105,000 Ukrainians are living in Ireland under temporary protection. In February 2026, the government extended it to March 4, 2027 - automatically, no new application needed. Sounds like you can relax. But if you want to work officially, enrol your child in school, confirm your driving experience, or apply for citizenship - you’ll need your Ukrainian documents translated. Let’s break down what exactly needs translating, what the requirements are, and where to find a translator.
Temporary protection in Ireland: what you have right now¶
Temporary Protection under the EU Directive is your main status if you arrived from Ukraine after February 24, 2022. Here’s what it gives you:
- IRP card (Irish Residence Permit) with Stamp 4 - a plastic card with your photo confirming your right to stay in Ireland
- Right to work without a separate employment permit - Stamp 4 gives you this automatically
- PPS number (Personal Public Service number) - your personal number for taxes, social welfare, healthcare. You can’t do anything in Ireland without it
- Access to healthcare, education, and social welfare payments on equal terms with Irish residents
But there’s an important catch: temporary Stamp 4 isn’t the same as regular Stamp 4. It doesn’t count towards residency for a permanent permit or citizenship. So if you’ve been living in Ireland for three years under temporary protection - those three years don’t bring you any closer to an Irish passport.
Extension to March 2027: what changed¶
In February 2026, the Department of Justice announced a one-year extension of temporary protection - to March 4, 2027. Here’s what you need to know:
No application needed. If you have a yellow Temporary Protection Certificate dated before March 4, 2026 - it automatically remains valid until 2027. You can use it as proof of status for your employer, bank, or hospital.
You do need to renew your IRP card. The certificate itself was extended, but you’ll need to get a new plastic IRP card with the updated expiry date. Instructions are on the Immigration Service Delivery website.
Your rights stay the same. Work without a permit, social welfare, healthcare, education - nothing has changed. Your employer just needs to see your certificate or IRP card.
How to stay in Ireland long-term¶
Temporary protection is a temporary solution. If you’re planning to stay long-term, it’s worth thinking about other options now.
Naturalisation (citizenship)¶
To get Irish citizenship through naturalisation, you need to have lived in Ireland for 5 years - but only time on a “full” residence permission counts, not temporary protection. The application fee is €175. You’ll need translated documents - birth certificate, criminal record clearance, proof of identity.
Employment Permit¶
If you have Stamp 4 through temporary protection - you don’t need an employment permit right now. But if protection ends and you want to stay through work - you’ll need a Critical Skills Employment Permit (for IT, medicine, engineering) or a General Employment Permit. Your employer submits the application, and they’ll need your translated diplomas and qualifications.
Study¶
A student visa lets you live in Ireland during your studies. You’ll need: confirmation of enrolment, proof of finances, health insurance. Education documents from Ukraine must be translated into English.
Family reunification¶
If a family member is an Irish citizen or has a residence permit - you can apply for reunification. You’ll need birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of family ties - all translated.
Which documents need translation¶
Here’s the main table - which Ukrainian documents you’ll need and when.
| Document | When needed | Translation language |
|---|---|---|
| Passport / ID card | Registration, IRP, most procedures | English |
| Birth certificate | PPS number, naturalisation, school enrolment | English |
| Marriage / divorce certificate | Status change, family reunification | English |
| Diploma / school certificate | Qualification recognition (QQI NARIC), employment | English |
| Criminal record clearance | Naturalisation, certain jobs | English |
| Driving licence | Confirming driving experience | English |
| Medical documents | When requested by a doctor | English |
| Child’s vaccination records | School enrolment, childcare | English |
Ireland’s official languages are English and Irish (Gaeilge). In practice, everything gets translated into English. Nobody will ask for Irish.
One Ukrainian shared on a forum: “I showed up at the Intreo Centre with my original birth certificate - they told me they couldn’t even scan it without an English translation. Had to scramble to find a translator.” This is a typical situation, and it’s better to prepare in advance.
Translation requirements: Certificate of Accuracy¶
Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD, formerly INIS) has its own rules about translations, and they’re different from German or Polish requirements.
Certified translation. Ireland doesn’t have a “sworn translator” system like Germany or the Netherlands. Instead, the translator must provide a Certificate of Accuracy - a statement of accuracy signed by them personally.
What the Certificate of Accuracy must include: - Translator’s full name and qualifications - Statement of accuracy (“Certified to be a true and accurate translation of the original”) - Date of translation - Language pair (from which language to which) - Translator’s contact details - Professional stamp or signature
Who can translate: Only an independent professional translator. ISD doesn’t accept translations from the applicant themselves, their spouse, or relatives. The translator must be a qualified professional with an established reputation.
Machine translation isn’t accepted. This is explicitly stated on the ISD website: no Google Translate, DeepL, or other automated translators for official documents.
Everything must be translated. All pages of the document, including stamps, seals, and handwritten notes. Partial translations get rejected.
Notarisation usually isn’t required. Unlike Germany, Ireland doesn’t require notarisation of translations for immigration procedures unless ISD specifically requests it for your particular case. The Certificate of Accuracy is sufficient.
Apostille: when you need one¶
Here’s a nuance. For documents from countries outside the EEA (and Ukraine is outside the EEA), ISD requires an apostille. An apostille confirms that the document is genuine and was issued by an official body. It’s obtained in Ukraine: - Education documents - Ministry of Education and Science - Certificates (birth, marriage, divorce) - justice authorities - Criminal record clearance - Ministry of Internal Affairs
Translations done outside the EEA must also be apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country where the translation was made. So if you order a translation in Ukraine - it needs an apostille too. If the translation is done in Ireland or another EEA country - no apostille needed on the translation.
