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Successful relocation to Ireland requires planning before you depart the UK. Several steps should be completed in advance to smooth your arrival.
Foremost, ensure you have secured employment in Ireland or have confirmed income sources (remote work, investments, pension income). Many landlords and mortgage lenders in Ireland require proof of income. Letters from your UK employer confirming remote work, or evidence of pension or investment income, are valuable.
Ireland's largest cities offer different experiences and costs:
Your choice depends on employment, lifestyle, and budget. Remote work from a provincial city is increasingly common and substantially improves financial position.
You cannot apply for a PPS number until you have an Irish address. Arrange temporary accommodation (Airbnb, hotel, or a friend's spare room) for your first 1-2 weeks. This allows you to secure permanent accommodation and proof of address.
Before you leave the UK, contact HM Revenue & Customs and notify them of your departure date and Irish address. This confirms your UK tax residency cessation and may trigger split-year treatment in your final UK year. Without notification, you may be taxed as UK resident for the entire year, increasing your bill unnecessarily.
Arrange international money transfer to Ireland. Set up a UK bank account with international transfer capability (or use a specialist remittance service) to transfer your savings to Ireland without excessive fees. Bank transfers typically cost 1-2% of the amount; specialist services (Wise, OFX) often cost 0.5% or less.
Your first two weeks in Ireland are crucial. Multiple administrative tasks must be completed to establish residency and begin working.
Your first priority is securing permanent accommodation and obtaining proof of address. Proof of address can be a tenancy agreement, a mortgage deed, a utility bill, or a letter from a landlord confirming your occupation.
Once you have proof of address, open an Irish bank account. You will need:
Major Irish banks (Bank of Ireland, AIB, Ulster Bank) open accounts within 1–2 weeks. Online-only banks (Revolut, Wise) open accounts within days but may have transaction limits. Having an Irish account is essential for payroll, tax payments, and everyday transactions.
Your next critical task is applying for a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number. This is your Irish tax ID and is required for employment, healthcare, banking, and most public services.
Do not delay this application. Many services (tax registration, healthcare, further banking) depend on your PPS number.
Once you have a PPS number, register with Irish Revenue:
Apply for healthcare coverage immediately. You have options (below); most expats choose either a medical card (if eligible) or private insurance.
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Healthcare in Ireland is a mix of public and private systems. Understanding your options is essential for financial planning.
Public healthcare in Ireland is provided by the HSE and is free at point of care for residents. However, access to public healthcare is often delayed:
Public healthcare is a backup system; most expats supplement with private insurance.
Means-tested cards provide free or subsidised healthcare:
These are valuable if you qualify. Many retirees moving from the UK with modest pensions will qualify for a medical card.
Most working-age expats purchase private health insurance for faster access to consultants and specialists. Cost: €100-€300/month for comprehensive cover, depending on age and health.
Private insurance is expensive but ensures timely access to healthcare. Many employers subsidise employee health insurance (10–50% of premiums).
Choose a GP practice in your area and register. Most require you to provide your PPS number and address. Initial registration is quick; you then pay per visit (unless you have a medical card or insurance that covers GP visits).
Medications in Ireland are typically more expensive than the UK. Prescription charges are substantial (€5-€10+ per item depending on the medication). If you take regular medications, budgets €50-€150/month. Private insurance or a medical card reduces these costs significantly.
Understanding the true cost of living in Ireland is essential for financial planning.
Here is a realistic monthly budget for a single professional living in Dublin:
This assumes no pension contributions, savings, or one-off expenses. If you are saving, budgeted €500-€1,000 additional monthly. If you have dependents, add costs for childcare (€600-€1,200/month per child), school fees (private), and additional living costs.
Living outside Dublin significantly reduces costs:
Choosing Cork or Galway over Dublin saves approximately €300-€800/month, or €3,600–€9,600 per year.
Ireland's housing market remains supply-constrained. Prices have grown 5–6% in the first half of 2026.
