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Explanatory note

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations bring the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 (c. 19) (“the Act”) into force on 22nd July 2025.

Regulation 2 brings into force the entirety of the Act, which introduces section 4AA to the British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61) (“the BNA 1981”). The purpose of the Act is to create a separate route to British citizenship for all Irish citizens who are resident in the UK for a period of five years ending with the date of application. The new provisions introduced to the BNA 1981 by the Act enable Irish citizens to apply to register as British citizens, in a simpler manner than applying for naturalisation.