Moving to Ireland from US: A Guide for Expats
Moving to Ireland from the US is attractive for people with the right priorities.
The island is a budding tech hub, safe, and offers a combination of walkable cities and stunning countrysides that’s hard to find elsewhere. Winters are mild, with temperatures rarely falling below freezing, and the country’s friendly attitude makes it easy to make new connections.
In this article, we’ll discuss living in Ireland as an American, visas, finding work, and vital cost of living information.
Why Move to Ireland?
Irish people are friendly. A friend studying abroad in Dublin often shares that he loves chatting with people on public transit, in pubs, or on walks in local parks. Life moves slower there, and a feeling of community or sense of place comes naturally. Not only that but if you’re a fan of nature and landscapes, Ireland is incredibly green. You’ll love it there.
Like any country, though, Ireland also has its challenges. Affordable housing is an obstacle, even if you live outside the city. It’s rarely sunny, no matter the time of year. And while healthcare is more affordable than in the US, public services often involve long wait times, pushing many expats to opt for private health insurance.
Nevertheless, Irish life offers numerous quality-of-life benefits. Violent crime is low, offering safety and security for couples raising families. Employers grant more vacation days than their US counterparts, and major cities are much more pedestrian-friendly than most of America.
Whether or not you like Ireland depends on what you do and don’t value, but over 50,000 expats have already made the choice to live there.
Living in Ireland as an American
Pubs are central to Irish social life. Don’t hesitate to start a conversation with a local; they’re usually friendly and happy to chat. Banter, or “craic” in Irish slang, may surprise you, though. It’s part of a social dance where you insult them, and they insult you. Don’t worry, though; 9 out of 10 Irish people mean well by this.
You won’t need to learn the language but expect to see public signage in both English and Gaelic. Learning some simple phrases, such as Sláinte for “cheers,” could be fun, though! Tipping culture is completely different; drinks at bars aren’t often tipped for, and 10% of a bill at a restaurant is the norm.
Life moves at a more relaxed pace than in the US as well. Be patient with service in restaurants or shops.
Cash is more common in Ireland than in the US. Before you get settled, it’s worth opening a Schwab checking account in the US. They have debit cards that refund worldwide ATM fees.
Building Community
When you live in the US and meet someone from another state, it’s nothing special. They’re just another person. But when you live abroad and meet other expats in Ireland, there’s instant kinship. Many discover the community by connecting with other expats.
Connecting with locals might be a bit harder, though. Much of Europe has a, let’s say, mixed view of the United States. For instance, during the pandemic, there was frustration with American tourists taking vacations against the advice of scientists. But that mixed view tends to be reserved for the country, rather than Americans themselves. Once people get to know you, that dissolves.
There are plenty of places to look. Work or school are the obvious places to begin, but pubs are a cultural staple as well. If those aren’t options, meeting people through mutual interests is the next best bet: Meetup.com, Bumble Friends, a sports club, or even a subreddit can be a place to start.
When trying to connect with Irish people, some expats have complained that most they meet have known their friends all their lives, are “cliqued up,” and are not really interested in adding to their friend groups. However, community is about more than just meeting people and hoping to be invited into someone else’s circle. A community is created as much as it’s joined.
When you make a new friend, be first to text or invite them to something. I use a rule of two when making friends abroad: if they decline two social invitations, they’re not interested. By the same coin, if a new friend invites you to something, it’s important to say yes!
Education for Expat Families
Irish schools are well regarded internationally and focus on a foundational curriculum that will be familiar to American expats. They’re divided into public and private, with public schools being free.
There are a few things which may be unusual to Americans:
- Most schools, even public ones, are religiously affiliated.
- School days are shorter, often ending two or three hours earlier than their American counterparts.
- School uniforms are common, even in public schools.
Practical Steps for Moving to Ireland
Moving to Ireland can be a complicated process, but it is absolutely achievable with the right planning and approach.
While some employers may hesitate to sponsor work permits, opportunities exist, particularly in high-demand fields. Student visas are a valuable alternative for those without immediate employment. Finally, Ireland offers “Stamp 0” for those interested in retiring in the Emerald Isle.
Be warned that registering requires organization and patience, but navigating the system can go smoothly with proper preparation. See the Irish immigration website for official information.
Visiting Before You Move Is Easy
Americans can visit Ireland for up to 90 days without a visa. Simply book a flight, show a valid passport at the airport, and you can scope out the local landscape to your heart’s content.
Most Common Long Stay (Visa D) Options
This is where things get complicated. Each of the following has slightly different criteria, but in general, you’ll need to do quite a bit of legwork before you move to Ireland permanently.
Work Visa
Ireland has various employment visas: critical skills, general employment, internship, company transfers, scientific research, visiting academics, religious ministers, and volunteers.
Once you have a job, the general work visa application requirements are:
- Passport
- Biometric passport photos
- Proof of medical insurance
- Letter explaining why you want to move to Ireland
- Employment contract
- Letter from your employer
- Bank and income statements proving you can afford to live in Ireland
Study Visa
Students are also offered opportunities for long-term visas. After being accepted to a university in Ireland, you can apply for a long-term stay with the following documents:
- Passport
- Biometric passport photos
- Private medical insurance
- Letter explaining why you want to study in Ireland
- Acceptance letter from your university
- Proof you’ve paid tuition fees
- Evidence of academic ability
- Evidence of English or Irish language ability
- Proof you can access at least €10,000
- Proof of living accommodations
Join Family Visa
There’s no official line for “family member”, but the closer one is to the nuclear family, the better. Join Family visas are also common for spouses or even those in long-term unmarried relationships with Irish citizens.
