Ireland tightens family reunification rules for migrants and refugees

Ireland introduced significant measures to its family reunification rules, tightening eligibility requirements for Irish citizens, migrant workers and people granted international protection who wish to bring family members to the State.

The amendments, which took effect on June 12, 2026, revise both the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy and the framework governing family reunification for people granted international protection.

Main changes for Irish nationals and certain non EEA nationals

Among the most notable changes, Irish citizens seeking to sponsor a spouse or children from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) must now demonstrate a gross income of at least €75,000 over the previous three years, equivalent to €25,000 annually. The threshold was previously €40,000 over three years.


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General Employment Permit holders and other sponsors classified under Category C will also face stricter requirements. They must now provide evidence that they can accommodate family members joining them in Ireland. In addition, all sponsors will be deemed ineligible if they are living in certain forms of supported accommodation.

The government has also increased other financial eligibility thresholds in line with indexation measures.

Major changes for people granted international protection

The reforms introduce major changes for refugees and other beneficiaries of international protection. Under the new rules, people granted international protection will generally have to wait two years from the date their protection status is granted before becoming eligible to apply for family reunification under the International Protection Act.

Sponsors seeking to reunite with family members under the Act will also be required to show they have sufficient financial resources to support relatives without creating an undue burden on the State. Certain exemptions will apply where the sponsor is a minor.

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Additional conditions require sponsors not to be receiving specified social welfare payments or housing supports and not to have outstanding debts to the State for a defined period before submitting an application.

The changes also remove access to the broader Family Reunification Policy for refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, regardless of when they received their protection status. The only exception will be cases involving family relationships formed after the individual entered Ireland.

However, refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection will continue to be eligible to seek family reunification through the provisions of the International Protection Act.

The changes form part of the government's broader efforts to tighten immigration and family migration rules while placing greater emphasis on sponsors' financial capacity and housing arrangements.