By Visavlog Editor | December 3, 2025
If you hold a passport from a European Union (EU) member state—such as Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, or Poland—and you have chosen to make Ireland your home, you possess one of the most powerful immigration privileges available in Europe. While the rules for standard work permit holders are becoming increasingly restrictive, as noted in our recent analysis of Ireland is Changing its Immigration Policies, EU citizens operate under a completely different set of laws known as EU Treaty Rights (Directive 2004/38/EC).
A common question we receive at Visavlog is whether an EU citizen living in Ireland can bring their extended family, specifically brothers and sisters, to join them. The short answer is yes, it is possible, but it is not an automatic right like it is for a spouse or child. The process for siblings falls under the “Permitted Family Member” category, which has a much higher burden of proof regarding financial dependency. This detailed guide will explain the entire procedure from A to Z, clarifying the requirements for 2026 and how to avoid the common mistakes that lead to visa rejections.
1. Who is an Eligible Sponsor? (Exercising Treaty Rights)
Before you can sponsor anyone, you must establish your own status in Ireland. Holding an EU passport is not enough; you must be “exercising your rights” in the state. This means you cannot simply move to Dublin and remain unemployed while bringing family over. To be an eligible sponsor in 2026, you must fall into one of the following four categories:
- Worker: You are employed under a contract. This can be full-time or part-time, as long as the work is genuine and effective, not marginal or ancillary.
- Self-Employed: You are running your own business, registered for tax with Revenue, and actively trading.
- Student: You are enrolled in a recognized educational institution and have comprehensive sickness insurance for yourself and your family.
- Self-Sufficient: You are not working, but you have sufficient financial resources (savings or pension) to ensure that you and your family do not become a burden on Ireland’s social assistance system, plus you hold private health insurance.
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2. The Two Categories of Family Members
The Irish Department of Justice divides family members into two distinct groups. Understanding which group your relative belongs to is critical because the legal test for approval is different for each.
Category A: Qualifying Family Members (The Automatic Right) These are immediate family members. If you prove the relationship and your activity in Ireland, the government generally must grant them residence. This applies to your legal spouse or civil partner, your direct descendants (children or grandchildren) who are under 21, and your direct dependent ascendants (parents or grandparents). For example, if you are a Spanish citizen working in Cork, bringing your Pakistani spouse and minor children is a straightforward administrative process, unlike the complex Ireland Family Reunification Visa 2026 rules that apply to non-EU workers.
Category B: Permitted Family Members (The Sibling Challenge) This is the category for brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, and de facto partners (unmarried partners). Unlike spouses, siblings do not have an automatic right to reside in Ireland with you. The Minister for Justice “may” grant them residence, but you must prove they meet strict criteria. To bring a sibling, you must prove one of the following:
- Dependency: That they are financially dependent on you in their home country (e.g., Pakistan or India) and have been for a significant period.
- Membership of Household: That they were a member of your household in the country you came from.
- Health Grounds: That they strictly require your personal care due to serious health issues.
3. The “Dependency” Test for Siblings
This is where 90% of applications for brothers and sisters fail. In the eyes of Irish immigration law, “dependency” does not just mean sending a little pocket money for Eid or Diwali. You must prove that the financial support you provide is essential for their basic living needs.
To qualify in 2026, you must show a paper trail dating back at least 12 to 24 months. You need to provide money transfer receipts (Western Union, MoneyGram, Bank Transfers) showing regular monthly payments. Furthermore, you must prove that your sibling has no other income or that their income is insufficient to sustain them without your help. If your brother is working in Pakistan, or if he is married and supporting his own family, he will likely not be considered “dependent” on you, even if you send him money. The dependency must be real, factual, and strictly necessary for their survival.
4. Financial Requirements for the Sponsor
One of the biggest advantages of EU Treaty Rights is the absence of a hard salary threshold. For standard work permits, sponsors often need to earn over €30,000 or €40,000 to bring family. Under EU law, there is no fixed figure. You simply need to show that your income is enough to support your family without claiming social welfare payments (like Jobseeker’s Allowance). A full-time job at minimum wage is often sufficient to sponsor a spouse, though sponsoring a dependent sibling might require a slightly higher income to prove you can actually afford to support an extra adult in Ireland.
5. The Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: The Visa Application (Join Family – EU Treaty Rights) If your family member is from a visa-required country (like India, Pakistan, or Nigeria), they cannot just fly to Dublin. They must first apply for a Short Stay ‘C’ Visa at the Irish Embassy in their home country. They must select “Join Family – EU Treaty Rights” as the reason. This visa is usually issued free of charge or for a minimal administration fee, which is a major benefit compared to the high fees discussed in our UK vs Canada Immigration comparison.
Step 2: Entry and Registration Once the visa is granted, they travel to Ireland. At the border, they inform the immigration officer they are joining their EU family member. They will typically be given a temporary entry stamp (usually 90 days).
Step 3: Applying for Residence (Form E1 or E2) Once inside Ireland, you must submit a formal application to the EU Treaty Rights Division. For a spouse or child, you use Form E1. For a sibling or extended family member, you use Form E2. This form is extensive and requires you to submit your P60s, payslips, proof of address, and the critical proof of dependency for siblings.
Step 4: Temporary Stamp 4 This is the best part of the process. Once the application is received and initial checks are done, the applicant is usually granted a “Temporary Stamp 4” letter. This allows them to live and work in Ireland immediately while the final decision is being made. They do not need a separate work permit. They can work for any employer.
Step 5: The Final Decision For qualifying family members (spouses), the decision is usually quick (within 6 months). For permitted family members (siblings), the investigation is deeper and can take longer. If approved, they receive a “Residence Card of a Family Member of a Union Citizen” (Stamp 4 EU FAM), valid for 5 years.
6. Avoiding Common Pitfalls in 2026
As migration checks tighten across Europe, including the new Europe to Launch its Digital Border Control System, Irish authorities are looking closely for “Sham Marriages” and fake dependency claims. Never attempt to use false documents or fake money transfers. If you claim your brother is dependent on you, but his bank statements show other sources of income, the application will be refused, and it may affect your own status.
For the most accurate and official forms, always refer to the Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) Treaty Rights Section.
