Newly obtained figures from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs show that annual Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications from residents of Great Britain rose from 23,456 in 2024 to 26,083 in 2025, an increase of approximately 11%. The 2025 figure was the highest annual total in the 2013–2025 figures.
2013: 682 applications
2014: 740 applications
2015: 873 applications
2016: 2,611 applications
2017: 8,490 applications
2018: 12,490 applications
2019: 21,504 applications
2020: 9,912 applications
2021: 6,753 applications
2022: 15,573 applications
2023: 20,413 applications
2024: 23,456 applications
2025: 26,083 applications
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the figures are based on applicants’ country or region of residence. The Great Britain figures therefore represent applications from people residing in Great Britain.
Foreign Birth Registration is a process through which some people born outside Ireland may pursue Irish citizenship based on their ancestry. Once a person is entered onto Ireland’s Foreign Births Register, they become an Irish citizen and may apply for an Irish passport.
Irish citizens have the right to live and work in Ireland and throughout the European Union.
Journalists and other members of the media may request supporting materials, including the official response letter provided to Irish By Descent by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, by emailing outreach@irishbydescent.com. Please identify your publication or media organization when contacting us.
Irish By Descent, LLC is an online education company based in the Washington, D.C. area. The company provides practical guidance on Foreign Birth Registration and related genealogy research. Irish By Descent, LLC is not affiliated with the Government of Ireland or any Irish government agency.
