Yes. If you are an American who is also a British citizen, or who holds a passport from a European Union country, that works in Ireland. The rules are different for the two.
Watch: 7 Legal Ways to Move to Ireland from the USA
The video starts at the part that answers this question. For the whole picture, read 7 Legal Ways to Move to Ireland from the USA (2026).
Subscribe to Love Ireland on YouTube for a new plain-English guide to Ireland every week. The full video is on YouTube: 7 Legal Ways to Move to Ireland from the USA (2026).
British citizens
British citizens have the right to live and work in Ireland.
European Union citizens
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Citizens of European Union countries can stay for 3 months freely. To stay longer, they must be:
- working,
- studying, or
- supporting themselves, with enough money and health insurance.
After 5 years as a worker or self-employed person, that right becomes permanent. There is no immigration registration, and no residence card.
The catch
Those rights are yours alone. An American husband or wife still has to apply for residence.
- With a spouse from the European Union, you apply after you arrive.
- With a British spouse, you must apply before you travel.
Rules and fees change, so check the official pages before you apply. If neither passport applies to you, see Can You Move to Ireland If Your Grandparent Was Born There? or our complete guide to moving to Ireland.
General information, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Facts checked against official Irish government pages on October 12, 2026.
Official sources
- Citizens Information: Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK
- Citizens Information: Residence rights of EU and EEA nationals
Subscribe to Love Ireland on YouTube for a new plain-English guide to Ireland every week. The full video is on YouTube: 7 Legal Ways to Move to Ireland from the USA (2026).
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