EU/EEA/Swiss student

Freedom of movement in Ireland applies to anyone from the European Union (EU) , which is made up of 27 countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland.

European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 548 of 2015) . This legislation puts Directive 2004/38/EC in motion.

(iii) is enrolled in an educational establishment accredited or financed by the State for the principal purpose of following a course of study there and has comprehensive sickness insurance in respect of himself or herself and his or her family members and, by means of a declaration or otherwise, satisfies the Minister that he or she has sufficient resources for himself or herself and his or her family members not to become an unreasonable burden on the social assistance system of the State,

In general, citizens of countries in the single market do not need a visa or other special permission to come to or stay in Ireland.

4. (1) A Union citizen who is in possession of a valid national identity card or passport as evidence of his or her nationality and identity may not be refused permission to enter the State unless he or she— ( a ) is suffering from a disease specified in Schedule 1, or ( b ) represents a danger for public policy or public security by reason of the fact that his or her personal conduct represents a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society.

14. (1) A Union citizen who, by virtue of these Regulations, is entitled to remain permanently in the State may apply to the Minister for a permanent residence certificate.

(4) In a case where a Union citizen has an entitlement to reside in the State under paragraph (3)( a )(iii), paragraphs (3)( a )(iv) and (3)( b ) shall confer a right to reside in the State on a family member only where the family member is— ( a ) a spouse or civil partner of the Union citizen concerned, or ( b ) a child of the Union citizen concerned, or of the Union citizen’s spouse or civil partner, and is— (i) under the age of 21, or (ii) a dependent of the Union citizen, or of his or her spouse or civil partner.

(5)( a ) Where a Union citizen has an entitlement to reside in the State under paragraph (3)( a )(iii), a person to whom subparagraph ( b ) applies may apply to the Minister for a permission to remain in the State with that Union citizen. ( b ) This paragraph applies to a direct relative in the ascending line of the Union citizen, or of the Union citizen’s spouse or civil partner, who is dependent on the Union citizen, or on the Union citizen’s spouse or civil partner. ( c ) In order to decide whether to grant a permission under paragraph ( a ), the Minister shall cause to be carried out an extensive examination of the personal circumstances of the applicant and shall have regard to the following:

a Union citizen who has resided in the State in conformity with these Regulations for a continuous period of 5 years

(5) For the purposes of these Regulations, continuity of residence in the State shall not be affected by— ( a ) temporary absences not exceeding 6 months in a 12 month period, ( b ) absences of a longer duration for compulsory military service, ( c ) one absence of a maximum of 12 consecutive months for important reasons such as pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, study or vocational training, or a posting in a Member State or a third country.

(6) Without prejudice to Regulations 20 to 23, where a person has acquired the right to remain permanently in the State pursuant to these Regulations, that right shall cease to exist only where the person concerned has been absent from the State for a period exceeding 2 consecutive years.