Ireland offers a combination of English-speaking cities, a strong international community, beautiful countryside, access to the Atlantic coast, and a distinctive cultural lifestyle. Whether you are moving to Ireland for work, university, family, retirement or a new lifestyle, understanding housing, living costs, healthcare, transport, employment and immigration rules can make settling in much easier.
Living in Ireland can be very different depending on where you choose to settle. Dublin is the country's largest urban centre and has a particularly strong concentration of international businesses, technology companies, professional services and cultural activities. Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford provide alternatives with different housing markets, employment opportunities and lifestyles.
Ireland is an English-speaking country, although Irish is also an official language and is widely used in education, government and Irish-speaking communities. For many international residents, the English language makes everyday communication, employment and integration easier than in countries where English is not widely spoken.
Ireland also has a large international population. Census 2022 recorded 631,785 non-Irish citizens, equivalent to 12% of the usually resident population at the time of the census. This international population contributes to the country's multicultural character, particularly in larger cities and university centres.
The cost of living in Ireland depends heavily on housing location. Accommodation is usually one of the biggest expenses for people moving to Ireland, particularly in Dublin and other areas with strong rental demand.
People moving to Ireland should calculate their expected housing cost first and then build a monthly budget around transport, food, utilities, healthcare, insurance, taxes and discretionary spending.
Do not calculate your Irish budget using rent alone. Consider the full cost of accommodation, including electricity, heating, internet, transport to work, insurance and other recurring household expenses.
Finding accommodation is one of the most important steps when moving to Ireland. Dublin is often the most expensive and competitive rental market, while other cities and towns can offer different housing options and commuting patterns.
Ireland's rental rules changed significantly on 1 March 2026. A national rent-control system now applies to private tenancies and student-specific accommodation, replacing the previous Rent Pressure Zone system. In general, rent increases are limited to 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower, subject to specific rules and exemptions.
The rules can differ according to when a tenancy began, the type of accommodation and whether certain legal exceptions apply. People renting in Ireland should check the latest Residential Tenancies Board information before relying on a particular rule.
For many private tenancies, tenants obtain security of tenure after living continuously in the property for six months without receiving a valid Notice of Termination during that period. However, the exact rights and termination rules depend on the tenancy date and circumstances.
Dublin is Ireland's capital and largest city. It is a major centre for technology, finance, professional services, education, government, tourism and international business.
Cork is Ireland's second-largest city and an important centre for technology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, business and education. It combines an urban environment with access to coastal and rural areas.
Galway is known for its university population, arts scene, tourism, technology and proximity to the west coast. It is popular with students, professionals and people who want access to outdoor activities.
Limerick is an important regional centre with universities, technology companies, manufacturing, healthcare and professional services. Housing and lifestyle options can differ considerably from Dublin.
Waterford is a smaller city in the southeast and offers a more compact urban environment. It has education, healthcare, business and technology activity and provides access to the southeast coast.
Outside the major cities, Ireland offers towns and rural communities where people may have access to lower-density living, countryside and coastal environments. A car can become more important depending on the location and employment situation.
Public transport is particularly useful in Dublin and the larger urban centres. Depending on where you live, you may use buses, Luas trams, DART trains, commuter rail or intercity rail services.
The TFI Leap Card can be used across many Transport for Ireland services, including buses, Luas, DART and commuter rail in relevant areas. In Dublin, the TFI 90 Minute Fare currently allows eligible travel across several services for one fare when using a Leap Card.
For people who commute regularly, it is worth comparing the cost of public transport with the full cost of owning a car, including fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance, parking and depreciation.
A car is not essential for everyone in Ireland. People living and working in central Dublin can often manage daily life using buses, Luas, DART, trains, walking and cycling.
Outside the largest urban areas, however, car ownership can become considerably more useful. The availability and frequency of public transport varies between cities, towns and rural areas.
Before choosing a home, check the actual commute rather than simply looking at the distance on a map. Irish traffic, road layouts, public transport frequency and connections can make travel times very different from what a simple distance calculation suggests.
Ireland has a public healthcare system alongside private healthcare and private health insurance. The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides and manages a large part of public health services.
Healthcare costs depend on the service used and a person's eligibility. A GP visit card allows eligible holders to see a participating GP without paying the GP consultation fee, although medicines and other services can still involve charges.
