Irish citizens resident in the UK are automatically considered "settled", and any children born to them in the United Kingdom continue to be British citizens at birth. After Brexit Irish citizens retained their entitlement to enter, live, and work in the UK after the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020. Rights and privileges Irish citizens are exempted from obtaining a visa or entry certificate when entering the United Kingdom and do not require approval to live or work there. They are not considered foreign nationals and are entitled to certain rights similar to those of Commonwealth citizens. These include exemption from registration with local police, voting eligibility in UK and EU elections, and the ability to enlist in the British Armed Forces. They are also eligible to serve in non-reserved Civil Service posts, be granted British honours, receive peerages, and sit in the House of Lords. Additionally, Irish citizens may stand for election to the House of Commons and local government. Irish citizens born before 1949 may make formal claims at any time to retain status as British subjects based on: Crown service in the UK, existing passports or certificates of entitlement describing holders as British subjects, or proof of other associations with the UK or any former British territory. British subject status claimed in connection with Ireland additionally grants holders right of abode in the UK, eligibility to serve in reserved government positions, and the right to apply for British passports. While Irish citizens have no preferred path to citizenship, British subjects may become British citizens by registration, rather than naturalisation. However, both registration and naturalisation have the same residence requirement of five years before individuals may qualify to apply through either process. References Sources Ireland Immigration to the United Kingdom Irish nationality law Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations Ireland–United Kingdom relations