Moving to Ireland: Practicalities

Practicalities

Getting your initial immigration permission to move to Ireland is only step one. There is a major housing crisis all over Ireland, and finding accommodation is only the first hurdle – you’ll need to get your IRP & PPS documentation, register with a GP, set up utilities and, possibly, sort out schools and childcare. This is a high-level guide to getting started.

Settling In

Housing

The housing crisis in Ireland is by no means confined to Dublin – it is nationwide. This makes for high rents, intense competition to secure properties and almost no options for pet owners. While prices to buy homes are broadly in line with other ‘expensive’ places around the world – think San Francisco – you are unlikely to be able to secure a mortgage as a new arrival; typically, you’ll need at least a year of local payslips and a large deposit. That said, there are mortgage brokers who specialize in helping people with overseas credit histories obtain a mortgage, but you will almost certainly be renting for your first 1-2 years in Ireland.

What does this mean? In short, you may not have many options as a new arrival, and if you are offered any kind of relocation support, for example, if your company has offered you a relocation package as part of your critical skills work permit onboarding, take it. These services typically have access to properties not available on the wider market, and it may be your only way to find a pet-friendly property.

If you are left to your own devices, you’ll need to become very familiar with Daft. You may also find housing via Facebook groups (e.g. Americans in Ireland, South Africans in Ireland, etc.) – but always keep an eye out for scams.

IRP & PPS Requirements

As a new arrival to Ireland, you will need to secure your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) and Personal Public Service (PPS) number. Your IRP shows what permission you have to live in Ireland and, importantly, when it expires; you must renew the permission on your card (and possibly stamped in your passport) as indicated on your documents. If you are moving to Ireland from the US, your PPS number is similar to your American Social Security Number (SSN), and it is worth memorizing or keeping handy. Getting your PPS number as soon as possible is critical to avoid being subject to emergency tax for any longer than is necessary, but it can take time. If you are moving with children, they will also need PPS numbers to register for school, but only those over 16 will need an IRP – if they are going to turn 16, be sure to register to obtain an IRP in advance. You must have your IRP with you when you return to Ireland from any travel abroad – you will show it to the immigration official along with your passport.

Schools and Childcare

If you are used to the American system of ‘public schools,’ the Irish system can be confusing, difficult to navigate and not at all ‘user friendly’ – most ‘state schools’ are still run by the Catholic Church, and mixed-gender secondary schools are relatively rare. While on the whole the quality of the education is excellent, finding the right school is no easy feat – proximity to a school is no guarantee that your child will be offered a place. While private, fee-paying schools are often cheaper than others in, say, the US or UK, they are also relatively few in number. But especially at the secondary school level, where schools are heavily oversubscribed, you may need to pay for a secular/mixed-gender experience. You can always opt your child out of religion in state schools, but ‘events’ like First Communion are big parts of the curriculum.
Moving from secondary school to university – the fees for which will be determined based on your residency, not your nationality – is determined by your child’s results on the Leaving Cert. It is far from a straightforward process, especially if you/your child are in any way neurodivergent or have documented learning disabilities – getting adequate support is vital and can be difficult. Similarly, finding a place in a creche – similar to a day care situation – can be extremely challenging – word of mouth is your best bet.

Health Care

Your first task will be to register with a GP. Even if you have private insurance – most likely with VHI, Laya or Irish Life – your GP will be your key point of contact for interacting with all things healthcare, both public and private. Finding a GP who is accepting new patients can be tricky and time-consuming; this is another situation in which personal recommendations can be hugely beneficial. Your GP will be your go-to when you need prescriptions renewed – and this comes with a cost – as well as for referrals for specialist care. If you have private insurance, this may come with walk-in clinics and faster access to specialists – you can compare companies and plans before making a decision. Bear in mind that Ireland is a small country – in some cases, there simply is not the capacity to access specialist care locally; mental health care, in particular, can be very difficult to access, even with private insurance.