✅ Irish passport holders – You are simply returning home.
✅ EU passport holders – Your move is covered by the EU Freedom of Movement Act.
✅ British passport holders – You are covered under the Common Travel Area (CTA) and the Good Friday Agreement (separate from EU laws).

Rules for EU/EEA Passport Holders Staying Over 3 Months

An EU/EEA citizen can stay in Ireland beyond 3 months if they:

• Are employed or self-employed in Ireland.

• Have sufficient financial resources to avoid relying on social assistance and have comprehensive health insurance.

• Are enrolled in an accredited educational program and meet financial and have comprehensive health insurance.

⚠️ If any family member holds only a South African passport, you must follow specific immigration rules.

Examples:

• Both parents have EU passports, but children are South African – Immigration paperwork required.

• Irish citizen with a South African spouse – Immigration paperwork required.

• Whole family is British except 1 member who is South African only – Pre-clearance  application needed.

• Some family members have either or both: Irish and South African Passports
  
  
• Some family members have either or both: British and South African Passports
  
  
• Some family members have either or both: EU and South African Passports

Travel Requirements for South Africans with Irish, British, or EU Passports

If you were born in South Africa or obtained South African citizenship (through naturalization or other means), you must have a South African passport to leave South Africa.

How to Check If You Need a South African Passport

✅ Look at your South African ID Book – If it states “South African Citizen” on the front page, you must apply for a South African passport.
✅ Check your foreign passport – If it lists South Africa as your birthplace, South African immigration could ask for your SA passport when entering or leaving the country.

📌 Apply for an SA passport at your local Home Affairs office.

Dual Citizenship & Passport Regulations

📢 South African citizens must enter and exit SA using their South African passport.
📢 Foreign passports can be used freely outside SA, but not at SA immigration control.
📢 Applying for a foreign passport? You may need permission from Home Affairs, depending on how and when you obtained foreign citizenship.

DO I NEED RETENTION OF SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENSHIP? Click here

Legal Requirement Under the South African Citizenship Amendment Act (2004)

⚠️ It is a criminal offence for a South African citizen 18 years or older to enter or leave South Africa using a foreign passport.

📄 Download the Citizenship Act 2004 for full details.