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Avoiding cross border problems in the EU

Marriages in Embassies in Ireland

The Irish SOLVIT Centre has become aware of an increase in the number of EU citizens getting married in the embassies of other countries.

The Irish SOLVIT Centre has received advice from the General Registration Office in Ireland, which deals with the registration of marriages in Ireland. They have confirmed that marriages that take place in foreign embassies are not recognised in Ireland under Irish law.

The relevant Irish legislation dealing with the registration of marriages in Ireland is The Civil Registration Act 2004 (No. 3 of 2004). If you require further information please click on the link to the Civil Registration Act 2004.

The Irish SOLVIT Centre suggests that any EU citizen who has got married in a foreign embassy in Ireland should obtain legal advice regarding the issue.


Travel

The Irish SOLVIT Centre regularly gets requests for urgent help in relation to travel issues over the Christmas holidays or other holiday periods. Non-EU family members of EU citizens who require a visa should contact the Embassy of the Member State they intend visiting in good time before finalising their plans.

Please note, SOLVIT can only act where there has been a misapplication of EU law by a public body and cases can take up to 10 weeks to resolve.


Property

If you decide to purchase, lease or sell real property, for example, a house or apartment or land in another country, the purchase, lease and sale of the property are regulated by the laws of the country where the property is situated. You should obtain independent professional advice relating to the legal, financial and taxation aspects of the purchase, lease or sale in the country where the property is situated. You should satisfy yourself that you are know exactly what you are paying for.

If a problem arises in relation to the property, for example, the apartment is unfinished or does not exist or the land does not have planning permission when you understood that it would, such matters can only be resolved in reliance on the legal system in the country where the property is situated.