Moving to Ireland: your relocation checklist
How to move to Ireland: the visa and residency routes, cost of living, banking, healthcare and taxes you'll deal with, organized by phase. Generate a free plan tailored to your passport, family, and budget below.
Consumer prices run about 36% above the EU average and English proficiency is rated “native” (EF EPI).
Moving from the United States? See the Ireland from the USA guide.
Budgeting the move? See the cost of living in Ireland.
Ireland at a glance
Live and regularly refreshed data, each fact with its source.
Air quality · Dublin
AQI 35 · Good
WAQI
Prices vs EU average
+36%
Eurostat 2025
Internet
~110 Mbps median
Ookla
Messengers
No known issues
OONI, 6 months to July 2026
Foreign-born residents
23.1% of population
World Bank 2024
Population
5.5M
World Bank 2025
Population density
77 / km²
World Bank 2023
Unemployment
4.6%
World Bank 2025
English proficiency
native
EF EPI
Safety advisory
Level 1 · Exercise Normal Precautions
U.S. State Dept
Currency
EUR
ISO 4217
Timezone
UTC+1
Open-Meteo
SARP relief
30% of income above ~€100k tax-exempt · 5 years
For employees assigned to Ireland by a multinational employer; must be claimed shortly after arrival.
Verified June 2026 · Revenue
Getting set up in Ireland: key steps & official resources
The main immigration, tax, healthcare and housing bodies you'll deal with, with the official portals and typical costs. Curated and hand-verified — last reviewed June 2026. Figures are approximate; always confirm the current numbers on the official site.
- Register your immigration permission and get an IRP via the ISD immigration service (www.irishimmigration.ie); a PPS number comes from the Department of Social Protection (www.mywelfare.ie).
- Tax is handled by Revenue (www.revenue.ie); social insurance is PRSI. Register with a GP for healthcare.
- Housing is very tight — Daft.ie (www.daft.ie) is the main portal; expect strong competition and to provide references. Emergency numbers are 112 and 999.
- Key figures (approximate — verify current values): IRP registration costs €300 per person; the PPS number is free via MyWelfare; Dublin one-bed rents commonly run €1,800–2,200+/month and deposits are typically 1–2 months; GP visits cost ~€60–80 without a medical card.
The Ireland relocation checklist at a glance
1Before you go
- Confirm which visa or residency route fits your situation
- Gather and, where needed, apostille/translate key documents
- Sort out international health insurance for the gap period
- Budget the move and notify your bank of the relocation
2First week
- Register your address with the local authority
- Get a local SIM / mobile number
- Start the local bank account application
- Locate the nearest clinic and pharmacy
3First month
- Complete residency registration and get your ID number
- Enroll in the healthcare system or private insurance
- Set up utilities and a long-term rental contract
- Understand your tax residency obligations
4First 90 days
- Exchange or apply for a local driving license if required
- Build a local support network and language basics
- Review and optimize banking, taxes, and insurance
- Handle school enrollment or childcare if you have kids
This is a general outline. Your personalized plan above adapts every step to where you're moving from, your visa status, and your situation. Always verify official requirements: this is not legal or immigration advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to move to Ireland?
It depends on your passport and why you are moving: tourist entry rules are different from working, studying or joining family. Generate a free plan above and we check the visa route for your exact passport and situation, using a 238-country visa matrix.
Does Ireland have a special tax regime for newcomers?
Yes: SARP relief. 30% of income above ~€100k tax-exempt · 5 years. For employees assigned to Ireland by a multinational employer; must be claimed shortly after arrival. Status: active, verified June 2026 against Revenue.
Can I use WhatsApp and Telegram in Ireland?
Network measurements over the last six months show Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, Facebook Messenger working normally in Ireland (OONI, 5 January 2026 to 7 July 2026). This reflects measured reachability, not an official policy statement.
How high are taxes on salaries in Ireland?
The OECD tax wedge is about 33% (2025): that is the share of what a job costs an employer that goes to income tax and social contributions for a single average worker. It is not your personal income-tax rate, but it is the honest way to compare countries.
How current is this data?
Climate, inflation and life expectancy were refreshed 12 July 2026; prices, taxes and air quality 7 July 2026; messenger reachability 7 July 2026. Tax regimes are hand-verified against official government sources. Every fact on this page shows its source.