Qualification recognition: QQI and NARIC¶
If you’re planning to work in your profession or apply to an Irish university - you’ll need your Ukrainian diploma recognised. In Ireland, this is handled by QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) through the NARIC database.
The NARIC database already contains 17 Ukrainian qualifications - from school certificates to master’s degrees. If your qualification is in the database - you get a comparability statement showing your Irish employer or university that your diploma corresponds to a certain level on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
To submit a request, you’ll need a translated diploma and transcript. QQI also has a separate guide for Ukrainians in Ukrainian.
Driving licence: what’s the deal¶
While temporary protection is active - you can drive with your Ukrainian licence. Exchanging your Ukrainian licence for an Irish one isn’t currently possible - there’s no agreement between the countries.
If protection ends and you stay in Ireland on a different permit - you’ll need to go through the full Irish licensing process: theory test, then 6 Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons instead of the usual 12, then a practical test. You may need a translated Ukrainian licence to confirm your driving experience.
Full details on the NDLS website.
How much does document translation cost for Ireland¶
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified translation (1 standard page) | €20-47 |
| Birth certificate translation | €25-50 |
| Diploma with transcript translation | €60-150 |
| Notarisation (if required) | €25-50 |
| Solicitor certification (if required) | €10-30 |
| Apostille in Ukraine | 300-500 UAH per document |
| Naturalisation application fee | €175 |
| Realistically (3-4 documents + apostilles) | ~€150-400 |
Prices in Ireland are noticeably lower than in Germany or the Netherlands. There’s no requirement for a sworn translator with a court oath - so there’s more competition among translators, and prices are more affordable.
Rush translations are typically 50-100% more expensive. Complex documents (legal, medical) will also cost more. Before ordering, ask the translator for an exact quote.
If you need a draft translation for reference or to prepare for working with a translator - ChatsControl can do it in minutes.
What to do right now: step by step¶
Step 1: Check your status¶
Make sure you have your Temporary Protection Certificate (yellow paper) and IRP card. If your IRP card has expired - apply for renewal through Immigration Service Delivery.
Step 2: Get your PPS number (if you don’t have one yet)¶
PPS numbers are issued at any Intreo Centre. You’ll need your passport or ID card. For some procedures, they’ll ask for a birth certificate translated into English.
Step 3: Gather your original documents¶
Passport, certificates (birth, marriage), diploma, criminal record clearance. If some are still in Ukraine - reach out to relatives. If documents were lost due to the war - there are restoration procedures.
Step 4: Get apostilles on your originals¶
If your documents don’t have an apostille - arrange this in Ukraine through relatives or intermediaries. This can take 2-4 weeks.
Step 5: Order certified translation¶
Find a qualified translator in Ireland or online. The key thing is that the translation must have a Certificate of Accuracy with all the required details. If the translator works in Ukraine - the translation will also need an apostille.
Step 6: Apply for qualification recognition (if needed)¶
If you’re planning to work in your profession - submit a request to QQI NARIC for a comparability statement.
Common mistakes to avoid¶
“I have Stamp 4 - so I’m on my way to citizenship.” No. Temporary Stamp 4 under the protection programme doesn’t count towards the residency requirement for naturalisation and doesn’t lead to permanent residence. For citizenship, you need 5 years on a “full” residence permission.
Translated documents yourself or asked a friend. ISD doesn’t accept translations from the applicant or their relatives - only from an independent professional translator with a Certificate of Accuracy. Even if your friend is fluent in English.
Forgot about the apostille. Documents from outside the EEA without an apostille aren’t accepted in Ireland for official procedures. Apostille and translation are two separate steps, and both are mandatory.
Brought a notarised translation from Ukraine and thought that was enough. If the translation was done outside the EEA, it also needs an apostille. The simpler option - order the translation in Ireland, then you only need an apostille on the original.
Only translated the “main page” of the document. ISD requires translation of all pages, including stamps, seals, and handwritten notes. Partial translations get rejected.
FAQ¶
Do I need document translations for temporary protection in Ireland?¶
For temporary protection itself - usually no, just show your passport or ID card. But for a PPS number, school enrolment, working in your profession, naturalisation, or other procedures - an English translation is required for any document that isn’t in English or Irish.
How much does certified document translation cost in Ireland?¶
From €20 to €47 per standard page. A birth certificate runs €25-50, a diploma with transcript €60-150. Prices depend on document complexity, language pair, and urgency. Translation in Ireland is cheaper than in Germany or the Netherlands.
Does Ireland accept translations done in Ukraine?¶
Yes, but with a condition: a translation done outside the EEA needs an apostille from Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It’s simpler to order the translation directly in Ireland - then you only need an apostille on the original document.
Do I need a sworn translator for documents in Ireland?¶
No, Ireland doesn’t have a sworn translator system like Germany (beeidigter Übersetzer) or the Netherlands (beëdigd vertaler). You need a qualified independent translator who provides a Certificate of Accuracy - a statement of translation accuracy with their details, signature, and stamp.
Does temporary protection time count towards Irish citizenship?¶
No. Temporary Stamp 4 doesn’t count towards the 5 years of residency required for naturalisation. Those years only count on a “full” residence permission - work, study, or family reunification.
How do I get my Ukrainian diploma recognised in Ireland?¶
Through QQI NARIC. The database already has 17 Ukrainian qualifications with comparisons to Irish levels. If your qualification isn’t in the database - you can submit an individual request. You’ll need a translated diploma and transcript.
Need a professional translation?
AI translation + human review + notary certification
Order translation →