How to move to Ireland (from the UK or anywhere) — a complete, practical guide

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Quick overview — three common arrival profiles

  1. UK citizens: Covered by the Common Travel Area (CTA) — you can live and work in Ireland with very few formal entry barriers (but some admin steps still apply). (GOV.UK)
  2. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Free movement — you can live and work without a visa or employment permit (but you should register locally for services and tax).
  3. Non-EEA nationals (rest of world): Most will need a visa to enter (if their country is visa-required) and an employment or study permission / long-stay ‘D’ visa before arrival for stays over 90 days. Use Ireland’s visa checker to confirm. (ireland.ie, citizensinformation.ie)

Before you go — paperwork & planning

  • Check visa requirement: Use the DFA / INIS visa checker and apply for a long-stay (Type D) visa if you plan to stay >90 days and your nationality requires one. (ireland.ie, citizensinformation.ie)
  • Job or study offer: If you’re coming to work, check whether you need an employment permit. For many third-country nationals, an employment permit (Critical Skills or General Employment Permit) is required. Employers often must apply on your behalf. (enterprise.gov.ie, citizensinformation.ie)
  • Family members: If joining family, you’ll likely apply for a Join-Family (long-stay D) visa — rules depend on the sponsor’s status. (Immigration Service Delivery)
  • Retirement: Ireland allows “financially independent” retirees to apply, but you must demonstrate independent means and follow the Stamp 0/retirement route. This is a stricter, document-heavy process. (Immigration Service Delivery)

On arrival — critical first steps (what most non-EEA migrants must do)

  1. Entry stamp / landing stamp at border: If you arrive with permission you’ll be stamped and usually told to register.
  2. Register your immigration permission and get an Irish Residence Permit (IRP): Non-EEA nationals who plan to stay >90 days must register with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) and obtain an IRP (formerly GNIB card). You must register within 90 days of arrival (book via the ISD Customer Service Portal). The IRP is your legal proof to live in Ireland. There is a registration fee. (Immigration Service Delivery)
  3. If you’re from the UK: CTA rights mean you don’t need a visa/permit to enter and work, but you should still sort practical admin (PPS, bank account, GP) quickly. Citizens’ Information explains CTA entitlements. (citizensinformation.ie)

Work: how to lawfully take a job in Ireland

  • EU/EEA/Swiss & UK citizens: No employment permit required — you can start work. (UK/Irish CTA rights continue to apply.) (GOV.UK, citizensinformation.ie)
  • Non-EEA nationals: Most need an employment permit. Two common types:
    • Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP): For high-skill roles on the Critical Skills Occupation List. It has minimum salary thresholds and is designed to lead to faster access to Stamp 4 (permission to work without a permit). (enterprise.gov.ie)
    • General Employment Permit: For other eligible occupations; employer advertising and a labour market test may apply. (citizensinformation.ie)
  • Typical process: Job offer → employer/employee applies for permit (online) → if approved you get permission and register for IRP → start work. Always check the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment pages for up-to-date MAR (minimum annual remuneration) and occupation lists. (enterprise.gov.ie)

Residency stamps — what they mean (short)

  • Stamp 1: Work permit holder (employment permit conditions apply). (Immigration Service Delivery)
  • Stamp 4: Permission to stay and work without an employment permit (granted to family of Irish citizens, some long-term permit routes, or after qualifying periods). Used when applying for citizenship because it’s “reckonable” residence. (Immigration Service Delivery)
  • Stamp 0: Typically for financially independent people (retirees) — you can live in Ireland but not take employment. (See retirement rules.) (Immigration Service Delivery)
  • Stamp 5 / other stamps: Other stamps exist (e.g., Stamp 3 for family members with no work rights). Check INIS for full list. (Total Law)

Healthcare & PPS number (must-do)

  • Apply for a PPS number (Personal Public Service number) as soon as you need to work, claim benefits, access public services, or register for tax. You usually need ID, proof of address, and a reason for needing a PPS. Many agencies require PPS for payroll and HSE services. (gov.ie, services.mywelfare.ie)
  • Public healthcare: Ireland has a mixed public/private system. Eligibility for public services depends on being “ordinarily resident” and on schemes (medical card, GP visit card). New residents should check HSE / Citizens Information for entitlement rules and apply for a medical or GP visit card if eligible. (HSE.ie, citizensinformation.ie)

Taxes & social insurance

  • Tax residency: You become tax resident if present in Ireland for 183 days in a year, or 280 days over two years (current + preceding) — rules matter for worldwide tax liability. Register with Revenue for PAYE/PRSI once you start work. (Revenue)
  • Employer PAYE: Employers typically register you and deduct PAYE/PRSI/USC. If self-employed you register as a business. Consider an accountant for cross-border tax issues (UK–Ireland double taxation, pensions, etc).