Dublin Apartment Prices: - One-bed apartment, city centre: €240,000–€440,000 - One-bed apartment, inner suburbs: €180,000-€280,000 - Two-bed apartment, suburbs: €250,000–€400,000 - Median Dublin home price: €495,000
Property Outside Dublin: - Cork one-bed apartment: €120,000-€200,000 - Galway one-bed apartment: €130,000-€220,000 - National median home price: €381,000 (30% below Dublin)
When purchasing in Ireland: - Deposit (mortgage): 10–20% of purchase price - Legal fees and searches: €1,000-€2,500 - Stamp duty (property tax): 1% on purchase price (for most properties; higher rates in certain circumstances) - Home insurance: €200-€500/year - Mortgage insurance (if less than 20% deposit): 1-2% of loan amount
For a €200,000 apartment with a 15% deposit: deposit €30,000 + legal/stamp/insurance €5,000-€7,000 = €35,000-€37,000 total upfront cost.
Single professional, Dublin, €35,000 salary: - Monthly net income (after tax/USC/PRSI): approximately €2,450 - Monthly budget (above): €3,085 - Monthly shortfall: approximately €635
This person is either saving very little or relying on additional income/savings. Many single professionals in Dublin find it challenging to save on a €35,000 salary without sharing accommodation or relocating to a provincial city.
Couple, Cork, €70,000 combined salary: - Monthly net income (combined, after tax/USC/PRSI): approximately €4,500 - Monthly budget (two people): approximately €3,500 - Monthly savings: approximately €1,000
A couple earning €70,000 combined and living in Cork can comfortably save and eventually purchase a property.
Setting up banking in Ireland is straightforward once you have proof of address and a PPS number (or PPS application reference).
Major Irish banks:
Process:
Online banks (Revolut, Wise) open accounts instantly via app but may have transaction limits or limited features.
To move money from the UK to Ireland:
For a £10,000 transfer: - Bank: loses approximately £150–£200 to fees - Wise: loses approximately £50-£100 to fees - Wise saves £50–£150 per transfer
For large relocations (£50,000+), using a specialist service saves substantially.
The GBP/EUR exchange rate affects your finances significantly. In April 2026, the rate is approximately 1 GBP - 1.20 EUR. If the pound weakens, your EUR purchasing power decreases. Consider hedging strategies (locking in an exchange rate) for large transfers. Wise offers forward contracts that lock in rates for up to 12 months in advance.
If you have investments or savings in the UK and move to Ireland, consider consolidating into an Irish platform for simplicity. However, ensure tax implications are understood: moving investments to Ireland may trigger tax events. Consult a tax adviser before consolidating.
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The Common Travel Area (CTA) is a bilateral agreement between the UK and Ireland that grants citizens of either country the right to enter, live, and work in the other without a visa.
Whilst the CTA grants you the right to reside, you should still register as an Irish resident:
This establishes your official residency and is necessary for employment, tax compliance, and access to services.
You do not need a visa, but informal travel documents (such as a bus pass or lease agreement) proving your Irish residency are useful if questioned by authorities. Maintain proof of address and your PPS number as evidence of residency if needed.
As an Irish resident, you are entitled to certain social welfare benefits, including unemployment benefit, family allowance (for children), and disability support. Eligibility depends on residency and contribution history. Most UK expats moving to employment do not require these benefits, but it is useful to know they exist.
Use this checklist to organize your move to Ireland:
Having initially joined Skybound as part of the Client Services team, being voted Switzerland’s Most Valuable Consultant by his colleagues in his first year in the industry, Bryan progressed very quickly to become a fully-fledged consultant.
Over several years, Bryan has gained the experience and expertise required to assist clients with their financial planning needs on a domestic and international scale.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or relocation advice. Housing prices, living costs, and healthcare eligibility change frequently. Consult local Irish authorities, your employer, and a Skybound Wealth adviser before making relocation decisions.
Dublin housing and living costs are 20–30% higher than other Irish cities. A one-bed apartment in Cork or Galway costs €300–€600/month less than Dublin. If your work allows remote work or flexibility, living outside Dublin significantly improves your financial position.
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Relocating to Ireland involves multiple decisions: where to live, how to fund it, and which healthcare option suits you. A Skybound Wealth adviser can model your living costs, plan your UK exit, and help you maximise your financial position during the move.
