Moving to Ireland for Work: Relocation Checklist, Housing & Cost of Living

Ireland sells itself easily: an English-speaking EU country with a booming multinational sector, salaries among Europe's highest, and a quality of life that keeps expats staying long after their "two years in Dublin" plan expires. But anyone who has tried to rent in Dublin recently knows the other side of the story — a housing market with vacancy rates near zero, fierce competition for every listing, and rents that can swallow a third of a good salary. Moving to Ireland for work in 2026 is absolutely worth doing, but it rewards preparation more than almost any other European move. This guide is your complete relocation checklist: the PPS number, the Critical Skills permit holder's timeline, the honest truth about Dublin rentals, realistic monthly budgets, banking, and healthcare.

Before you fly: the pre-arrival checklist

Get these sorted while you still have a home base — everything is harder from a hotel room in Dublin.

• Employment permit secured. Most non-EU professionals arrive on a Critical Skills Employment Permit (for roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List, typically degree-level with a salary above the threshold) or a General Employment Permit. Your employer usually sponsors the application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Confirm the permit is approved before booking one-way flights.
• Entry visa (if required). Citizens of many countries need a visa to enter Ireland even with a permit approved — check with your local Irish embassy. The permit is not a visa.
• Temporary accommodation booked. Book at least 2–4 weeks of temporary housing (hotel, Airbnb, serviced apartment). You will almost certainly not secure a long-term rental before arriving — landlords want to meet tenants and see proof of Irish employment.
• Documents folder (physical and digital): passport, employment permit, job contract, degree certificates, references from previous landlords, bank statements, and an international driving licence if relevant. Irish landlords and letting agents ask for a lot of paperwork.
• Health insurance gap cover. Arrange cover for your first weeks until you are registered in the Irish system (more below).
• Budget buffer: arrive with at least two months' expenses saved. Deposits, first month's rent, and setup costs hit all at once.

Your first two weeks: the critical admin sprint

Treat your first fortnight as an admin project. Do these in roughly this order:

1. Register with immigration (GNIB/IRP). Non-EU nationals must register with immigration and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. Book the appointment as early as possible — slots in Dublin fill up. Bring your passport, permit, contract, and proof of address (your temporary accommodation usually suffices initially).
2. Apply for your PPS number. The Personal Public Service (PPS) number is Ireland's tax and social-welfare identifier — you cannot be properly payroll-taxed without one. Apply at an Intreo centre or via the online PPS allocation service, bringing your passport, proof of address, and evidence you need it (your employment contract). Many employers can run payroll on an emergency tax basis until it arrives, but get the application in during week one.
3. Open a bank account. You will need it for salary, rent payments and deposits. The main retail banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB) and digital options (Revolut, N26 — both hugely popular in Ireland) all work; digital banks are fastest if you lack proof of permanent address. Landlords strongly prefer rent from an Irish or SEPA account.
4. Register with a GP. Find a local GP practice accepting new patients and register — do not wait until you are ill. If eligible, apply for a medical card or GP visit card via the HSE.
5. Get an Irish phone number. Pay-as-you-go SIMs from Three, Vodafone or Eir are available immediately; you will need a local number for rental applications, banking verification and job-related admin.
6. Start the housing hunt in earnest (see below) — this is your full-time job alongside work for the first weeks.

Dublin rental market reality: the honest picture

No sugar-coating: Dublin is one of Europe's toughest rental markets. Demand from multinational hiring vastly exceeds supply, new listings attract dozens of enquiries within hours, and viewing appointments feel like job interviews in reverse. Go in with this mindset and the right tactics:

• Where to search: daft.ie is the dominant property portal — set up instant alerts for your criteria and respond within minutes. Also check rent.ie, Facebook groups (Dublin rent-a-room and accommodation groups are very active), and your employer's internal relocation channels. Some multinationals run short-term corporate housing or have deals with letting agents — ask HR before you arrive.
• What to expect at viewings: bring a "rental CV" — employment contract or offer letter, references, proof of funds, photo ID. Be ready to decide on the spot; hesitation loses apartments.
• Deposits and upfront costs: typically one month's deposit plus the first month's rent upfront. Never transfer money for a property you have not viewed (or had a trusted person view) — rental scams targeting newcomers are common.
• Sharing is normal: many professionals share houses or apartments well into their thirties in Dublin; it is a financial and social norm, not a compromise.
• Consider the commuter belt: areas along the DART, Luas and commuter rail lines (and cities like Cork, Galway and Limerick if your job allows) offer meaningfully lower rents. Ireland's regional cities have their own multinational hubs and far calmer housing markets.

