Asylum and international protection in Ireland

International protection, also called asylum, covers refugee status and subsidiary protection. It is for people who cannot return to their country of origin because they fear persecution or face a real risk of serious harm, and whose own authorities cannot or will not protect them. The IPO, part of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, assesses each claim individually under Irish and EU law.

Applications made before 12 June 2026 continue under the International Protection Act 2015, with appeals to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT).

The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR), which replaces the Dublin system under the Pact, decides which EU+ country examines a claim. Every applicant is guaranteed an examination by one EU+ country but cannot choose which one; Eurodac fingerprint data help establish responsibility and trace family members.

1. Registration and lodging at Citywest: fingerprints and photo for Eurodac, identity and travel documents, family members in Ireland or other EU+ countries, contact details, possible search of belongings, a medical check and a vulnerability assessment. People who entered irregularly first go through mandatory screening. 2. Where relevant, an admissibility examination of up to 2 months checks, for example, whether you already have protection elsewhere, can be readmitted to a safe country, or applied more than 7 days after a return decision.

3. A personal interview where you explain why you left and why you fear return; missing it without a serious reason means the claim is treated as withdrawn. 4. A written decision by the IPO, in a language you understand; a negative decision includes a return decision.

The 2026 Act sets binding time frames: 6 months for a first-instance decision in the standard procedure, no more than 3 months in the accelerated procedure, and 3 months in total for the border procedure, covering the first decision, the appeal and the return decision.

Applicants are entitled to reception supports, including accommodation through the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), health care, a free interpreter at registration and interview, free legal counselling, and a free legal representative from the Legal Aid Board on request. You may contact UNHCR and other organisations.

You must cooperate, attend interviews, keep the IPO informed of your address, keep copies of all documents and not travel to another EU+ country or the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, without permission. Working is not allowed unless you obtain permission after 5 months without a decision.

The Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals hears appeals against inadmissibility decisions, refusals of refugee status only, refusals of both refugee and subsidiary protection status, declarations of implicit withdrawal and return decisions under sections 216 and 218 of the 2026 Act. The appeal and any request to remain must be made within the period stated in the decision, and a free legal representative can be requested from the Legal Aid Board.

The IPO Applicant Portal shows the status of your case and lets you upload documents. The IPO website lists the Legal Aid Board, the TARA and IPAT appeal portals, IPAS accommodation services, voluntary return support and UNHCR Ireland. Unaccompanied children have a dedicated information page and are assigned representatives.