The Ireland golden visa, formally the Immigrant Investor Programme, closed to new applications on 14 February 2023, so there is no open route where a new investor can simply apply. The only investor path described in 2026 sources is a donation of about €400,000 to a pre-approved project, which is described as largely oversubscribed.
Ireland ran its program from 2012 and attracted about €1.29 billion in investment, mainly from China, the United States and Vietnam. It closed with one day’s notice, which surprised many applicants. This guide explains what the program was, why it closed, what happened to applications already in the system, what the 2026 sources say about the donation route, which employment permit routes remain and how to avoid sellers who still advertise the old visa. The closure date, the numbers and the processing priorities come from an investment migration news page dated 23 January 2024. The 2026 picture comes from a Fragomen article dated 24 April 2026, and the employment permit thresholds come from a law firm article dated 12 January 2026. These are secondary sources, so confirm every detail with the Irish immigration authorities and an Irish solicitor before you pay. If you are an American planning a move, your passport comes first, and our US passport guide covers how to get or renew one.
Is There an Ireland Golden Visa in 2026?
No, not as an open program: the Immigrant Investor Programme closed on 14 February 2023, and the government said it had fulfilled its purpose of supporting economic recovery. A narrow donation route is described in a 2026 article.
The news page says the program launched in 2012 and closed on 14 February 2023. The Fragomen article agrees that the program closed in February 2023 and says the closure came “with one day’s notice.” The stated reason was that the program had fulfilled its purpose of supporting economic recovery. Data from June 2023 cited on the news page shows €1.293 billion invested and 1,788 applications approved, at about €723,154 per investment.
Compare this with other countries that ended their routes, such as the UK in our UK golden visa guide, Spain in our Spain golden visa guide and Australia in our Australia golden visa guide. Ireland follows the same pattern: a route that existed, grew popular and closed.
What Did the Old Program Require?
The old program required at least €1 million held for three years, or a €500,000 donation, or a €400,000 joint donation to a public-benefit project. The amounts came with ongoing monitoring.
The news page lists these options:
- Investment: At least €1 million held for at least three years.
- Donation: €500,000 to a public-benefit project.
- Joint donation: €400,000 as a joint donation to a public-benefit project.
- Monitoring: Approved projects and applicants remain monitored for delivery and compliance.
- Renewal: Approved applicants must still meet specific conditions to renew their immigration permission.
The Fragomen article adds a convenient detail for existing investors. It says physical residence in Ireland is not required to maintain or renew the permission, but beneficiaries must visit Ireland at least once in every 12-month period from the date the permission is granted. That is a small visit requirement for a long-term permission.
What Happened to Applications Already in the System?
Some projects approved under the program may complete their funding agreements, and a limited window in 2023 let applicants submit new proposals through a triage process. Other applications are being worked through in a set order.
The Fragomen article says projects approved under the program may complete their outstanding funding agreements. It also says a limited window in 2023 let applicants submit new proposals through a government-run triage process. The news page describes how the remaining applications are being prioritized, with the order set out in the January 2024 report:
- Approved projects that requested more funding and added new elements outside their approved business plan.
- Project applications received before the program closed.
- Projects submitted without a linked investor, including attempts to transfer an existing investor application to a new project.
- Projects submitted outside the post-closure timeframe.
- Projects that appear to be outside the scope of the program.
The page says priority was given either because of the length of time the applications had been on hand or because a decision could be issued quickly. If you already have an application in the system, only an Irish solicitor can tell you where you stand. The public sources here describe categories, not individual cases.
Is There Still a Donation Route?
A 2026 article says investor-based residency is still available through charitable donations to pre-approved projects, which are largely oversubscribed, with a €2 million net worth requirement and a €400,000 donation. Treat this as a narrow, unconfirmed route.
The Fragomen article of 24 April 2026 says:
- Current route: Investor-based residency remains available through charitable donations to pre-approved projects.
- Demand: The projects are largely oversubscribed.
- Eligibility: A €2 million individual net worth and the ability to donate €400,000.
- Outlook: It is unclear whether 2026 will be the program’s final year.
- Opportunity: The volume of applicants before and after closure is expected to create significant donation opportunities in 2026.
This sits oddly with the closure date. The best reading is that the program is closed to new applications in the ordinary sense, while a limited donation channel for pre-approved projects continues. The article does not say how a new investor would enter that channel, so do not assume you can. Ask an Irish solicitor in writing whether any slot exists for your case before you move money.
Which Routes Remain for Workers and Founders?
Employment permits remain the practical route, and the salary thresholds rose on 1 March 2026. The Critical Skills permit now needs €40,904 with a relevant degree.
