UK/Ireland dual citizen - Page 2

Cheers

Got some excellent news for you Matthew, we have found out my maternal grandfather and my wifes maternal grandfather were Irish. Getting an Irish passport will mean much more flexibility in time we can spent in Spain. Might even start drinking Guinness.

Having just been through this process, my understanding is that you need to be a CHILD of someone born on the island of Ireland to apply directly for a passport. As a grandchild it's not so straightforward and you firstly have to be entered in the Irish foreign births register which takes between 1-2 years and costs around £300. You are then eligible to apply for an Irish passport.

My daughter would like an Irish passport but is put off applying by the length of time and the cost involved.

I hope this clarifies the situation.

Thanks for that, I'd been advised that it was a bit more complicated when it was a grandfather, but I've got a good few years before I'd need that Irish passport option. 90 in 180 is way more than I need at present, but I'm definitely going to enquire further into getting dual citizenship. 

I hear the time lengths for completion with the Irish Passport Office have greatly decreased in the past few weeks. Hitherto, even simple renewal of passport for current holders was taking up to six months. Still I recommend that if you qualify, you should apply for an Irish passport asap. Nobody knows the potential problems that still await the British expat in Spain. Even the UK driving licence issue resolution is destined for a life of six months only and I believe it is unlikely to be lengthened. 

With regards the driving licence issue, 6 months is all you ever got on taking residency anyway - by extending that 6 months to people who have possibly been here as residents a while, but never got round to changing their licence, Spain really is bending over backwards.

The big takeaway though is that people coming over now do not have to take a test - they can now exchange their UK licence for a Spanish one.  And if you are resident in Spain, exchanging your UK licence for a Carnet de Conducir is not optional, it is mandatory