How much money should I bring when moving to Ireland?

Budget a minimum of €10,000–€15,000 for your move. A realistic breakdown: employment permit fee €1,000 (if employer does not cover); flights €400–€1,000; temporary accommodation for 6 weeks (Airbnb/serviced apartment) €2,500–€4,000; first month's rent + deposit on permanent apartment €4,000–€6,000 (Dublin); emergency fund €2,000–€3,000. Many multinationals offer relocation allowances of €5,000–€15,000 for senior hires — negotiate this during the offer stage if possible.

How long does the full immigration process take from job offer to arrival?

For a non-EU national requiring a CSEP and entry visa: allow 3–5 months minimum. CSEP processing: 4–8 weeks; Irish 'D' visa (if required): 4–8 weeks (these partially overlap if you apply for the visa as soon as the permit is approved). Gather documents in parallel to save time. Once you have both, book flights and arrange accommodation for your first 4–6 weeks. The entire process from signing an employment contract to arriving in Ireland is typically 3–5 months.

Do I need to register with immigration after arriving?

Yes — if you are a non-EU national, you must register with the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) within 90 days of arrival. In Dublin, this means booking an appointment at the Burgh Quay Registration Office (online booking opens 14 days in advance and slots are competitive — book as soon as you arrive). Outside Dublin, register at your local Garda station. Bring your passport, employment permit, employment contract, proof of address, and the registration fee (€300). You will receive your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card at or after the appointment.

Can I bring my family with me on a Critical Skills Employment Permit?

Yes. Your spouse or de-facto partner can join you and is immediately entitled to work without their own employment permit — a significant advantage of the CSEP over other routes. Dependent children can also join. Your family members will need their own Irish entry visas (if from visa-required countries) and must register separately with immigration to get their own IRP cards. Your spouse's IRP will typically carry a Stamp 1G (de-facto partner permission) or similar, granting full work authorisation. Family reunification applications should be submitted to the Immigration Service Delivery.

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🇮🇪 Ireland

Moving Guide

Moving to Ireland involves securing your employment permit (if non-EU), registering with immigration, obtaining your PPS number, setting up banking, and navigating a competitive housing market. Careful preparation and sequencing of these steps will make your first weeks significantly smoother..

4–8 weeks

CSEP Processing Time

Standard; from correctly complete submission

90 days

IRP Registration Deadline

5–10 working days

PPS Number Processing

After application at Intreo Centre or MyWelfare.ie

€10,000–€15,000

Moving Budget (Estimated)

Visa, flights, deposit, temporary housing, emergency fund

€2,000–€6,000

International Removals

Full container; Europe range; higher from North America/Asia

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Dublin 🌿Cork 🌊Galway

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Key Takeaways

Apply for your Critical Skills Employment Permit as soon as your employment contract is signed — either you or your employer can apply via Employment Permits Online (enterprise.gov.ie)
Register with the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD): book an appointment at burgh quay registration office (Dublin) or local Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) — do this within 90 days of arrival
EU to Ireland: free movement of goods — no customs duty or VAT on personal effects; sea or road freight straightforward
Track your reckonable residence carefully — keep records of all Stamps, IRP cards, and any absences from Ireland; you need 5 years for citizenship

Before You Leave — Pre-Departure Checklist

The earlier you start, the smoother the move. Employment permit processing can take 4–8 weeks; visa processing (if required) adds another 4–8 weeks. Begin at least 3 months before your intended start date.

Apply for your Critical Skills Employment Permit as soon as your employment contract is signed — either you or your employer can apply via Employment Permits Online (enterprise.gov.ie)
If from a visa-required country: once the permit is approved, apply for an Irish 'D' (long-stay) visa at your nearest Irish embassy or consulate — allow 8–12 weeks
Gather key documents in certified copies: passport (6+ months validity), employment contract, educational qualifications (degree certificates, transcripts), police clearance certificate from home country
Research and shortlist housing in advance — set up Daft.ie alerts; join Irish expat Facebook groups for leads and advice
Book short-term furnished accommodation (6–8 weeks) for arrival — do not expect to secure permanent rental before arriving
Arrange travel health insurance for the gap before you are registered with an Irish GP and have private health cover
Notify your home country bank; consider opening a Revolut or Wise account for immediate use on arrival before your Irish bank account is set up

First Weeks — Priority Administrative Tasks

Your first 4–6 weeks in Ireland will be dominated by administrative setup. Do these in the right order — IRP before PPS number is not always required, but IRP helps with all subsequent applications.

Register with the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD): book an appointment at burgh quay registration office (Dublin) or local Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) — do this within 90 days of arrival
Receive your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card — this confirms your Stamp type (Stamp 1 for CSEP), permission duration, and is essential for banking and services
Apply for your PPS number at your nearest Intreo Centre or online via MyWelfare.ie with MyGovID — bring passport, IRP, employment letter, and proof of address
Register with Revenue via Revenue's MyAccount portal (revenue.ie/myaccount) — set up your tax credits, review your tax band, and ensure PAYE deductions are correct
Open an Irish bank account: AIB and Bank of Ireland accept new arrivals with IRP; alternatively use Revolut or N26 immediately and switch later
Register with a local GP — search hse.ie; bring passport, IRP, and proof of address; private GP visit €50–€70 if no medical card
If your employer provides private health insurance, activate it immediately — it is often the first benefit worth claiming

Shipping Belongings to Ireland

Ireland has no import duty on personal effects for new residents moving from within the EU. Shipments from outside the EU may require customs clearance. Plan your shipping strategy based on how long you plan to stay.

EU to Ireland: free movement of goods — no customs duty or VAT on personal effects; sea or road freight straightforward
Non-EU to Ireland: personal effects relief (Transfer of Residence relief) exempts household goods from customs duty and VAT — requires evidence of at least 12 months' residence abroad and that goods have been used for 6+ months
Removal companies with Irish experience: Crown Relocations, Allied Pickfords, and Pickfords offer door-to-door services; get 3 quotes minimum
Shipping from North America: full container from USA/Canada typically takes 3–5 weeks by sea; cost €4,000–€8,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment's contents
Air freight: use for essential items (documents, laptop, immediate clothing) arriving before sea container; expensive but fast
Consider selling/donating bulky items before leaving — Irish electrical voltage (220V, plug type G) is same as UK but different from North America; appliances may not be compatible
Declare any prohibited or restricted items (certain foods, plants, meats) — Ireland follows EU import regulations on agricultural goods

Settling In — Longer Term

Once the administrative tasks are complete, focus shifts to building your life in Ireland: social connections, understanding the healthcare and benefits systems, and planning your path to Stamp 4 and ultimately citizenship.

Track your reckonable residence carefully — keep records of all Stamps, IRP cards, and any absences from Ireland; you need 5 years for citizenship
Absence limits: no statutory maximum for employment permit holders, but extended absences can affect reckonable residence for citizenship purposes — consult an immigration solicitor if you travel frequently
PRSI contributions: regularly check your PRSI record via MyWelfare.ie — contributions build entitlements to State Pension, Jobseeker's Benefit, and other payments
Join InterNations Dublin, local sports clubs (GAA, rugby, running clubs), or community groups — Ireland's social integration curve is gentle compared to most of Europe
Schools: if you have children, register with local schools early — oversubscription is common in desirable Dublin areas; Educate Together (multi-denominational) and Gaelscoileanna (Irish-medium) are popular alternatives to traditional Catholic schools
Driving licence: exchange your home country licence at the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) — check eligible countries on ndls.ie; otherwise you must sit the Irish driving theory and practical tests

FAQs