Seeking advice: Sponsoring non‑EEA spouse in Ireland under EU Free Movement Directive as dual Romanian–Irish citizen

[kraimor]

Hi everyone,

I’m seeking guidance on sponsoring my non‑EEA spouse in Ireland under Directive 2004/38/EC (the EU Free Movement Directive). My situation is a bit complex, so I’ll outline the key facts:

I am a dual Romanian and Irish citizen.
I lived in Ireland 2019–2025, exercising my EU Treaty Rights as a Romanian citizen, primarily through employment.
I naturalised as an Irish citizen in December 2025.
I am now married to a non‑EEA spouse, and we are seeking residence in Ireland.

My main questions are:

Can I sponsor my spouse under Directive 2004/38/EC, relying on my previously exercised EU Treaty Rights as a Romanian citizen, despite now being Irish? Or must we proceed under the Irish citizen “Join Family” route instead?

I am particularly interested in how the CJEU judgment in Case C‑165/16 (Lounes) applies here — it dealt with EU free movement rights for dual nationals who naturalised in their host Member State.

Additionally, I’d love guidance on:

Typical evidentiary requirements for an EU family member application in Ireland.
Strongest legal arguments for invoking EU law rights.
Practical considerations for submitting such an application.
Expected timeframe for receiving a formal legal opinion or clarification from Irish authorities.

I would really appreciate any insights from those familiar with Irish immigration law, EU free movement, or personal experience in similar situations.

Thanks in advance!

[nisi]

It sounds complicated to argue. Is it worth the hassle when you can sponsor a spouse in Ireland as an Irish citizen, only requiring an average annual income over the last 3 years of less than €13.4k?