Living and Working in Ireland
Quick links: Accommodation / Bank Accounts / Phones / Healthcare / Pay & Bens / Tax / Visas / Travel
Accommodation
If you’re looking to move to Ireland long term you might want to buy. You will also need to find out how much you can borrow, how much the deposit will be etc. However as an Irish first time buyer you won’t have to pay stamp duty.
If stability is the last thing on your mind and you just need a place for R&R, you’re more likely to want to rent in amongst the hustle and bustle of Ireland’s capital city Dublin, with its buzzing nightlife and unique charm.
Dublin boasts a range of affordable accommodation both in the city and its outskirts.
- Monthly rent varies from €800- €1,200 per month
- In most cases, you will be asked to put one month’s rent down as a deposit which will be returned once you leave depending on the condition of the property
- Tenants must pay utilities bills such as gas, water and electricity in addition to rent and deposit
- The most common lease terms are 6 months to a year or 1-2 years, with a notice period (usually one rental month) written into the contract
The Evening Herald, a daily newspaper, is a great source of flats, houses and shared accommodation in the Dublin area. DAFT.ie is a nationwide accommodation website and is extremely useful in finding all types of accommodation: www.daft.ie. Other useful websites include www.let.ie and www.myhome2let.ie
Alternative options include university notice boards such as Trinity College, University College Dublin and Dublin College University.
Bank Accounts
To live and work in Ireland you will need a bank account. Shop around to find one that meets your needs, but make sure you’re aware of the associated fees and charges.
You'll need as much ID as possible, including your passport, proof of address (bills, rent receipts or a lease), a letter from your employer, bank statements and a letter/reference from your bank at home - ensure you get this before you leave. You can also set up a bank account in Ireland prior to arrival, by contacting your bank at home.
Major retail banks in Ireland include - AIB, Anglo Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland
Mobile phones
The main mobile phone providers in Ireland are Vodafone, O2 and Meteor
Healthcare
Whether you’re moving to Ireland alone or bringing family, you will at some point require medical assistance. Depending on your income and individual entitlements, there are a number of Private Healthcare insurers you can choose from. All foreigners are required to have health insurance valid for use in Ireland. There is no National Health Service available in the Republic of Ireland. To find local doctors, request a list from your insurance company.
However Ireland’s health scheme does provide benefits for hospital treatment during your stay, but not for private medical services or prescription medicines. Public hospital care is available for a small fee for the first 10 days of your stay in any year. It is free thereafter. A fee is charged for attendance at outpatient or accident and emergency departments if you are not referred by a doctor.
You will have to pay the full cost of visits to private doctors. A fee is charged for prescription medicines. After a certain amount has been spent during each month the Health Board refunds additional charges under the Drugs Payments Scheme.
Pay & Benefits
Employment rates are high but salaries tend to be lower than in the United States and some parts of Europe. On the plus side, the workplace is more laidback with welcoming and friendly people.
In addition to benefits such as a company car, subsidised holidays and help with travel costs, changes in legislation allow employees to buy shares without incurring significant tax liabilities.
Legislation safeguards a minimum of four weeks paid leave per year. Employees have no legal right to paid sick leave - it is at the employers’ discretion.
Tax
Income tax is deducted by your employer on behalf of the Irish Government. This is known as Pay As You Earn (PAYE). The amount of tax you pay depends on your income and personal circumstances, please refer to the Department of Revenue's website www.revenue.ie
To work in Ireland you need to obtain a Social Security (PPS) number and complete the relevant tax forms from your local Social Welfare Office. To obtain your PPS number, you will need to bring your passport, proof of your address in Dublin and proof of your home address. For a complete list of local offices visit: www.taxback.com
You will also need to complete a 12A form to register for tax credits which can be obtained from the Irish Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/forms/form12a.pdf.
If you have paid tax and are returning home, you may be able to claim a refund from the tax office for some or all of the tax paid depending on your level of income and unused tax credits. To claim a refund you should ask the tax office for a P50 form (First Claim for Tax Repayment during Unemployment) and send it with your P45 to your tax office.
Taxback.com is a company that can organise refunds for you. Their site has FAQs and offers a free online refund calculation service: www.taxback.com.
Visas
If you live outside the EU you may require a visa or work permit to live in Ireland. Check your status prior to departure and if you are bringing your family you will also need to check their eligibility.
Travel
Dublin can be a bit of an ordeal if you’re driving, though cars can be great for a day trip. If you do decide to brave it, the M50 runs south to County Wexford which enjoys more sunshine than anywhere else in Ireland.
Dublin’s extensive bus network radiates from the city centre to the suburbs and in addition to standard services, it runs airport, ‘Nitelink’ and sightseeing tours. Cost of tickets vary and can be bought from over 350 agents throughout Dublin.
The Dublin Area Rapid Transport (DART) runs cross-town train services from the two main stations, Heuston and Connolly. The LUAS is a brand new, light-rail system - there are machines at every stop and tickets are available from newsagents.
