Table of Contents

Pre Arrival Checklist

Visas & Permits
Salaries & Cost of Living
Social Security
Personal Public Service Number
Accommodation
Utilities Irish Water
Utilities Electricity and Gas
Utilities Refuse Collection
Utilities Broadband
Utilities Telephone
Public Transport in Ireland
Banking in Ireland
Taxation
Education in Ireland

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3
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4-5
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7
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8-9
10
11-12

Pre Arrival Checklist

Visas and Permits
Check what type (if any) is required for your nationality/profession. No point in looking to relocate to
Ireland if you are unable to gain permission.
Salaries & Cost of Living
Review typical cost of living in desired location; verify compatibility with salary.
Social Security & Welfare Programs
Review Social Security and other welfare programs
Personal Public Service Number
Find out your local office that administers PPS numbers
Get Proof of Identity and Evidence of Address documentation together
Visit with relevant documentation
Receive PPS Number to address supplied to them.
Accommodation
Decide on type of accommodation being sought
Do preliminary research to get an idea of prices and properties available
Decide on budget and locations
Identify places to stay
Contact offerings and visit
Utilities
Research industry offerings for:
Irish Water
Electricity & Gas
Refuse (waste) Collection
Broadband
Telephone
Contact and sign up to services.
Transport
Review desired means of transportation throughout Ireland
Banking
Decide on how you want to bank
Look at different options
Choose which bank you want to bank with
Get Proof of Identity and Evidence of Address documentation together
Visit with relevant documentation
Taxation
Inform yourself about the taxation schemes.
Education
If you have children, review the public education system.

Visas and Permits

To enter Ireland, you may require an Entry Visa, even if you are presently living in Ireland. Residents of the
European Union are exempt from this as they are entitled to freely travel and work in all member states. For up
to date information on Visas visit the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. Here you can
find all the information you need to apply for an entry Visa or Employment Permit in Ireland.
To work in Ireland, you may require an Employment Visa. You can apply for a working visa after receiving your
employment permit from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation (DJEI). You can apply for your
Employment visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to Ireland. The visa application is completed online.
Information regarding visa fees can be found here.
General Employment visa information can be found here.
Information regarding applying for a visa can be found here.
General Frequently Asked Questions regarding Visas can be found here.

Salary Survey & Cost of Living

The cost of living in Ireland varies depending on where you are living with rental prices in the Capital city of
Dublin far exceeding anywhere else within the country. It is worthwhile to consider the taxation on your salary
and cost of living before relocating to Ireland as this will directly impact your standard of living as well as your
ability to budget.
You can find information about the general cost of living within Ireland at the link below:
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Ireland
Check out Numbeo.com to get area specific charts.

Social Security
For information about Social Security and other welfare programs in Ireland, please refer to the two links below:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/
www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/home.aspx

Personal Public Service Number

Residences of Ireland each have a Personal Public Service Number (PPS Number). Your PPS Number is your
Personal Public Service Number. It is a unique identifier for use in any transactions you may have with public
bodies or persons authorised by those bodies to act on their behalf. Use of the number eliminates the possibility
of confusing one person with another and makes it possible for public bodies to operate more efficiently and
effectively with their customers.
If you are going to be working in Ireland, filing taxes, collecting child benefits or getting a driving licence
(amongst other things) then you will need a PPS Number. Your PPS number can only be requested by one of
the agencies listed in the Register of Users or by an authorised agent of one of these bodies. Your employer
will also use your PPS Number for the purposes of advising Revenue and Department of Social Protection of
your tax deductions and Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions.
The PPS Number is not a national identity number. It is designed to be used as a service enabler for the
purposes of public service administration. The number forms an essential element of your Public Service
Identity (PSI) which provides a speedy and efficient means of establishing identity for the purposes of access to
and dealings with all public service bodies. The PSI comprises the PPS Number and a defined set of personal
data. Your PSI is to be used exclusively in dealings with public bodies or with agents acting on behalf of public
bodies.
A PPS numbers is always 7 numbers followed by either one or two letters.
To get one you need to contact the Social Welfare Local Office which will assist you with the registration
process. To find the address or contact number of your local office consult the Departments website. You will
be asked to produce documentary evidence of identity and residence in this country.

