Spouse of Irish vs De Facto Partner: which Irish visa is right for you?
Two routes to join an Irish national: as a married spouse or civil partner, or as a de facto partner - the evidence of relationship and the qualifying period differ.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Join Spouse/Civil Partner of an Irish National (Spouse of Irish) | De Facto Partner of an Irish National (De Facto Partner) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Family residence | Family residence |
| Who it's for | Non-EEA spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens who want to live with them in Ireland. | Non-EEA unmarried partners in a committed relationship with an Irish citizen seeking to live together in Ireland. |
| Government cost | ~€60/€100 visa if required; ~€300 IRP card | ~€60/€100 visa if required; ~€300 IRP card |
| Processing time | ~6 months (ISD spouse/partner decision) | ~6 months (ISD partner decision) |
| Length of stay | Stamp 4 granted, typically up to 5 years, renewable | Stamp 4 granted, typically up to 5 years, renewable |
| Where to apply | Online (AVATS) if visa-required; then apply to ISD for permission | Online (AVATS) if visa-required; then apply to ISD |
| Work rights | Work or run a business without an employment permit | Work or run a business without an employment permit |
| Pathway to PR | Stamp 4 leads to long term residence and citizenship after the required reckonable residence. | Stamp 4 leads to long term residence and citizenship over time. |
Which is right for you?
Join Spouse/Civil Partner of an Irish National (Spouse of Irish)
Non-EEA spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens who want to live with them in Ireland.
Full Spouse of Irish guide →De Facto Partner of an Irish National (De Facto Partner)
Non-EEA unmarried partners in a committed relationship with an Irish citizen seeking to live together in Ireland.
Full De Facto Partner guide →Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Spouse of Irish or De Facto Partner?
On indicative 2025-26 government costs, Join Spouse/Civil Partner of an Irish National (Spouse of Irish) is the lowest at ~€60/€100 visa if required; ~€300 IRP card. Government fees change periodically - confirm before applying.
Which is processed faster, Spouse of Irish or De Facto Partner?
Indicatively Join Spouse/Civil Partner of an Irish National (Spouse of Irish) is the quickest at ~6 months (ISD spouse/partner decision). Actual timeframes depend on caseload and how complete your application is.
What's the main difference between Spouse of Irish and De Facto Partner?
Join Spouse/Civil Partner of an Irish National (Spouse of Irish) is for non-EEA spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens who want to live with them in Ireland. De Facto Partner of an Irish National (De Facto Partner) is for non-EEA unmarried partners in a committed relationship with an Irish citizen seeking to live together in Ireland.