Irish passport applications surge as more Americans seek EU access

• 31,825 Americans applied for Irish citizenship in 2024, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. Many applicants cite political concerns, economic opportunities, and access to the European Union as key reasons for obtaining an Irish passport.
• The surge peaked in November 2024, when 3,692 applications were filed, marking the highest monthly total in a decade, and coinciding with Donald Trump’s re-election.
• Immigration lawyers report a spike in U.S. inquiries about relocating abroad, while celebrities and high-profile figures are also moving overseas.

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The number of Americans applying for Irish citizenship and passports has surged, with a record 31,825 applications in 2024, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. The spike follows Donald Trump’s re-election, with many citing political concerns, economic opportunities and ease of access to the European Union as key motivations.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs reported a 50% increase in foreign birth registrations from the U.S., rising from 7,726 in 2023 to 11,601 in 2024. Americans accounted for 27% of all foreign birth registrations, reinforcing a decade-long upward trend in applications.

When was the biggest surge in applications?

November 2024 saw an unprecedented spike in Irish passport applications from the U.S., with 3,692 submissions, the highest single-month total in a decade. This coincided with Trump’s election victory.

Many applicants say they are seeking an exit strategy due to concerns about Trump’s policies. 

Do Americans make up a large portion of Irish passport applicants?

Although Americans make up only 3.2% of total Irish passport applications, their numbers have risen steadily in recent years. Experts believe this trend will continue to grow, fueled by a mix of political, economic and personal reasons.

What benefits do Americans get from Irish citizenship?

Martina Curtin, president of the Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston, highlighted multiple reasons why Americans are choosing to apply:

“Some of it is just their deep affinity to Ireland. You cannot underestimate that,” Curtin said. “Other people, it’s just for practical reasons. They see the value of having that Irish passport—it’s a gateway to the EU.”

Holding an Irish passport grants the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union. It also opens doors to affordable higher education, a major factor for some applicants.

“Third-level education is much less expensive in Ireland compared to the United States,” Curtin said.

Are more Americans looking to leave the U.S.?

Following Trump’s 2024 election victory, online searches for emigration options skyrocketed. According to the Irish Star, Google Trends recorded a 68% spike in searches for “move to Canada” in the weeks surrounding the election.

Immigration lawyers in the U.S. and Canada are reporting a dramatic increase in inquiries. Some law firms are seeing a tripling of calls from Americans looking to relocate.

“What we’re in right now is a period of heightened uncertainty,” said Evan Green, managing partner at Green and Spiegel Law in Toronto. “People know what’s coming, and because of that, they’re far more motivated to move.”

“During the Biden administration, we probably got maybe one or two calls a month. Since the new administration has come into office, we’ve probably had maybe one to two a week,” said Zach Ahlstrom, a senior attorney at Berardi Immigration Law in Buffalo, NY.

How can Americans qualify for Irish citizenship?

Irish law allows U.S. citizens to apply for citizenship through descent, provided they can prove that a parent or grandparent was born in Ireland.

The process has become easier due to the ability to apply online and access digital records. This has led to a steady increase in foreign birth registrations over the past decade.

With an increasing number of Americans seeking alternatives abroad, Ireland remains an attractive option for those with Irish ancestry.

As the U.S. political landscape continues to shift, so does the demand for dual citizenship.