Education, kids & schooling

  • Schools: Public primary and secondary education is free for residents (subject to local requirements). For international students/children, check local county enrolment rules and catchment areas early — school places can be limited in fast-growing towns/cities.
  • Third-level students: International students usually need an Irish Study Visa (D) if from a visa-required country and must register with immigration on arrival. Universities’ international offices provide step-by-step help. (Immigration Service Delivery, University College Cork)

Retiring to Ireland (what retirees should know)

  • Retiree/financially independent route: Ireland allows financially independent people to apply for a long-stay visa and Stamp 0 permission. Applicants must prove independent means, private medical insurance, and submit independent financial verification (often certified by an Irish accountancy firm). This is not an automatic or cheap route — expect strict documentation. (Immigration Service Delivery)
  • UK retirees: Under the CTA, UK citizens have easier access to live in Ireland but should still sort residency and health entitlements early. (citizensinformation.ie)

Path to long-term residence and citizenship

  • Long-term residency: After a number of years on qualifying permissions you may apply for long-term residence or Stamp 4; for third-country nationals this often follows 5 years’ reckonable, legal residence (subject to conditions). Check INIS for eligibility and recent updates. (Immigration Service Delivery)
  • Naturalisation (Irish citizenship): The usual route by residency requires 5 years’ reckonable residence in the last 9 years, including 1 year of continuous residence immediately before applying. There’s an online residency calculator and a formal application process. (Immigration Service Delivery)

Practical settling-in checklist (step-by-step)

Pre-departure

First 0–2 weeks

  • If required, enter with correct visa or landing permission.
  • Book IRP registration appointment (non-EEA) via ISD portal as soon as you arrive. (Immigration Service Delivery)
  • Open an Irish bank account (many banks let you start online but require in-branch ID).
  • Apply for PPS number (you’ll need it for payroll, tax, HSE services). (gov.ie)

First 1–3 months

  • Register with a GP and get familiar with HSE services; apply for medical/GP cards if eligible. (HSE.ie)
  • Register for tax (Revenue) or confirm PAYE with your employer. (Revenue)
  • Sort utilities, broadband, and local services.
  • If bringing family, begin join-family formalities for dependants if required. (Immigration Service Delivery)

Ongoing

Practical tips & common pitfalls

  • Don’t ignore the IRP deadline — register within 90 days (book early). If appointments are scarce, booking within 90 days is sufficient even if the appointment is later. (Immigration Service Delivery)
  • If you’re from the UK: CTA makes entry and work easier, but some benefits / social housing access may require additional residence histories and registration — check exact entitlements. (citizensinformation.ie)
  • Employment permits change: Salary thresholds and occupation lists are periodically updated — always check the DETE “Employment Permits” pages just before applying. (enterprise.gov.ie)
  • Retirees: Expect a rigorous proof-of-funds process and consider advice from an Irish accountant for the independent-means route. (Immigration Service Delivery)

Key official resources (start here)

  • Irish Immigration Service / Registration & Residence info (ISD / INIS): registration, stamps, IRP, naturalisation. (Immigration Service Delivery)
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment (employment permits): Critical Skills & General Employment Permit rules. (enterprise.gov.ie, citizensinformation.ie)
  • Department of Foreign Affairs / visa checker: who needs a visa, D visas. (ireland.ie)
  • Gov.ie / PPS number: how to get a PPS number. (gov.ie)
  • HSE / Citizens Information: healthcare entitlements, medical and GP visit cards. (HSE.ie, citizensinformation.ie)

Final thoughts

Moving to Ireland is straightforward for many (especially UK and EU/EEA citizens) but still requires careful admin: visas and employment permits for non-EEA nationals, IRP registration, PPS, tax setup, and healthcare registration. Ireland’s rules change from time to time (salary thresholds, pandemic policies, etc.), so treat this guide as a practical roadmap and check the official pages linked above before you submit applications.

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