The following documents are required for Proof of Identity and must be provided to establish
identity before a PPS number is allocated.
Citizenship
Irish National

United Kingdom Citizen

EU Nationals and Other EEA Citizens (Includes EU

Nationals and Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Norway, Switzerland)
Non EEA National

Required Documents for Proof of Identity

Birth or Adoption Certificate AND Valid
Photographic Identification (e.g. Passport or Current
Valid Full Irish or UK Driving License)
Passport or Birth Certificate AND Valid
Photographic Identification (e.g. Current Valid Irish
or UK Driving License)
Current Valid Passport or National Identity Card

Current Valid Passport or National Identity Card

The following are not acceptable as Proof of ID:

Baptismal Certificate
Employment Identity cards or Personal letters
Photo-copies of certificates/document
Expired documents (For Irish and UK citizens passports expired within the last 12 months may be
accepted)
Address Documents
The document submitted as proof of address must show the customers name and address and can be any one
of the following:
A household utility bill
An official letter/document,
Financial statement,
Property lease or tenancy agreement,
Verifiable* employer's letter,
Confirmation of address by a third party such as a school principal/administrator,
Accommodation/property owner**or manager.
* It is not necessary that the employer owns/provides the address accommodation.
** Where an applicant is staying with friends/relatives an original household bill plus a note from the bill holder confirming
residency at the bill address is acceptable. This note can be written on the bill itself.

Notification of PPS Number

Following successful registration, customers will need to set up an appointment with the Department of Social
Protector. To set up an appointment, visit mywelfare.ie. After registration, you will be given a valid appointment
with a date, time, and desk number. Registering online is mandatory.

Accommodation
Finding an Accommodation
Due to varying quality in the rental market it is advisable to visit any place you are thinking of renting. If you are
looking to rent only a room it may be difficult if you are not even in the country as the other occupants will more
than likely want to meet you first!! Don't worry though you can always rent short term accommodation or stay in
a Hostel so you have somewhere to stay when you are looking for longer term accommodation.
Short Term Accommodation:
HostelBookers: Prices and availability of Hostels in Ireland. Ideal for the short term.
HostelWorld: Prices and availability of Hostels in Ireland. Ideal for the short term.
Apartments2book.com: Apartments for short term rentals.
DublinShortLets: Apartments for short term rentals.
Long Term Rental/Sharing Accommodation:
Daft.ie: Provides a range of different options from house shares to letting
MyHome.ie: Provides a range of different options from house shares to letting
Let.ie: Listings of places to let throughout Ireland
To get an idea of rental prices in Ireland, Daft.ie provides a through infographic here.

Securing an Accommodation
When you find a place to stay the landlord will expect one or two months deposit and a
months rent in advance. The deposit will be returned upon leaving as long there is no damage to the properties
furnishings. In general leases are for 12 months though shorter term leases can sometimes be available.
When renting a room in a house it is possible for less time though a months notice should be given before
leaving or the deposit can be forfeited.
When renting make sure that no monies are handed over until a contract has been signed as there have been
cases of people fraudulently obtaining monies in this manner.
When renting in Ireland there, it is important to review your rights as a tenant. Below are a few organisations
that provide information and partisan advice free of charge.
Information on Tenant's Rights:
Threshold.ie: The National Housing Charity provides information on a tenants rights.
Citizens Information: A Public Service body that provides information on citizens rights within Ireland.
An excellent resource.

Utilities
After securing an accommodation, you will need to decide on utility providers and sign up for certain
services in Ireland.
Irish Water
Ireland recently introduced the use of private water and sewerage companies. As a result, it is necessary to
register and pay for these services directly to a private company.
Details regarding Irish water can be found here.

Electricity & Gas

There are many different providers of electricity and gas in Ireland with varying prices and sign up deals. It
is possible to have different providers for electricity and gas, though some do provide packages for both.
Make sure to look around before choosing providers as prices do vary with dual packages not always being
cheapest.
Below are some of the electricity providers in the Irish market.
Electric Ireland: https://www.electricireland.ie/
Energia: http://www.energia.ie/
SSE Airtricity: https://www.sseairtricity.com/ie/home/
Bord Gais Energy: http://www.bordgaisenergy.ie/
FloGas Natural Gas: http://www.flogasnaturalgas.ie/
Panda Power: http://www.pandapower.ie/
Pay As You Go: https://www.prepaypower.ie/
You can also use a comparison service such as Switcher or UChoose to compare options.

