Residence Document – Family of UK Nationals (Withdrawal
Agreement)

Before Brexit, non-EEA family members of UK nationals living in Ireland held EU residence cards (Stamp 4 EUFam), because UK nationals were EU citizens. The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement protects the rights of those who were living in Ireland under EU free movement rules on 31 December 2020, the end of the transition period. Those covered were asked to swap their old residence card for a new IRP card that records their status under the Agreement. The main exchange window closed on 30 June 2022, and later applications are assessed case by case. To be covered, the UK national must have been living in Ireland and exercising EU rights on or before 31 December 2020, and the family member must have held a valid IRP card and lived in Ireland at that time, and must continue to live here. The Agreement protects their right to live, work and study in Ireland on broadly the same basis as before, and beneficiaries can build up permanent residence. The card no longer gives visa-free travel to other EU countries, so each country's visa rules should be checked before travelling. Family members of UK nationals who moved to Ireland after 31 December 2020 use the separate post-Brexit join family scheme instead.

The post-Brexit join family scheme for UK nationals' family members. See our Join Family – UK National service.

The Withdrawal Agreement protects your right to live, work and study in Ireland on broadly the same basis as before.

The main window has closed, but you may still be able to regularise your status. Contact us so we can look at your history.

Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries can build up permanent residence over time. We'll advise you when you're eligible.

Children under 16 don't register in Ireland. Older children may need their own application, which we can prepare.

Yes, it shows your right to live in Ireland, but it no longer gives visa-free travel to other EU countries, so check their visa rules first.