Ireland officially closed its Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP), often called the “Golden Visa” route, in February 2023. But here’s the interesting part, investor-based Irish residency is still possible in limited cases.

The programme was originally launched in 2012 to attract foreign investment after the financial crisis. It brought nearly €1.25 billion to sectors such as healthcare, housing, education, and sports.

Now, high-net-worth individuals can still explore residency options through approved charitable donation projects linked to healthcare and education. Most investment projects are already oversubscribed, making donation routes the more realistic option.

Experts say 2026 could be the final opportunity for investors hoping to secure Irish residence through the remaining IIP pathways.