British citizens in Ireland

[Marco 72]

Do British citizens who move to the Republic of Ireland have the same rights as Irish citizens in the UK? For example, are they considered permanent residents the moment they move there? Are they allowed to vote in Ireland's parliamentary elections?

[yankeegirl]

For the most part, yes. I did find a small difference relating to voting. The source is Wikipedia which isn't always accurate, but one could contact the Irish to see if it's correct.

"Also, citizens of Ireland and the UK may vote in general elections of either or both countries, although British citizens in Ireland may not vote in presidential elections or referendums unless they become Irish citizens. This is because British citizens do not elect their head of state and vote in referenda only exceptionally, whereas referenda are a regular feature of Irish politics."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Travel_Area

[JAJ]

Do British citizens who move to the Republic of Ireland have the same rights as Irish citizens in the UK? For example, are they considered permanent residents the moment they move there? Are they allowed to vote in Ireland's parliamentary elections?

Pretty much the same rights. For example, since the 2005 changes to citizenship by birth, children of most EEA/Swiss parents born in Ireland are only Irish citizens by birth if the parent has lived there for 3 out of the 4 previous years.

However if parent is a British citizen, the 3/4 year residence requirement for the parent doesn't apply.

British citizens can vote in parliamentary elections, but cannot stand for national public office (local government seems possible) without becoming Irish citizens. Voting in Presidential elections and constitutional referenda is restricted to Irish citizens.

It appears that British citizens cannot sponsor relatives under Irish domestic immigrations laws, and need to rely on the EU-laws which is causing some issues at the moment.

Naturalisation as an Irish citizen is possible (for a British citizen) after meeting the normal residence period (5 years, or 3 years if married to an Irish citizen).

[Marco 72]

Thanks for the info! By the way (this is slightly off topic): does anyone know which Commonwealth countries grant British citizens the right to vote, or indeed any privileges at all?

[Christophe]

Thanks for the info! By the way (this is slightly off topic): does anyone know which Commonwealth countries grant British citizens the right to vote, or indeed any privileges at all?

I don't know, but fewer and fewer. Australia stopped giving resident British people (and other Commonwealth citizens) the right to vote as of 26 January 1984. Those people who were on the electoral roll then may continue to be on the electoral roll (indeed - must, if they fulfil the residence criteria), and voting is compulsory for everyone who is enrolled. More details at this url on the website of the Australian Electoral Commission: http://www.aec.gov.au/_content/what/enr ... ritish.htm.

The relevant laws of the various states were amended soon after the Commonwealth law was changed.

The number of non-Australian citizens on the electoral roll appears to be unclear (since there is no sensible way of tallying the information up, I guess), but it numbers in the hundreds of thousands. The number is inevitably diminishing, of course, as people die, leave Australia, get lost to the system in some way, or become naturalised Australian citizens.

[Richard8655]

And what about health care coverage for British citizens who move to Ireland? Is it free as it is for Irish citizens?

[JAJ]

And what about health care coverage for British citizens who move to Ireland? Is it free as it is for Irish citizens?

As far as I know the Republic of Ireland does not have a universal free (at point of use) health service.

[Platinum]

As far as I know the Republic of Ireland does not have a universal free (at point of use) health service.

This is correct. You have to pay €40-60 for a visit to the GP, although referrals to specialists and subsequent treatment is free. However, the system moves s...l...o...w...l...y. Months and months of waiting just for a follow-up specialist appointment, in my husband's case.

I had a German co-worker who simply scheduled any medical appointments he needed when he went home to visit. It was cheaper and went more quickly and efficiently than if he tried to get stuff done in Ireland.

[Dawie]

Compare waiting 2 - 4 weeks in the UK for a naturalisation application to be processed, to waiting 24 - 36 MONTHS in Ireland for a naturalisation application to be processed.

[Marco 72]

This is correct. You have to pay €40-60 for a visit to the GP, although referrals to specialists and subsequent treatment is free. However, the system moves s...l...o...w...l...y. Months and months of waiting just for a follow-up specialist appointment, in my husband's case.

I had a German co-worker who simply scheduled any medical appointments he needed when he went home to visit. It was cheaper and went more quickly and efficiently than if he tried to get stuff done in Ireland.

Actually, the same thing applies to the UK NHS. Depending on location and luck, it may take several months to see a specialist. Before I got private medical coverage I would simply go to Italy and see a specialist there. Unlike in Ireland, GP's here are "free" (that is, financed with your taxes) but their services are generally not of high quality, to use a euphemism.

[joesoap101]

More than half the population have private health insurance so waiting for consultants range from 2-6 weeks, rarely any longer. You do however have to pay the €150 but you can then claim back about a third from your health insurance.