Moving to Ireland from the USA

US taxes & Social Security when you live in Ireland

What stays true for US citizens and green-card holders no matter where they move. General information, not tax or legal advice — confirm your situation with a cross-border tax professional. Reviewed July 2026.

• As a US citizen or green-card holder you keep filing a US federal tax return on your worldwide income even while living in Ireland — the US taxes based on citizenship, not where you live (www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/us-citizens-and-resident-aliens-abroad).
• The US and Ireland have an income tax treaty in force (www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/united-states-income-tax-treaties-a-to-z). A treaty can lower withholding on cross-border income like dividends, interest and pensions and set residency tie-breaker rules — it does not remove your US filing obligation.
• Double taxation is usually avoided with the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555, www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-earned-income-exclusion) and/or the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116); which one is better depends on your income and Ireland's tax rates.
• If your foreign bank and financial accounts exceed US$10,000 combined at any point in the year, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114, www.fincen.gov/report-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts); larger balances can also trigger FATCA Form 8938 with your return.
• The US and Ireland have a Social Security Totalization Agreement (www.ssa.gov/international/agreements_overview.html), so you generally contribute to only one country's social-security system instead of paying into both, and coverage periods can be combined toward benefits.

Moving to Irelandfrom the US: the American's checklist

How US citizens apply, whether your license transfers, and the things that catch Americans out. Reviewed July 2026 against official sources; always confirm current requirements before you act.

• Ireland's remittance basis of taxation is a major benefit for non-domiciled expats: foreign-source income is not taxed in Ireland as long as it is not remitted.
• Opening bank accounts in Ireland is heavily affected by FATCA; banks require extensive residency documentation and US tax ID (TIN/SSN) numbers.
• Ireland imposes high tax rates on passive investments like ETFs (up to 41% tax and an 8-year deemed disposal rule), which is highly complex for US expats.

Ireland at a glance

Live and regularly refreshed data, each fact with its source.

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.

Moving to Ireland from the US, phase by phase

This is a general outline. Your personalized plan above adapts every step to your US starting point, visa status, and situation. Always verify official requirements: this is not legal or immigration advice.

Frequently asked questions

Moving to another country from the USA