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Moving to Ireland: What You Need To Know
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Are you looking to move to Ireland? Moving to Ireland from anywhere in the world can open up a world of opportunities for anyone. As the only English-speaking country in the European Union, Ireland provides you with a great place to live and study in English, and for you to make a great life. In our Moving to Ireland guide, we’ll go through everything you need to know about moving to Ireland!
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Why Moving to Ireland Is a Good Idea
Ireland presents great opportunities for people around the world. With English as an official language and a lower cost of living than the US, Ireland gives the chance for so many around the world to come and optimise their potential.
Also, with the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, many people in Europe who want to work or study in English are choosing Ireland as their destination! Since Ireland uses the euro, if you’re coming from a Eurozone country, you won’t even be able to exchange your currency!
Top Six Reasons for Moving to Ireland
Here’s a list of the top six reasons why moving to Ireland is a great decision. Besides being a great place to work and study, Ireland offers a lot more to people from around the world:
- High Standard of Living
Ireland has a high standard of living. In the EU, Ireland ranks 13th and outperforms other OECD countries on metrics such as jobs, education, safety and social connections. Ireland is a dynamic and modern country with a strong economy. - Ease of Doing Business
Ireland is one of the easiest places in the EU to do business. Free market and low taxes make it simple to set up a business and get started. Ireland currently ranks 24th in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index. - Great Culture and History
Ireland has a fascinating history and culture that is unique in Europe and the world. As the only independent country in the world with a Celtic language, Gaelige, as an official language, Ireland stands out as a country with its own strong identity. - Hearty Food
Ireland is renowned for its hearty food from shepherd’s pie to seafood chowder, as well as its national dish of Irish Stew. You’ll never go hungry as Irish cuisine is very filling and homely making you feel very comfortable. - Welcoming People
The Irish are renowned for their cheery and friendly attitude. The Irish are very welcoming to foreigners which makes it a great place to integrate well into! As long as you can keep up with the drinking culture, you should be good! - Beautiful Countryside
Ireland has a beautiful countryside that’s very green. The majority of the country is rural and offers amazing sights you would not find anywhere else in the world. Also, as an island country, you’ll find many gorgeous coastlines to visit. Ireland has some of the best places to make your home.
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Do I Need a Visa to Live in Ireland?
In most cases, unless you’re from a country that does not require a visa to visit Ireland, you will be able to come and stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. However it can be a different story if you want to live and work. Ultimately, it depends on the passport that you have that determines what you’ll need in order to get started.
Irish Visa Types
The type of visa you’ll need and the amount you will pay depends on what you’re planning on doing in Ireland. Generally, if you need a visa, you will need to either get a short-stay or a long-stay visa:
Visa Type | Duration | Cost |
---|---|---|
Short Stay ‘C’ Visa | 3 months | €60 |
Work ‘D’ Visa | 5 years | €100 |
Study ‘D’ Visa | 5 years | €100 |
Transit Visa | Varies | €25 |
If you are a citizen of the EU or of an EEA/EFTA country, you don’t need to have a visa to work or live in Ireland. Since Ireland is in the EU it participates in the free movement of people and EU citizenship, so as a EU citizen you automatically have the right to come and live in Ireland without restrictions.
For family members of an EU citizen and if you yourself are not an EU citizen, you will need to apply for a visa in order to live in Ireland. Unless your passport is not one where a visa is required, you can apply for either a short-stay or long-stay visa.
What is the EEA and EFTA? The EEA is the European Economic Area, or sometimes referred to as the Single Market. It is a free-trade area that includes both European Union members and EFTA members (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein). Within the EEA, there is free movement of labour but greater restrictions on residency.
Moving to Ireland from the UK
The UK and Ireland have long both been part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) which predates the European Union. The CTA allows the freedom of movement for citizens of the UK, the Isle of Mann, the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland.
Since the UK and Ireland joined the EU, the Common Travel Area was left to one side, but it's still important and allows Brits and Irish to do the following in each other’s countries without restrictions:
- Move and settle whether they wish
- Work without visa restrictions
- Vote in elections
The Common Travel Area is still in force and so UK citizens, even though they are not citizens of the EU, can still enjoy the same rights in Ireland.
Where to Live in Ireland?
There are so many different options to consider when moving to Ireland. Ireland has the best of both worlds with vibrant cities and quiet countryside so the country really has a lot to offer!
Moving to Dublin
Dublin is the capital city of Ireland and famous for its easy going vibe. It offers everything that a modern city would offer without being ostentatious, making it a very easy city to call home and with liveable noise levels. Plus as the central hub of the country, you’ll know everything that’s going on!
Find Out About Renting in Dublin!
Moving to Cork
Cork is another vibrant city in Ireland to the south of the country. Cork has great opportunities and provides a safe place to be a student or an expat. Cork also has really great access to the internet and is well-developed for both healthcare and other city essentials!
Find Out About Renting in Cork!
Can I Work in Ireland?
If you want to come and work in Ireland, you’ll need to make sure whether you need a visa or not. If you’re from the EU or EFTA, you won’t need to have a visa in order to work. You do need to make sure you have your passport or identity card with you to prove your right to work in Ireland.
If you aren’t from an EU or EFTA country, you will need to apply for a visa to work legally in the country. You need to get the Irish Work Visa which is also a long-term visa, meaning you can stay in the country for up to 5 years.
Working in Ireland Checklist
Make sure you have the following documents and that you're meeting the requirements for working in Ireland if you’re not from an EU or EFTA country:
- Passport
- A job offer
- Copy of your immigration stamp (if you have one)
- Contact details
You should also make sure that the company you are applying to has not been able to find an Irish or European citizen who has the same skills as you beforehand.
How Can I Study in Ireland?
If you want to study in Ireland and are from the EU or an EFTA country, you can go through the Erasmus+ programme that is offered to students across Europe who want to study abroad and offers grants to student who need help with living costs. If you are from outside Europe, you will need to get a student visa in order to study in Ireland. You will also need to make sure that you are or have the following:
- Studying on a full-time basis
- Letter of place offer at university
If you don’t usually require a visa to enter Ireland, you don’t need to get a student visa in order to study.
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