A medical card provides broader benefits. Depending on eligibility, it can cover GP visits, most prescribed medicines subject to applicable charges, public outpatient and inpatient services, eye and ear tests and dental checks.
Ireland has a diversified economy with major employment sectors including technology, pharmaceuticals, financial services, professional services, healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, manufacturing and construction.
Dublin has a particularly large concentration of international employers, while Cork, Galway, Limerick and other locations also have important employment clusters.
Your right to work depends on your citizenship and immigration status. EU, EEA and UK citizens have different arrangements from nationals of countries outside those areas. Nationals of countries outside the EU, UK and Switzerland who intend to live and work in Ireland generally need an appropriate employment permit and, where applicable, an entry visa.
Jobs in Ireland for ForeignersImmigration requirements depend on your nationality, purpose of stay and intended duration. Moving to Ireland for tourism is different from moving for employment, education, family reunification or long-term residence.
Non-EU/EEA/UK/Swiss nationals planning to live and work in Ireland for 90 days or more generally need to hold the appropriate immigration permission and register with Immigration Service Delivery.
Before moving, check the current official requirements for your specific nationality and reason for moving. Immigration rules can change, and the requirements for employment permits, visas, registration and residence permissions are not identical for every person.
Ireland Work Visa GuideA Personal Public Service Number, commonly called a PPS Number or PPSN, is used to access a range of social welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland.
When applying for a PPS Number, applicants generally need to provide evidence of identity, evidence of address and a reason for needing the PPSN.
A PPSN is an important part of setting up everyday life in Ireland, particularly for employment and interactions with public services.
Opening and managing a bank account is an important part of settling into Ireland. Your requirements can vary depending on the bank and your circumstances.
You may need identification, proof of address and other documents. New arrivals should check the individual bank's current requirements before applying.
Digital banking is widely used in Ireland, and contactless payments are common for everyday purchases. Keeping a local bank account can also make salary payments and recurring household payments easier to manage.
Ireland has a competitive telecommunications market with mobile, broadband and fibre services available in many parts of the country.
When choosing a home, check broadband availability at the exact address rather than assuming that a service advertised as available in an area will be available at every property.
For mobile services, compare contract and prepaid options based on data requirements, coverage, international calls and roaming needs.
Ireland has universities, technological universities, institutes and other education providers serving domestic and international students.
Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and other university cities have substantial student populations. Students moving from abroad should research tuition fees, accommodation, immigration permission, healthcare arrangements and living costs before accepting a place.
Study in IrelandIreland can be suitable for families who want access to schools, parks, sports clubs, community activities and outdoor spaces. However, the best location depends on employment, school availability, housing costs and commuting requirements.
Families should investigate schools and childcare before choosing a home. The distance between home, school and workplace can have a major effect on everyday life.
Ireland also has extensive sports and community participation, with Gaelic games, football, rugby, athletics, swimming, cycling and many local clubs available in different communities.
Ireland has a temperate maritime climate. Weather can change quickly, and rain is a normal part of everyday life in many parts of the country.
People moving from warmer or drier countries often need time to adapt to Ireland's combination of wind, rain, cloud cover and relatively moderate temperatures.
One of the major attractions of living in Ireland is access to natural landscapes. Depending on where you live, you can reach beaches, cliffs, mountains, lakes, rivers, forests and rural walking routes.
People who enjoy outdoor activities can often find opportunities close to home, although access varies considerably between urban and rural locations.
Irish culture has strong traditions in music, storytelling, literature, sport and community life. Pubs can play an important social role, but Ireland's social life extends far beyond pubs.
Ireland's cities also have large international communities, so newcomers can find social groups and activities connected with many different countries and cultures.
English is the main language used in everyday life, business and most workplaces. Irish, or Gaeilge, is also an official language and is taught in the education system.
Some communities known as Gaeltacht areas use Irish extensively. Outside those communities, English is normally the main language newcomers encounter in daily life.
Ireland has supermarkets, shopping centres, independent shops, online retailers, pharmacies, markets and specialist stores in urban and regional areas.
Dublin has the largest concentration of shopping and specialist retail, while Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford also have established retail centres.
People living outside major cities should check local opening hours and transport options, particularly if they do not own a car.
Remote and hybrid work have become important options for some Irish workers, particularly in technology, professional services and other office-based sectors.
However, working remotely does not automatically mean that every rural location is suitable. Before choosing a remote-work home, check broadband availability, mobile coverage, heating costs, workspace requirements and access to essential services.
