Living in Ireland
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-06)

Information about moving to, living or retiring in Ireland – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

Getting help with living in Ireland

Help from the Irish government

For any questions about moving to or living in Ireland, you may be able to get help from the:

Irish Embassy in London (https://www.ireland.ie/en/greatbritain/london/)

Irish Immigration Service (https://www.irishimmigration.ie/)

The UK government and the British Embassy in Dublin cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Ireland.

Professional help in country

You can also get help from professionals (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad) in Ireland, including:

lawyers

notaries

funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Ireland (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland) to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Ireland. This includes the latest information on:

visas and entry requirements

laws and cultural differences

safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad).

Get help from the UK government abroad (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/), including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Ireland (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland/entry-requirements) before you travel.

Visas

British nationals do not need a visa to live, work or study in Ireland.

For more information, read guidance on:

the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government-in-ireland/ireland-and-the-uk/common-travel-area-between-ireland-and-the-uk/)

residence rights of British citizens in Ireland after Brexit (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government-in-ireland/ireland-and-the-uk/residence-rules-UK-citizens/)

family members and dependants who are not British nationals (https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/joining-your-uk-national-family-member/)

Citizenship

Ireland recognises dual citizenship with the UK. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become an Irish citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Irish citizenship, read guidance on becoming an Irish citizen (https://www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/).

Residency if you moved to Ireland before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Ireland before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-europe).

Any non-European Economic Area (EEA) or non-Swiss family members or dependants living with you at that time should have replaced their Irish Resident’s Card with a Withdrawal Agreement card.

Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

apply for a British passport from abroad

travel urgently without your British passport

Although Ireland is in the EU, it is not in the Schengen area.

Always carry your passport and residency document when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm). If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence document or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.

European Entry/Exit System (EES)

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system) (EES) there are new rules for entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm). Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area.

Ireland will not use the EES. British nationals resident in Ireland will have to register with the EES to travel to other EU countries.

For more information about the EES, read:

EU guidance on the EES (https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en)

guidance on the EES for UK nationals (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system)

Healthcare in Ireland

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

plan your healthcare

take medicine abroad

To find out how to get medical treatment:

contact your insurance provider

read guidance on healthcare in Ireland (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-ireland) and health in Ireland (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland/health)

find medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Ireland (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ireland-list-of-medical-facilitiespractitioners)

Working in Ireland

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

You do not need a work permit or visa to work in Ireland.

To apply for a job, you may need to provide a:

UK police certificate (https://www.acro.police.uk/s/acro-services/police-certificates)

Garda police certificate (https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/online-services/data-protection-foi-police-certificates/police-certificates.html)

If you live in Ireland and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Glossary:European_Free_Trade_Association_(EFTA)) country before 1 January 2021, read guidance for frontier workers (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/frontier-workers-in-eu-and-efta-countries).

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Ireland, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/returning-to-ireland/starting-work/recognition-of-professional-qualifications-in-ireland/#l59fac).

Driving in Ireland

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

drive abroad legally

take your UK vehicle abroad

get driving licence letters

The Irish National Driver Licence Service (https://www.ndls.ie/) provides information on driving in Ireland, including how to apply for an Irish driving licence.

For more information, read guidance on:

driving in the EU (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu)

road travel in Ireland, in safety and security in the travel advice for Ireland (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland/safety-and-security)

Driving in Ireland using a foreign driving licence

If you’re resident in Ireland, you cannot drive with a foreign licence.

As a visitor, and before becoming a resident, you can drive in Ireland for up to 12 months using a driving licence issued in:

the UK

Gibraltar

Jersey

Guernsey

the Isle of Man

You cannot replace or renew any of these licences if you live in Ireland.

Exchanging your driving licence

If you’re resident in Ireland, you must exchange your foreign driving licence (https://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/exchange-my-foreign-driving-licence.html#to-apply-to-exchange-a-foreign-driving-licence-issued-by-a-recognised-state). You must do this to drive legally in Ireland – an international driving permit is not a substitute for exchanging your licence.

You’ll need to:

get a check code from the DVLA (https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence) – for English, Welsh and Scottish driving licences

get a check code from the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/view-or-share-your-ni-driving-licence-information) – for Northern Irish driving licences

The Irish National Driver’s Licence Service has frequently asked questions about exchanging driving licences (https://www.ndls.ie/help/faq.html#exchange-of-foreign-driving-licences).

