated in March 2022 will not contribute towards the residency requirement for becoming an Irish citizen.
Current Citizenship Framework and Refugee Status
Under existing Irish law, refugees generally need to demonstrate a period of reckonable residence to apply for naturalisation. For applications received before December 8, 2025, a three-year residency period was applicable for refugees. However, for applications submitted from December 8, 2025, the requirement for refugees is typically five years of reckonable residence. For most adult applicants, the general rule is five years of reckonable residence within the past nine years, including a continuous one-year period immediately preceding the application.
The Temporary Protection Directive was implemented in response to the conflict in Ukraine, granting those fleeing the war immediate access to live, work, and claim benefits within EU member states, including Ireland. This directive has been extended until March 2027. Since February 2022, over 120,000 people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted Temporary Protection in Ireland, with an estimated 83,000 remaining resident in the State.
Concerns and Reactions from the Ukrainian Community
The announcement has elicited considerable concern among Ukrainian refugees and integration advocates in Ireland. Many feel that the proposed changes undermine their efforts to integrate into Irish society. Denis Henesky, a Ukrainian refugee who has lived in Ireland for nearly four years, expressed anxiety about his status, stating that 'Everyone said, 'integrate, integrate, integrate.'' Lelizaveta Karamushka of Ukrainian Action in Ireland questioned the value of these integration efforts, asking, 'Was all this investment into integration for nothing?'
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has also voiced concerns, describing the proposal as 'regressive.' Some refugees have indicated that returning to Russian-occupied territories is not an option for them.
Broader Context of Irish Refugee Policy
The proposed change to citizenship law is part of a broader review of Ireland's migration policies. The Minister for Justice has cited Ireland's population growth, which is 1.5% annually and approximately seven times the EU average, as a factor influencing these reforms. The government views citizenship by naturalisation as a 'privilege' rather than a right.
In addition to the citizenship changes, Ireland has also adjusted its accommodation policy for new Ukrainian arrivals. Effective November 2025, the period of state-provided accommodation for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees has been reduced from 90 days to 30 days. The government has also indicated that working individuals may receive preferential treatment in future citizenship applications.
5 Comments
BuggaBoom
Ireland's reputation for compassion is being destroyed by these regressive policies.
Eugene Alta
It's understandable that a 'temporary protection' directive would eventually transition to different rules for long-term residency. Yet, the suddenness of this announcement and its impact on individuals who have invested years in Ireland highlights a need for clearer communication from the outset about pathways to permanency.
Noir Black
This is a cruel betrayal! They were encouraged to integrate, now their future is uncertain.
Raphael
Absolutely shameful. Changing the rules mid-game for people fleeing war is morally reprehensible.
Habibi
Utterly discriminatory and unfair to those who have built lives and contributed here.