A January 2026 law firm article gives these minimum annual remuneration figures, effective 1 March 2026:
| Permit | Old minimum | New minimum |
| Critical Skills, with a relevant degree | €38,000 | €40,904 |
| Critical Skills, without a degree but with experience | €64,000 | €68,911 |
| General, standard | €34,000 | €36,605 |
| General, lower-paid sectors | €30,000 | €32,691 |
The article adds that non-EEA graduates of Irish third-level institutions who graduated within the previous 12 months face lower thresholds: €34,009 for General permits and €36,848 for Critical Skills permits. From 2027 to 2030, thresholds will be reviewed annually against average weekly earnings data. The article does not mention a start-up entrepreneur program, so this guide does not describe one.
These routes reward a job offer, not a payment. Compare them with the skilled worker options in our UK work visa guide, our Canada work visa guide and our US work visa guide.
What Should Existing Investors and Applicants Check?
Existing investors should check their renewal conditions, their yearly visit and the status of any project they funded. The public sources describe the rules in general terms only.
The January 2024 report says approved projects and applicants remain monitored for delivery and compliance, and that approved applicants must still meet specific conditions to renew their immigration permission. That means an approval is not the end of the story. Keep these records in one folder:
- The approval letter and the project name.
- Proof of the investment or donation and the date it was made.
- Your permission card and its expiry date.
- Travel records that show a visit to Ireland in each 12-month period.
- Any letters about the project, such as requests for extra funding.
If a project you funded has stalled, the January 2024 report says approved projects that stalled were among those to be examined next. Ask the project manager and your solicitor for written updates, and keep a copy of every reply. Our visa documents checklist tool helps you keep these papers in one place, and the visa processing time calculator helps you plan around waits.
How Does Ireland Compare With Other Closed Routes?
Ireland, the UK and Spain all closed investor routes after rising criticism, but Ireland left a narrow donation channel, while the others replaced theirs with skills-based visas. The pattern matters for planning.
The UK closed its Tier 1 route in 2022, Spain closed its property route in April 2025, and Australia closed its business program in July 2024. In each case the closure came quickly. Ireland’s came with one day’s notice. The lesson for any applicant is to treat an investor route as a window that can shut, not a permanent product. If you want to live and work abroad, a route based on a job or a skill is steadier, because it does not depend on a government keeping a program open. If you want to compare open programs, see our UAE golden visa, Greece golden visa and Italy golden visa guides.
What About Irish Citizenship?
The government approved changes in November 2025 to tighten and clarify citizenship criteria, including a definition of good character, but the timing is not set. Do not plan around a fixed date.
The January 2026 article says the Minister received government approval to amend legislation and that the amendments would define “good character,” one of the statutory conditions for citizenship. It gives no timing for the legislative changes and says more detail is expected through 2026. The investor program never promised a passport, and these changes show that the rules around citizenship can tighten.
How Do You Spot an Ireland Golden Visa Scam?
Be careful with any seller who offers an Irish golden visa for a payment or an investment, because the program closed in February 2023. Always check with the Irish authorities.
Be careful when a seller:
- Promises an Irish golden visa or investor visa for a set sum.
- Claims the program has reopened or has a special slot.
- Offers a place in a pre-approved donation project without naming it.
- Asks you to pay before checking eligibility.
- Guarantees approval or a processing date.
Only the Irish authorities decide applications. If someone offers you a donation slot, ask for the project name, the approval and the contact details of the authority, and verify them yourself.
What Mistakes Cause Problems?
Using old guides, assuming the route is open and skipping legal advice cause most problems. Check each point first.
- Planning around the €1 million or €500,000 options that closed in 2023.
- Treating the donation route as open without written confirmation.
- Ignoring the yearly visit rule for existing permission holders.
- Using a guide written before February 2023.
- Missing the 1 March 2026 rise in employment permit salaries.
- Forgetting US tax reporting duties if you move from the United States.
- Relying on secondary sources instead of Irish authorities.
- Paying an agent who promises approval.
When unsure, use the official source and an Irish solicitor. For other countries, compare our guides to the Germany golden visa, the Canada golden visa, the US golden visa, the Malta golden visa and the Singapore golden visa.
FAQs
Is there an Ireland golden visa?
Not as an open program. The Immigrant Investor Programme closed on 14 February 2023, according to a January 2024 report.
How much did the old Ireland investor visa require?
At least €1 million held for three years, a €500,000 donation or a €400,000 joint donation, per a January 2024 report.
Can I still get residence by donation?
A 2026 article says donations to pre-approved projects exist but are largely oversubscribed. Get written confirmation from an Irish solicitor.
Do existing investors have to live in Ireland?
No. A 2026 article says physical residence is not required, but they must visit at least once in every 12 months.
How many applications were approved?
Data from June 2023 shows 1,788 applications approved and €1.293 billion invested, according to a January 2024 report.
What are the new employment permit salary levels?
From 1 March 2026, Critical Skills with a degree needs €40,904, and General standard needs €36,605, per a January 2026 article.
Conclusion
The Ireland golden visa closed on 14 February 2023, and the only investor path described in 2026 is a narrow donation route to pre-approved projects. Most people should look at employment permits, where salary thresholds rose on 1 March 2026. Get written confirmation of any donation slot, use an Irish solicitor and avoid anyone who sells a golden visa as an open product.