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for an EU parking card for people with disabilities (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/transport-disability/parking-card-disabilities-people/index_en.htm).

If you have a UK Blue Badge (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme) and live in Ireland, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Ireland (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ireland-tax-treaties) so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the Irish Revenue department (https://www.revenue.ie/en/Home.aspx) for any questions about double taxation relief. Read guidance on tax in Ireland from Citizens Information (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/tax/).

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Ireland. To do this, find a lawyer in Ireland (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=ireland).

National Insurance

Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-insurance-for-workers-from-the-uk-working-in-the-eea-or-switzerland).

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:

how to claim your UK State Pension

where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Your UK state pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/state-pension-if-youve-lived-in-australia-canada-or-new-zealand) and now live in the EU.

Claiming an Irish pension

Contact the Irish Department of Social Protection (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/) to find out whether you can claim an Irish State Pension (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/collections/social-welfare-schemes-and-services/#pensions).

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers claiming UK benefits abroad.

You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/benefits-and-pensions-for-uk-nationals-in-the-eea-or-switzerland).

Claiming Irish benefits

You may be entitled to some Irish benefits if you’re considered ‘habitually resident’ in Ireland.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim, read about:

determining habitual residence (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/publications/operational-guidelines-for-deciding-officers-and-designated-persons-on-the-determination-of-habitual-residence/#sect6)

social welfare payments (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social-welfare/)

Buying and renting property in Ireland

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers buying and renting property abroad.

Read Citizens Information guidance on buying or renting property in Ireland (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/).

Contact a lawyer in Ireland (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=ireland) if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in Ireland

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers voting in UK elections and registering as an overseas voter.

Irish elections

You can vote in Irish local or national elections (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government-in-ireland/elections-and-referenda/voting/registering-to-vote/) if you’re old enough.

You cannot vote in European elections unless you hold citizenship of an EU country.

Studying in Ireland

You do not need a visa to study in Ireland.

For more information, read guidance on:

studying in the EU (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/study-in-the-european-union)

travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England) (https://www.gov.uk/travel-grants-students-england)

You can also contact:

your higher education provider in the UK or Ireland

the Irish higher education department (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-research-innovation-and-science/)

the Irish Embassy in London (https://www.ireland.ie/en/greatbritain/london/)

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers moving abroad with children, including:

getting permission to take your child abroad

claiming UK Child Benefit abroad

child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The European Commission provides information about the school system in Ireland (https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/eurypedia/ireland/overview).

All children aged 6 to 16 must attend school or home school in Ireland.

For more information, read the Irish government’s guidance on:

the Irish school system (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/the-irish-education-system/overview-of-the-irish-education-system/)

finding a school (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/find-a-school/)

teaching your child at home (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/the-irish-education-system/home-education/)

Childcare

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/) is responsible for childcare services in Ireland.

Read guidance on childcare supports including the National Childcare Scheme (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/childcare-supports/).

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Ireland, register the birth with the Irish authorities (https://www2.hse.ie/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/register/birth/).

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate

apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:

what to do after someone dies abroad

how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Ireland, read guidance on:

what to do after a British person dies in Ireland (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ireland-bereavement-death-abroad)

funeral directors in Ireland (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/funeral-directors?country=ireland)

registering a death in Ireland (https://www2.hse.ie/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/register/death/)

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

The Irish government provides information on getting married in Ireland (https://www2.hse.ie/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/getting-married/).

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

Citizens Information offers guidance on how to get a divorce in Ireland (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/birth-family-relationships/separation-and-divorce/divorce-decrees/).

Consider taking legal advice from a lawyer in Ireland (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=ireland).

Documents for British people in Ireland

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad) This covers:

legalising and certifying UK documents

marriage and civil partnership documents

affirmations and affidavits

witnessing signatures

Lawyers and notaries

To find a lawyer or notary in Ireland, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad).

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Ireland, read guidance on:

bringing pets to Ireland (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving-country/moving-to-ireland/coming-to-live-in-ireland/bringing-pets-to-ireland/)

pet travel from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/pet-travel/#bringing-your-pet-dog-cat-or-ferret-into-ireland-general-information)

taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to an EU country (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad)

travelling with pets to Northern Ireland (https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets)

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk). This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

Read Citizens Information guidance on leaving Ireland (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving-country/moving-abroad/leaving-ireland/).

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Irish authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-commonwealth-development-office-fcdo-consular-information-disclaimer).