Guides for moving to Ireland
Everything in one place. No forums, no outdated blog posts. Each guide is written for people actually making the move, not people writing about it.
Essentials
The critical first steps. Do these before anything else.
Getting Started in Ireland
The first seven things to do when you arrive, in the right order — PPS number, IRP registration, Revenue, and bank account.
Visa & PPS Guide
Which visa you need, how to apply for a PPS number, and when to register your immigration permission (IRP) card.
PPS, IRP, Revenue & Banking
The four bureaucratic milestones every expat must clear. Step-by-step with links to the official portals.
Housing
Finding somewhere to live and understanding your rights as a tenant.
Finding Accommodation
How the Irish rental market works, where to search, what to say in a viewing request, and what a landlord can and cannot ask for.
Rental Law 2026
Rent Pressure Zones, notice periods, deposit rules, and tenant rights under current Irish law. Know before you sign.
Cost of Living 2026
Honest numbers on rent, groceries, childcare, transport, and utilities. What Ireland actually costs, by county and lifestyle.
Money & Banking
Getting set up financially from day one.
Health
Navigating the public and private healthcare system.
Health Insurance
Public versus private healthcare, what public waiting lists mean in practice, and how to choose the right VHI, Laya, or Irish Life plan.
Registering with a GP
How to find a GP in Ireland, what private visits cost (€60–€80), how to qualify for a medical card, and walk-in clinics as a stopgap.
Families
Schools, childcare, and what to expect if you have children.
Irish School System
How primary and secondary schools are structured in Ireland, what Educate Together means, how enrolment works, and how to choose the right school.
Childcare Costs 2026
Full-time crèche fees by location, the free ECCE preschool scheme, NCS income subsidies, and Dublin waiting list reality.
Practical
Day-to-day life: getting around, staying legal.
City Guides
Where to land — a close look at all six of Ireland's main cities.
Moving to Dublin
Best neighbourhoods by budget, average rent, school oversubscription, and the Dublin vs commuter town decision.
Moving to Cork
Ireland's second city: neighbourhoods, rent, the tech and pharma employment base, and commuter towns around Cork.
Moving to Galway
Life on the Atlantic coast: Galway's neighbourhoods, medical device sector, rent, and the commuter towns to the east.
Moving to Limerick
Ireland's third city: Shannon-side living, tech and pharma employers, affordable rents, and commuter towns across Clare and Tipperary.
Moving to Kilkenny
The Marble City: medieval character, very affordable rents, remote-worker appeal, and rail access to Dublin in under 2 hours.
Moving to Waterford
Ireland's oldest city: Viking Triangle, pharma and SETU employment base, affordable rents, and a coastline that starts at Tramore.
Missing something? If there's a topic we haven't covered yet, let us know. We add guides based on what expats are actually asking about. Send a suggestion.