Ireland STEP & IIP (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Irish Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) closed to new applicants at close of business 15 February 2023 — ISD is working through ~1,500 applications on hand and monitoring approved projects. The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) remains live for non-EEA founders of innovative export-oriented businesses with funding of at least €50,000 (€30,000 each for co-founders).
STEP approval is a Stamp 4 route for the principal and immediate family — full work rights, no employment permit needed. Initial 2-year Stamp 4, renewable for 3 years subject to viability, then 5-year increments. Citizenship follows the ordinary s.15 rules (no preferential naturalisation). Application fee: €350 per family unit, non-refundable.
When does it apply?
This applies when:
- You are a non-EEA/Swiss founder with an innovative, export-oriented business plan
- You meet the HPSU criteria (new/innovative product or service; capable of 10 jobs + €1M sales within 3–4 years; experienced management; Ireland-headquartered; under 6 years old)
- You can evidence €50,000 in funding (or €30,000 per subsequent co-founder) from personal funds, loan, angel, VC, or State agency grant
IIP — CLOSED to new applications: only existing files and approved projects are live. Historic requirements: non-EEA national; minimum personal net worth €2 million; €1 million enterprise investment for 3 years OR €500,000 endowment (€400,000 joint). No wind-down end-date is published.
STEP — LIVE:
- Innovative and export-oriented (no retail, catering, personal services, or domestic-only).
- HPSU criteria: new/innovative, 10 jobs + €1M sales in 3–4 years, experienced management, Ireland-HQ and controlled, under 6 years old.
- Funding: €50,000 principal; €30,000 per subsequent co-founder.
- Good character; no criminal convictions in any jurisdiction; private health insurance; no recourse to public funds.
- No Russian or Belarusian nationals (guidance in force since 2023).
Outcome: Stamp 4 for principal + immediate family (spouse/civil partner/partner, dependent children under 18, in some cases 18–24). Initial 2 years, renewable 3 years subject to viability, then 5-year increments.
Cost: STEP €350 per family unit, non-refundable. IRP €300 per person. IIP ~€1,500 historic fee; status unclear as of 23 April 2026 for residual wind-down fees.
Processing: STEP Evaluation Committee meets quarterly — realistic first-decision time 3–6 months plus residence-permission issuance. IIP wind-down: no published timeframe.
What to Do If You Want to Move to Ireland as a Start-up Entrepreneur
Step 1 — Prepare a detailed business plan evidencing the HPSU criteria (innovation, export orientation, 10 jobs + €1M in 3–4 years, management team, Ireland-HQ, under 6 years old).
Step 2 — Compile supporting documents: passport, evidence of €50,000 funding and source, bank letter confirming transferability, police certificates for every country lived in 6+ months over the last 10 years, CVs, qualifications, health insurance, family documents.
Step 3 — Submit by email to [email protected] with application form, business plan, and supporting documents.
Step 4 — Pay €350 by EFT (covers the principal and all nominated family; non-refundable).
Step 5 — Quarterly Evaluation Committee (senior public/civil servants, with Enterprise Ireland input) reviews and may request further information. The Committee recommends; the Minister for Justice takes the final decision.
Step 6 — On approval, transfer funds to an Irish financial institution regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland; provide an affidavit of good character.
Step 7 — Register with ISD for the IRP card (Stamp 4; €300 per person).
Step 8 — Renewals: 2 years initially, 3-year renewal subject to viability, then 5-year increments.
What should you NOT do?
Don't submit a non-innovative or domestic-only proposal. Retail, hospitality, personal services and domestic-only concepts are excluded — €50,000 alone is not enough.
Don't fail the funding-provenance test. Missing Central-Bank-regulated institution letter or unclear transferability leads to refusal.
Don't lobby or canvass. STEP Guidelines state this disqualifies the applicant and project.
Don't expect an appeal. STEP refusals are final — only reapplication from scratch.
Don't breach Stamp 4 conditions. STEP Stamp 4 requires full-time work on the named business only; no other employment; no recourse to public funds; private health insurance maintained.
