A guide for migrants on eligibility, financial thresholds and how to apply.
Can I bring my family members to Ireland?
Who can you bring?
The following family members may be eligible to join you in Ireland:
- Spouse, civil partner or de facto partner — de facto partners must have been together for 2 or more years with supporting evidence
- Unmarried children under 18
- Dependent adult relatives (such as parents, adult children or siblings) — only eligible if they cannot live independently without financial and social support, and must provide official medical documentation showing a serious medical or psychological condition. A waiting period of 0, 2 or 5 years may apply before they can apply
Eligibility is divided into three categories based on your immigration status. Your category determines both the waiting period before you can apply and the financial thresholds you must meet.
| Category | Sponsor Status | Waiting Period before Application |
|---|---|---|
| Category A | Irish citizens | No waiting period |
| Category B | Critical Skills Permit holders, Entrepreneurs (STEP), PhD students, researchers with hosting agreements, ISD-approved scholarship students, Intra-company transferees, full-time non-locum doctors, Ministers of religion | No waiting period for nuclear family members; 2 years for other family members |
| Category C | Other work permit holders and Stamp 4 holders — e.g. General Permit, Reactivation Permit, Refugees, Stamp 4 regularisation | 1 year+ for nuclear family members; 5 years for other family members |
Financial Thresholds for Spouse
| Category | Gross Income Requirement |
|---|---|
| Category A | Cumulative income of €75,000 over a 3-year period (Irish nationals — for spouse/children) |
| Category B | Not required to meet a financial threshold |
| Category C | Gross annual income of €30,000 in the year prior to the application |
Financial Thresholds for Minor Children
| Number of Children | Min. Annual Net Salary Required (2026) | Indicative Annual Gross Salary Equivalent (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | €39,780 | €50,200 |
| 2 children | €45,032 | €60,200 |
| 3 children | €50,284 | €70,100 |
| 4 children | €55,016 | €80,000 |
| 5 children | €61,568 | €93,700 |
| 6 children | €67,600 | €106,300 |
| 7 children | €74,672 | €121,100 |
| 8+ children | €79,664 | €131,600 |
Financial Thresholds for Dependent Adult Relatives
| Number of Dependent Adult Relatives | Minimum Annual Gross Salary Required |
|---|---|
| 1 adult | €92,789 |
| 2 adults | €125,390 |
| 3 adults | €157,992 |
Key Accommodation Requirements
This is applicable at the later stages of the application process. You don’t have to have the below requirements when you make an application but it is required when the department contacts you at the later stage to provide suitable accommodation details to continue with your application process. You will have 6 months from the time you are asked to provide accommodation requirements.
Under the new policy, sponsors must be able to demonstrate that they have suitable accommodation for the family members they wish to bring to Ireland. The accommodation must not be overcrowded.
The policy states that, at a minimum, accommodation should provide:
- One bedroom for the sponsor and their spouse or partner (where applicable);
- One additional bedroom for every two children; and
- Enough bedrooms so that children over the age of 10 of different sexes are not required to share a bedroom.
The policy includes several examples, such as requiring a three-bedroom home for a family with a son aged 5 and a daughter aged 13.
Exclusive Use of the Property
A significant new requirement concerns households with children.
Where children are included in the application, there must be no unrelated adults living in the property. As a result, the sponsor must rent or own the entire dwelling. The policy specifically states that renting only part of a property—for example through the Rent-a-Room scheme—will not satisfy the accommodation requirement.
Evidence required
If the accommodation is rented, sponsors will be expected to provide:
- Confirmation that the tenancy is registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB);
- The RTB registration confirmation letter;
- A completed form signed by both the sponsor and the landlord confirming that the family members will be permitted to live in the property if the application succeeds.
For owner-occupied homes, sponsors must provide proof of ownership together with details of the property, including the number of bedrooms and current occupancy.
Timing
The policy states that proof of suitable accommodation is not required when the application is first submitted. Instead, the decision-maker may request it during the assessment process.
If the requested evidence is not provided within six months, the application may be refused.
The policy also provides that immigration officers may ask non-visa required family members to produce proof of suitable accommodation at the border. If it cannot be produced, they may be refused permission to enter the State.
Other Accommodation-related Provisions
The policy also states that sponsors:
- must not be living in homeless accommodation, State-funded emergency accommodation, IPAS accommodation, social housing or local authority housing;
- may also fail to meet the policy requirements if they are receiving housing supports such as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP);
- may have their accommodation verified with local authorities or the RTB as part of the assessment process.
These accommodation provisions form part of a wider set of changes to Ireland’s family reunification policy published on 12 June 2026.
You can refer to the full policy in detail here: Family Reunification Policy
Need Help With Your Application?
For guidance on supporting documents and to understand what applies to your specific situation, contact the MRCI Information and Support Centre. Our caseworkers are here to help – free and confidential. Submit your questions here: www.mrci.ie/contact-us
