Business & investor visas
Irish Immigrant Investor Programme (Closed)
Ireland's former residency-by-investment programme, now closed to new applications since February 2023; it once offered residence to non-EEA investors who backed approved Irish projects.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
IMPORTANT: The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) is CLOSED to new applications from 15 February 2023 per the official announcement by Minister Harris. The investment thresholds below (€1 million enterprise/fund, €2 million REIT, €500,000 endowment / €400,000 for 5+ applicants, €2 million minimum personal wealth, 3-year minimum hold) are drawn from the historic 2022 IIP guidelines and are provided as historical/reference detail only — they should not be presented as a currently open route. Verify current status before publishing.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Ireland government website before you apply.
On this page
- Official name
- Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)
- Route type
- Former residency-by-investment programme (Immigration Service Delivery)
- Status
- Closed to new applications from 15 February 2023
- Existing applications
- Applications on hand at closure continue to be processed; approved investors are unaffected
- Current status
- Closed to new applications (since 15 Feb 2023)
- The Government closed the IIP to new applications from 15 February 2023. Closure does not affect projects or individuals already approved.
- Minimum personal wealth (historic)
- €2 million
- Under the former guidelines applicants had to be high net worth individuals with personal wealth of at least €2 million.
- Minimum investment (historic)
- From €500,000 to €2 million by option
- Thresholds varied by investment type; funds had to be held for a minimum of 3 years.
- Minimum hold period (historic)
- 3 years
- Investments (other than the endowment) had to be maintained for at least three years.
Who it is for
- No longer open to new applicants
- Relevant only to investors already approved, or with applications submitted before the 15 February 2023 closure
Current status
- Closed following concerns raised by the EU Commission, Council of Europe and OECD about investor-migration schemes
- No new or additional submissions or administrative reviews are accepted
- Existing approvals remain valid and on-hand applications continue to be decided in order
Alternatives to consider
- The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) for innovative business founders
- Employment permit routes (Critical Skills or General Employment Permit) for skilled workers
Investment options (historic guidelines)
- Enterprise investment: a minimum of €1 million invested in an Irish enterprise for at least three years.
- Investment fund: a minimum of €1 million invested in an approved fund regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, for at least three years.
- Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT): a minimum of €2 million invested in an Irish REIT listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, for at least three years.
- Endowment: a minimum €500,000 philanthropic donation to a project of public benefit in the arts, sports, health, culture or education (reduced to €400,000 where five or more applications are pooled) — the endowment is a donation and is not repaid.
Requirements (historic guidelines)
- Be a high net worth individual with personal wealth of at least €2 million.
- Show that the investment funds were lawfully acquired and owned by the applicant.
- Be of good character with no criminal convictions in any jurisdiction.
- Commit the investment or endowment before residence permission was granted.
Frequently asked questions
No. The programme was closed to new applications from 15 February 2023. Only applications made before that date and already-approved investors are unaffected.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.