To apply, you’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship to an Irish citizen, such as birth or marriage certificates. The family member living in Ireland will act as your sponsor and needs to demonstrate they can financially support you.
Retiring in Ireland: Stamp 0
The primary requirement for retiring in Ireland is demonstrating you can afford to do so without leaning on Irish public services. Presently, an individual must earn at least €50,000 per year, have private insurance, and have a lump sum of savings equivalent to the price of a home in Ireland.
Register With Your Local Immigration Office
Regardless of which visa you pursue, all people who intend to stay longer than 90 days register with the local immigration office. This is how Ireland municipalities record that you’ve been permitted to stay.
You can apply for an appointment by creating an account on the Irish Immigration website. Once you have a date set, they’ll email you with a list of necessary documents. Afterward, you’ll receive an Irish Residence Permit in the mail.
Even though you moved, you still have to file and potentially pay taxes in the US. Luckily the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and/or Foreign Tax Credit could reduce, or eliminate, your US tax liability together. Reach out, a Greenback expert would be delighted to help.
Finding Work in Ireland
The Irish government is serious about preserving opportunities for locals, so you’re unlikely to find sponsorship for entry-level positions.
Your best bet is to look for a job on the critical skills list which is related to your education and pays at least €38,000 a year or any job that isn’t on the ineligible list and pays at least €64,000 per year. Either of these would qualify you for the critical skills visa.
Examples of in demand critical skills are:
- Actuaries, accountants, tax consultants, and statisticians
- IT directors, analysts, web designers, or programmers
- Engineers of all kinds
- Doctors, nurses, radiographers, and other healthcare professionals.
If you can’t do the above, you could qualify for a general employment permit if a job pays at least €34,000 per year, but the catch is that your employer would need to do a “labor market needs test.” This involves advertising the job across Ireland and the EU for at least a month to confirm that no suitable Irish or EU candidates are available. It adds time but also reduces the likelihood that you’ll receive a general employment permit in the first place.
Banking in Ireland
Opening a bank account is relatively straightforward, even if you’re new to the country. For instance, the Bank of Ireland simply asks for a valid photo ID and proof of address.
However, if you hold over $10,000 in financial assets abroad, you’ll have reporting requirements with the United States. The Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) is most common, but you may have to file Form 8938 as well. Read our FBAR vs. Form 8938 article to learn the difference in requirements.
Many friends in Ireland use Revolut to transfer money between one another. It’s an app similar to Paypal or Venmo. Consider setting up an account before you move.
Cost of Living in Ireland: A Real-Life Expat Perspective
There are plenty of cost-of-living comparison tools, price lists, and resources. But the US is a massive country, and, depending on where you’re from, Ireland could save or cost you money.
So instead, let’s take a look at a real perspective: an expat Reddit user shared details of their move with the Move To Ireland subreddit. They’re part of a family of three, have a dog, and live in a suburb north of Dublin. Their spending style is budget-conscious but not penny-pinching. They don’t buy organic food or lots of new clothes, but they don’t deliberate too long at the grocery store and go out a few times a month.
| Item | Monthly Cost |
| Three bedroom house 25 minutes from city center. | €1895 They consider this an excellent deal and see similar in their neighborhood rent for €3000 |
| Heating | €250 peak of winter €15 middle of summer |
| Electricity | €100 |
| Garbage | €20 |
| Internet | €65 |
| Cell phone | €35 (one line, unlimited everything) |
| Health insurance | €47 per adult |
| Childcare | €400 |
| Car insurance | €80 |
| Life insurance for two | €80 |
| Family Groceries | €650 |
| Total | ~ €3,600 / month |
In addition to their budget, they also shared some insights into their move:
€60k is not enough. We lucked out finding a cheaper rental (just €1900 per month), and were making just enough to cover the basics and a few lower-cost fun things (family meals out, pub nights with friends). We couldn’t save any money, and if we had any large expense, we had to dip into our savings… housing will be the biggest factor on if the budget is enough. Some 2-3 bedroom houses go for as much as €4k/month, others are less than half that.
No two places will be identical, but their story is a great data point to keep in mind.
Major Cost Differences Compared to the US
Rent and housing will make or break your budget, but differences will be relative to your experience. According to Daft.ie, the most popular real estate market in the country, here are some selected average rental costs:
- Cork: €2,077 / month
- Dublin: €2,378
- Galway: €2,189
- National: €1,955
Landlords normally ask for a month’s rent as a deposit. Utility rates vary depending on usage, but in Dublin, an average of 500 user-submitted data points indicated that electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage, and Wi-Fi collectively cost an average of €260 per month.
Beyond rent, probably the biggest difference you’ll notice is in the price of gasoline and groceries. As of November 2024, gasoline is ~€1.74 per liter (~€6.94 per gallon), while groceries are marginally cheaper than in the US.
Taxes
Income tax in Ireland is progressive, ranging from 20-40% based on your income bracket. As with the US system, there are various deductions and credits available. Read our guide to Irish taxes for US expats for more information. We’ve also written a guide on double taxation for US expats in Ireland.
Your Journey to Ireland Awaits
Whether you’re exploring career opportunities, retiring, or seeking a new adventure, Ireland’s scenery, friendly locals, and excellent work-life balance make it a rewarding destination.
Remember, US expats still have tax obligations back home. When you make your move, Greenback is here to simplify the process.