For broader context on the Irish job market itself, see our highest-paying jobs in Ireland guide and the Ireland country guide.

Realistic monthly budgets for 2026

Budgets below assume a single professional; Dublin figures reflect the rental reality described above. All figures approximate and in euro.

Context: a Critical Skills permit holder in tech or pharma might earn €55,000–€85,000 gross, which after Irish income tax, USC and PRSI leaves roughly €3,400–€4,900 net per month. The maths works — but only if you budget for Dublin rents honestly before accepting the offer. Negotiate relocation support (temporary housing, flights, shipping allowance) into your package; employers competing for international talent expect it.

Banking: getting set up

• Fastest route: open a Revolut or N26 account before you even fly — both operate fully in Ireland, give you an IBAN immediately, and handle salary payments fine.
• Traditional banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB) offer fuller services (mortgages later, in-branch support) but typically require proof of Irish address, so they come second.
• Credit history does not transfer — you start from zero. A few months of salary payments and direct debits build your local footprint.
• Keep your home-country account open for the transition period; international transfers via Wise or Revolut beat bank wire fees.

Healthcare: how the Irish system works

Ireland has a mixed public-private system that confuses newcomers, so here is the short version:

• Public system (HSE): as a resident worker paying PRSI, you are entitled to public hospital care, though waiting lists for non-urgent treatment can be long. GP visits typically cost €50–€70 out of pocket unless you hold a medical card or GP visit card (income-tested).
• Private health insurance: very common — around half the population holds it (VHI, Laya, Irish Life Health). It buys faster access to consultants and private hospitals. Many multinational employers include it in benefits packages; if yours does, that is worth real money.
• EU citizens: bring your EHIC/GHIC for the transition period, but register in the Irish system once resident.
• Prescriptions: the Drugs Payment Scheme caps household prescription costs at a monthly maximum — register if you take regular medication.

Settling in: the softer stuff that matters

• Driving: many licences can be exchanged for an Irish one; others require theory and practical tests. Check the NDLS rules for your country early, as the process takes months.
• Tax: Ireland's tax year is the calendar year. Register with Revenue (your employer usually handles the basics), claim your tax credits — newcomers often overpay in year one and can claim refunds.
• Community: Dublin's expat scene is huge and welcoming — sports clubs (GAA clubs welcome beginners), Meetup groups, and workplace socials are the fastest way to build a circle.
• Weather expectations: mild, wet, and changeable — not cold by continental standards, but the rain is a lifestyle. A good waterproof jacket matters more than a heavy coat.
• Stamp 1G and beyond: Critical Skills permit holders can typically apply for long-term residence (Stamp 4 equivalent pathways) after the required period — track your permission stamps and renewal dates carefully from day one.

Your relocation timeline at a glance

1. 8–12 weeks out: permit approved, visa (if needed) applied for, temporary housing booked, documents folder assembled, savings buffer confirmed.
2. Week 1 in Ireland: immigration registration, PPS application, bank account, phone number, GP registration.
3. Weeks 2–6: intensive housing search, viewings with your rental CV ready, deposit paid, move in.
4. Months 2–3: Revenue registration check, tax credits claimed, driving licence exchange started, community building.
5. Ongoing: track permit renewal dates, build local credit footprint, and start exploring beyond Dublin — Ireland is small and very explorable.

Ireland rewards the well-prepared mover: the salaries are real, the multinational ecosystem is deep, and the lifestyle genuinely delivers — provided you respect the housing market and front-load the admin. Compare Ireland with its neighbours in our Germany and Poland guides, browse live European job listings, and explore technology roles where Irish demand is strongest.