Advantages of the Common Travel Area Agreement Between the UK and Ireland

Release time：

2024-10-10

Ireland and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which emphasizes their continued commitment to the Common Travel Area (CTA). This official agreement safeguards the rights of UK and Irish citizens to travel, live, and work freely in each other’s countries, building on agreements that have existed for nearly a century.

The CTA between the UK and Ireland predates the European Union, having been established in the 1920s.

Shortly after Ireland gained independence from the UK in 1923, the two governments established the CTA to ensure ease of travel and preserve the strong cultural and familial ties between the two nations.

This new MoU ensures that post-Brexit, Irish citizens will enjoy rights in the UK that go beyond those afforded to other EU citizens. While Brexit brings about significant changes for UK citizens and their ability to live and travel within the EU, this agreement guarantees that the special arrangements between the UK and Ireland will remain in place.

Who Benefits from the Common Travel Area?

The Common Travel Area includes the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.

Rights of Residency

Within the CTA, there are no border checks, and citizens from any of the member areas can travel freely, as well as live, work, and study in any part of the zone. They also enjoy the same rights as local residents, including access to education, healthcare, and voting. For instance, UK students can attend Irish universities, Irish retirees can settle in the UK, and UK nationals can pursue career opportunities in Ireland.

In the eyes of the UK government, Irish citizens are treated distinctly from other EU citizens. They automatically enjoy full citizenship rights in the UK without being subject to immigration policies. Children born in the UK to at least one Irish parent also automatically gain British citizenship. While Brexit may alter the status of other EU citizens living in the UK, it will not affect Irish residents.

This explains why there has been a rising interest in the Irish investment immigration program, particularly among those looking to relocate to the UK. Since its introduction in 2012, this program has seen steady growth, with a record 422 approvals in 2018, marking six consecutive years of increasing numbers. As the official Brexit date approaches, many UK citizens seeking to retain their EU citizenship are applying for Irish passports, leading to a surge in demand. Between 2018 and 2019 alone, 452 individuals applied for Irish immigration, according to available data.

What Are the Benefits of Irish Citizenship?

As a member of the European Union, Ireland offers its citizens the freedom to live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU member states. In addition, due to Ireland’s unique position, Irish citizens enjoy the triple advantage of seamless access to the UK, Ireland, and the EU, even after Brexit.

With the surge in applications for Irish citizenship, timing is crucial for those considering immigration. UK citizens are already eligible to apply for Irish passports, and Ireland is expecting a further increase in applications. We advise potential investors to act quickly. As the value of an Irish passport continues to rise, so does the number of applicants.

About Ireland

Ireland is an English-speaking nation and ranks as the fifth wealthiest country globally by GDP per capita. It is recognized for its world-class education system, making it a prime destination for families seeking excellent schooling from primary through secondary education, as well as promising employment opportunities post-graduation.

Since the UK’s decision to leave the EU, the Irish passport remains the only one that guarantees the holder the ability to travel freely across both the UK and the EU. This has led to a significant increase in applications from UK nationals, with over 100,000 applying for Irish passports within a year following the Brexit referendum.

Ireland’s appeal extends far beyond education. With its attractive corporate tax rate, Ireland has become the European headquarters for many of the world’s top multinational corporations, including several Fortune 500 companies. The country is home to 9 of the world’s top 10 software companies, all of the top 10 global internet companies, 6 of the top 7 medical device companies, and 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, half of the world’s leading banks and financial institutions have operations in Ireland.

Ireland’s corporate tax rate of 12.5% is notably competitive, even lower than that of traditional tax havens like Hong Kong and Singapore. Furthermore, the Irish government has committed to maintaining its current tax policies until at least 2025, making it the only government in the world to offer such a long-term guarantee.

From an investor’s perspective, Ireland offers an attractive blend of high-quality education, access to multinational corporations, and abundant employment opportunities. This makes it an appealing destination for those looking to secure a bright future for their children, both in terms of education and lucrative career prospects after graduation.