Irish Investment Immigration Program
Irish Golden Visa
What is the Irish Investment Immigration Program (IIP)?
The Irish government launched the Immigrant Investor Program (IIP) in 2012 to encourage business professionals and investors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to invest and build their business interests in Ireland. The program, also known as the Irish Golden Visa, allows eligible candidates to obtain Irish residency status.
We will help you obtain Irish residency
through one of our investment programs.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REITS)
- A real estate investment trust listed on a stock exchange has a minimum investment of 2 million euros.
- Investments can be distributed in multiple REITs.
- The minimum investment period is 3 years.
- During the three-year investment period, it must retain its approved share even if its value exceeds the original 2 million euros.
- At the end of the initial investment period, investors can divest up to 50% of the shares purchased for IIP.
- After four years, investors can reduce their holdings by no more than 25%.
- There is no reservation obligation after five years.
REITs are exempt from corporate tax and must distribute most of the profits each year, which means that they create a fixed source of income for investors.
Investment fund
- Invest at least 1 million euros in approved securities investment funds.
- The minimum investment period is 3 years.
- The Naturalization and Immigration Service of Ireland (INIS) has special guidance on the types of funds approved.
- Funds used for fund investment must represent the equity of companies not listed on any stock exchange.
- The central bank must supervise funds and fund managers.
- Ireland has many funds set up specifically for IIP applicants.
- As part of your IIP application, your attorney will help you understand which funds are suitable for investment.
Business investment
- Invest at least 1 Euro in one or more Irish companies.
- The minimum investment period is 3 years.
- It can be a start-up company or an existing company.
- Must be registered and the headquarters must be in Ireland.
- The latest audited accounts of the existing business must be submitted.
- There is no retention obligation after five years.
Donate
- Invest at least €500,000 into public welfare projects
- Eligible projects include projects in the fields of art, education, health, culture and sports
- This is not an investment, but a charitable donation
- Will not receive any financial return or compensation
- A group of at least five investors can combine their donations, but they must donate at least €400,000, which must come from the applicant himself
- “The central bank must supervise funds and fund managers
- There are many funds set up specifically for IIP applicants in Ireland.
- As part of the IIP application, your lawyer will help you understand which funds are suitable for investment.
Why choose the Irish Golden Visa
to support you in obtaining Irish residency or golden visa?
Irish immigration law firm
Experienced immigration lawyers, we understand the law
Having helped thousands of people obtain golden visas or residency rights, we can help you!
Experts
We will guide you through the whole process, you will not be alone
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not have to live in Ireland to maintain your Investor status, but you must be present a least one day out of the 365 days in the year. This allows participants in the scheme the freedom and ability to continue to direct and conduct business interests overseas. However, if you choose not to make Ireland your home, you will not be eligible to apply to naturalise at the end of 5 years.
Successful investor visa applicant and their families can apply for Irish citizenship after 5 years, if the eligibility for Irish citizenship has been met. Since 2019, you must be able to demonstrate that you have been in continual residency (without breaks) in Ireland the year before application for citizenship.
Yes, Ireland allows dual citizenship, so if you apply for your Irish passport after five years residency, you can also retain your original citizenship.
Key benefits of investing in Ireland include:
- Irish citizenship through investment after five years’ residency
- Recognition of dual nationality visa-free for 172 countries
- A free, high-quality medical and health system
- Free primary and secondary education for children
- No management experience required
- No barriers regarding age, education or language (applicants must be over 18 years)
- A requirement to visit Ireland on only one day each year
Ireland is the only country that also allows its citizens to freely live and work in the UK.
Previous application windows will no longer apply. Applications can be submitted at any time.
A rejection of an IIP application is final and there is no process for appeal. You will receive a letter outlining the reasons for your rejection.
You are free to make a new application at a later date.
Ireland is increasingly becoming one of the best places in the world to do business. It is no surprise that we are considered one of the top three countries for investment. Countries including China, the US, United Arab Emirates, Brazil and India are among the biggest investors in Ireland.
The Irish tax system is based on residence, so there is no tax on worldwide income for nonresidents (if you decide you don’t want to live in Ireland during your residence). However, you will be taxed on Irish-sourced income, including the income from your investments, as well as income remitted to Ireland. That said, the corporate tax rate is only 12.5%.