A salary in Ireland should always be considered together with income tax, social insurance, housing costs, transport, childcare, healthcare and other household expenses.
Two people earning the same gross salary can have very different disposable incomes depending on where they live and whether they rent alone, share accommodation, own a car or support a family.
Ireland is generally regarded as a relatively safe country, but normal precautions remain important. Crime levels and the type of incidents reported vary between locations and can change over time.
Ireland has a substantial international population. Expats can be found across technology, healthcare, education, hospitality, finance, construction, research and many other sectors.
For newcomers, the easiest way to settle in is often to combine practical preparation with social integration. Finding accommodation, getting the right immigration status, arranging employment or education, obtaining a PPS Number where needed, understanding healthcare and building a local social network are all important.
Life in Ireland for ExpatsIreland offers English-speaking communities, international employment opportunities, universities, cultural activities and access to extensive countryside and coastline. Whether it suits you depends on your housing budget, employment, family circumstances, preferred climate and desired lifestyle.
Ireland can be expensive, particularly when housing is taken into account. Costs vary considerably between Dublin, other cities, towns and rural areas. Housing should normally be one of the first items considered when preparing a budget.
There is no single best location for everyone. Dublin may suit people seeking a large employment market and extensive urban services, while Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and smaller towns offer different combinations of employment, housing and lifestyle.
Dublin is generally one of the most expensive places in Ireland for housing. The total cost of living also depends on commuting, household size, transport, childcare, food and lifestyle.
Yes. Ireland has a large international population. However, the immigration permission required depends on citizenship, purpose of stay and duration. Non-EU/EEA/UK/Swiss nationals should check the specific immigration requirements that apply to them.
Yes, subject to the applicable immigration and employment rules. Nationals of countries outside the EU, UK and Switzerland may need an employment permit and, where applicable, a visa and immigration registration.
A PPS Number is used for a range of Irish public services and social welfare purposes. Applicants must normally demonstrate their identity, address and a reason for requiring a PPS Number.
Ireland has a public healthcare system, but not every healthcare service is automatically free for every resident. Eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards can provide access to particular services without the usual consultation charge, subject to the relevant rules.
A GP visit card allows eligible people to visit a participating GP without paying the GP consultation fee. Medicines and other services may still involve charges.
A medical card can cover GP visits, most prescribed medicines subject to applicable prescription charges, public outpatient and inpatient services, eye and ear tests and dental checks, depending on the applicable rules.
Public transport is strongest in Dublin and the major urban centres. Dublin has buses, Luas, DART and commuter rail, while other cities and towns have different combinations of bus and rail services. Transport availability is more limited in many rural areas.
Yes, particularly if you live in central Dublin or another well-connected urban area. A car can become more useful outside major cities, especially where public transport services are less frequent.
Ireland introduced a national rent-control system for private tenancies and student-specific accommodation from 1 March 2026. The exact rules depend on the tenancy and circumstances, so renters should check current RTB guidance before signing or challenging a tenancy arrangement.
Under the current RTB framework, a tenant generally obtains security of tenure after six continuous months if a valid Notice of Termination was not served during that period. The precise rights and termination rules depend on when the tenancy was created and other circumstances.
Ireland has a temperate maritime climate with relatively mild temperatures compared with many continental climates. Rain, wind and changing weather conditions are common, while summer temperatures are generally moderate.
Ireland can suit families looking for schools, community activities, sports and access to outdoor spaces. The best location depends on school availability, employment, housing and commuting requirements.
Ireland has universities and other higher-education institutions with international student populations. Students should investigate tuition, accommodation, immigration permissions, healthcare and living expenses before moving.
The main urban centres include Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Ireland also has many smaller towns and regional communities that can provide different housing and lifestyle options.
Ireland has a substantial international population and English is the primary language used in everyday life. Expats can find international communities, professional networks, universities, cultural organisations and social groups in many parts of the country.
Research your immigration status, employment or study arrangements, housing, healthcare, taxes, PPS Number requirements, transport, banking and expected monthly expenses. Having important documents prepared before arrival can make the first weeks considerably easier.
Immigration, employment, healthcare, taxation and rental regulations can change. Information on this page is intended as a general guide. For legal, immigration, tenancy, healthcare or tax decisions, always check the latest information from the relevant Irish government department or official authority.