Refuse Collection
It is necessary to apply for a domestic refuse service in Ireland. Information about the services, rates, and
applications can be found here.
Broadband
There are many different broadband providers in Ireland; you can use a comparison site such as Switcher
to quickly compare options.
Telephones
A good site with information regarding telephone providers and general telephone information in Ireland
can be found here.
Public Transportation in Ireland
Within cities, Ireland has a large public transportation system with a variety of routes and a tracking system
to ensure on time arrival. Ireland also has commuter rails which run between towns farther apart; however,
the commuter rails are less convenient than the buses in the cities.

Banking
Upon arrival in Ireland it is recommended to open up a local Current Account in one of the banks operating
there. Banking in Ireland is a modern, up to date system with banking hours generally between 09.30 am
and 04.30pm Monday to Friday, though some branches open later on select days and also on Saturdays.
Cash can be withdrawn from ATM's (Automated Teller Machines) in most towns and villages throughout the
country and Debit/Credit cards can be used to pay for goods and services with most businesses.
With varying rates, fees and offerings, it is necessary to research the different options before choosing
which bank to set up an account with. If you prefer to conduct your business face-to-face then you should
choose a bank that has a branch in your local area or if you prefer distance banking then choose one that
has good online and telephone services.
To assist in choosing your banking provider we have compiled a list of banks operating in the Irish market.
Bank of Ireland: https://personalbanking.bankofireland.com
KBC: https://www.kbc.ie
Permanent TSB: https://permanenttsb.ie
Allied Irish Banks (AIB): http://personal.aib.ie
Ulster Bank: http://ww.ulsterbank.ie
EBS: http://www.ebs.ie
You can also use the comparison website Bonkers to see the differences between some of the banks
current accounts.

Setting up a Current Account:

To set up your banks current account you need to have Proof of Identity and Evidence of Address. Check
how many pieces of each you need as it may differ depending on the bank (to be safe you can bring two
pieces of each).
When you are opening an account you cannot use the same document as proof of both your identity and
your address. Below we have set out the minimum requirements though the bank may look for further
information, so be sure contact your local bank before visiting.
You can prove your identity with any of the following:
A valid passport
A current Irish driving licence
A National Age Card (issued by An Garda Siochana)
An identification form with a photograph signed by a member of An Garda Siochana
Documents issued by Government departments showing your name.
Government documents must be verified by a statement from a person in a position of
responsibility such as a solicitor, accountant, doctor, community employment scheme
supervisor or social worker. That person must also come to the bank themselves with proof of
their own identity.

You can provide evidence of your address with any of these documents:
A current utility bill (such as a gas, electricity or telephone or mobile phone bill)
A current car or home insurance policy that shows your address
A document issued by a government department that shows your address
A list of your tax credits

A current balancing statement or a C2 certificate from the Revenue Commissioners

A social insurance document (that shows your address)
A letter from your employer or licensed employment agency stating that you have recently
arrived in Ireland and have started work but cannot yet provide evidence of your Irish address
(you will have to provide evidence of your address at a later date)
In some cases a bank may ask you for your PPS Number for example, if you are claiming tax
relief on the interest paid on a mortgage loan.
Copies of all documentation used to establish the identity of the customer must be retained for five years
after an account is closed. Copies of transactions must be kept for five years after the date of the
transaction.
Bank staff are required to know the nature of their customers' business and can ask for information about
the level and type of business that is likely to be transacted through the account. You can also be asked to
provide confirmation of the source of your funds and to give reasons for carrying out certain transactions.
For further information regarding banking, see the link below:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/personal_finance/financial_institutions/opening_and_s
witching_a_bank_account.html

Taxation
In Ireland your new employer will deduct tax from your pay under the PAYE
(Pay As You Earn) system. To make sure that your tax is properly dealt with from the start and that your
employer deducts the right amount of tax from your pay, you should do the following two things:
1. Give your employer your PPS number (Personal and Public Service Number). They will then let the
tax office know that you have started work.
2. Apply for a certificate of tax credits by completing the Revenue Form 12A (Application for a
Certificate of Tax Credits and Standard Rate Cut-Off Point) and sending it to the tax office. Ask
your employer for a form 12A and they will tell you to which tax office the completed form 12A
should be sent. If your employer does not have a form 12A, you can get one from any tax office or
telephone 1890 30 67 06.
**Do these as soon as you can as this will give your employer and the tax office time to get things sorted out before
your first pay-day.