Don't assume STEP accelerates citizenship. Ordinary s.15 naturalisation rules apply — 5-of-9-year reckonable residence and the continuous year.
Don't file a new IIP application. It will be rejected at triage. IIP is closed to new applicants.
About Immigration Pathways in Ireland
If you're applying to work or live in Ireland, the Immigration Act 2004, the Employment Permits Act 2024, and the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 set the rules. ISD runs visas and IRP cards (€300 fee under SI 421/2025); DETE runs employment permits through EPOS. The two main work routes are the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit, with MAR thresholds rising in 2026 and every permit salary needing to meet €14.15/hour. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals enter freely under SI 548/2015. Track IRP expiry — overstaying ends in a section 3 deportation notice.
Common Questions
Is the Irish Immigrant Investor Programme still open?
No. The IIP closed to new applicants at close of business on 15 February 2023. ISD is working through roughly 1,500 existing applications and monitoring approved projects. A new IIP application will be rejected at triage. The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) remains open.
How much funding do I need for Ireland's STEP?
At least €50,000 for the principal founder, plus €30,000 for each subsequent co-founder. The business must meet High Potential Start-Up criteria: new or innovative, export-oriented, capable of creating 10 jobs and €1 million in sales within 3-4 years, experienced management, Ireland-headquartered, and under 6 years old. Retail, hospitality, personal services, and domestic-only ideas are excluded.
What does STEP approval give me in Ireland?
Stamp 4 for the principal founder and immediate family — full work rights, no employment permit needed. Initial 2 years, renewable for 3 years subject to business viability, then 5-year increments. The application fee is €350 per family unit, non-refundable. Russian and Belarusian nationals are excluded under ISD guidance in force since 2023.
What is the investor & start-up entrepreneur programmes right in Ireland?
The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) closed to new applicants at close of business 15 February 2023 — ISD is working through ~1,500 applications on hand and monitoring approved projects. The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) remains live for non-EEA founders of innovative export-oriented businesses with funding of at least €50,000 (€30,000 each for co-founders).STEP approval is a Stamp 4 route for the principal and immediate family — full work rights, no employment permit needed. Initial 2-year Stamp 4, renewable for 3 years subject to viability, then 5-year increments. Citizenship foll...
When does it apply — investor & start-up entrepreneur programmes?
This applies when:You are a non-EEA/Swiss founder with an innovative, export-oriented business planYou meet the HPSU criteria (new/innovative product or service; capable of 10 jobs + €1M sales within 3–4 years; experienced management; Ireland-headquartered; under 6 years old)You can evidence €50,000 in funding (or €30,000 per subsequent co-founder) from personal funds, loan, angel, VC, or State agency grantIIP — CLOSED to new applications: only existing files and approved projects are live. Historic requirements: non-EEA national; minimum personal net worth €2 million; €1 million enterprise in...
What should I do if I want to set up an innovative export business in Ireland under STEP?
Step 1 — Prepare a detailed business plan evidencing the HPSU criteria (innovation, export orientation, 10 jobs + €1M in 3–4 years, management team, Ireland-HQ, under 6 years old).Step 2 — Compile supporting documents: passport, evidence of €50,000 funding and source, bank letter confirming transferability, police certificates for every country lived in 6+ months over the last 10 years, CVs, qualifications, health insurance, family documents.Step 3 — Submit by email to [email protected] with application form, business plan, and supporting documents.Step 4 — Pay €350 by EFT (covers the princip...
What should you NOT do — investor & start-up entrepreneur programmes?
Don't submit a non-innovative or domestic-only proposal. Retail, hospitality, personal services and domestic-only concepts are excluded — €50,000 alone is not enough.Don't fail the funding-provenance test. Missing Central-Bank-regulated institution letter or unclear transferability leads to refusal.Don't lobby or canvass. STEP Guidelines state this disqualifies the applicant and project.Don't expect an appeal. STEP refusals are final — only reapplication from scratch.Don't breach Stamp 4 conditions. STEP Stamp 4 requires full-time work on the named business only; no other employment; no recour...