After the Form 12A has been sent in to the tax office they will send you a Certificate of Tax Credits and
Standard Rate Cut-Off Point, which sets out in detail the amount of tax credits due to you. The tax office will
also send a Certificate of Tax Credits and Standard Rate Cut-Off Point to your employer which shows the
total amount of your tax credits.

You pay taxes on:

Earnings of all kinds arising from your employment including bonuses, overtime, non-cash pay - known
as benefit-in-kind e.g. use of company car, tips, Christmas boxes etc.
You do not pay taxes on:
Scholarship income
Interest from Savings Certificates, Savings Bonds and National Instalment Savings Schemes with An
Post.
Payments to approved pension schemes.
The amount of tax you pay depends on your level of pay and the amount of your tax credits. If your pay
on any pay-day is less than your tax-free allowances then you dont pay tax on that pay-day. If your pay
is more than your tax-free allowances you pay tax on the difference.
To figure out how much tax you will be paying in Ireland, check out this excellent tax calculator from
Deloitte: http://services.deloitte.ie/tc/
You can also find out more about taxation and savings from the revenue:
http://www.revenue.ie/en/personal/faqs/starting-work-tax.html
For Citizen Information:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/tax/income_tax_credits_and_reliefs/

Education, Creches and Childcare

In Ireland it is compulsory for all children to attend school between the ages of 6 and 16 or until students
have completed three years of Secondary School.
Education under 6:
The compulsory school age in Ireland is 6 and all forms of pre-primary education are optional. However,
children from the age of 4 can be enrolled in infant classes in primary schools. Nearly 40% of 4-year-olds and
virtually all 5-year-olds attend primary school, where early education is provided in infant classes.
National Exam System:
A national exam system is the key method of assessing students and the curriculum and style of
teaching are all built around the need of passing these exams. The key exams occur at the end of high
school and determine placement in universities and technical institutes. Even some college exams are
national.
These exams, while putting a damper on innovative teaching, do keep everyone honest. Students must
thoroughly know their subject to graduate with decent marks.

Quality of Irish Schools

Schools in Ireland are uniformly well thought of. All schools have open enrolment and offer an open
house to invite prospective students and their families to get to know the school; if a family does not like
a certain school, they can choose a different school. School buses are offered in a small radius around
the schools, however, and if you would like to send your children to a school a few towns over, you will
need to provide transportation.
All schools are teaching to the same core curriculum and the testing at the end of the junior certificate
(junior high) and leaving certificate (high school) keeps everyone focused.
The major exams at the end of the Junior Certificate/Jr. High and Leaving Certificate/Senior
High and at the end of every college year are all national. Everyone in the nation takes the same exam.
There are no multiple choice answers on exams which encourages deep understanding of classroom
material.
There is no grade inflation in order to keep grades reflective of performance. The only grades that count
towards college are the national exams given at the end of the academic school year.

Typical Academic Year

Primary: Sept 1st to June 30th
Secondary/high school: All secondary schools operate on a unified national calendar. All high schools
now open in the last few days in August. They all finish about the end of the first week in June. Third year
students (in the US. this is 9th grade) and 6th year students (US 12th grade) attend for another 3 weeks
of exams.

Third level/University: The starting date varies widely with the Technical Institutes usually opening
earlier and closing later - mid-September to early June. The University Colleges usually begin around the
first week in October and finish around the end of May. After a short "study" break there is a several
week round of exams for all students.
Religion in the Schools
Although religious figures no longer are the sole teachers at school, religion still plays a large role in the Irish
Education system (primarily Catholicism). Religion classes are mandatory through Junior Certificate and at the
High School level, the religious classes focus primarily on values and citizenship. At the elementary level,
classes involve learn the liturgy.
Even though the majority of schools are Catholic, there are Jewish, Muslim and a growing number of
non-denominational schools. For more on this topic, click here.
Curriculum
The curriculum, aside from the religious classes, is totally out of the hands of the church. That includes science
where there are no bogus debates about evolution.
The Department of Education is responsible for setting curriculum. This is done, usually, by committees
of teachers, textbook publishers and Department Inspectors who themselves were teachers for many
years. In a few controversial cases like a withdrawn "values education" course, outside firms are hired to
devise a curriculum which is then inspected by the appropriate committee.
For more information about the Irish education system, please see the following links:
http://www.educationinireland.com/en/
https://www.education.ie/en/The-Education-System/
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/the_irish_education_system/overview_of_the_irish_educ
ation_system.html
http://irelandnow.com/education.html