Moving to Ireland from Australia

The Emerald Isle, known for its lush green landscapes, cheerful culture and rich heritage, Ireland has much to offer to new and old residents alike.

With bustling cities and quaint villages aplenty, Ireland's picturesque countryside and welcoming atmosphere make it an enticing prospect for many seeking a new life abroad.

Whether you’re moving for work, wanting to retire or using Ireland as your base for a gap year overseas, this guide covers all the essentials. From visa types to healthcare, finding work, safety and more we’ve got the details you need to know about moving to Ireland from Australia.

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Table of contents

Ireland key facts Life in Ireland Moving to Ireland – pros and cons Ireland entry requirements for Australian citizens Ireland visa types and requirements Employment Visa Retirement Visa Student Visa Ireland residency and permits Is Ireland safe for Australians? Level of English spoken and learning the local language Healthcare in Ireland Cost of living in Ireland Finding a job in Ireland Online Recruitment Agencies Direct Contact Networking Banks and accounts in Ireland What to keep in mind about moving to Ireland Irish embassy addresses and contacts in Australia Embassy of Ireland, Canberra Consulate General of Ireland, Sydney In conclusion The Wise Account and Debit Card

Ireland key facts

Before we dive deep into the details of moving from Australia to Ireland, let’s start with a look at some of the key facts.

Please note that we’re focusing on the Republic of Ireland rather than Northern Ireland for this guide. However, we have included some details for Northern Ireland in the table indicated with (N).

Capital	Dublin
Official languages	English, Irish
Population	7.185 million (combined Republic & Northern)
Currency	Euro (EUR, Republic), Pound (GBP, Northern)
Biggest cities	Dublin, Belfast(N), Cork, Limerick, Galway, Derry (N), Bangor (N), Waterford
Weather	Ireland is considered to have a temperate maritime climate. This means mild to warm summers with an average temp of 14-16 degrees and cooler winters averaging temps of between 4-8 degrees. There is a high chance of precipitation (rain) all year round.
Government type	Parliamentary Republic
Average yearly salary (2022)¹	EUR€52,971

As seen on 15 October 2024

Life in Ireland

With a blend of rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes and modern living, Ireland offers a relaxed lifestyle with a deep appreciation for music, literature, and history. The country's beautiful scenery includes rolling green hills, rugged coastlines, and historic landmarks like castles and ancient ruins.

Cities like Dublin, Cork, and Galway are vibrant, with a mix of traditional pubs, lively arts scenes, and modern amenities. When it comes to employment, Ireland's economy is strong, with low unemployment rates and a variety of good job opportunities available across multiple sectors.²

The weather is often cool and rainy, which while not always ideal, does make for plenty of opportunities to enjoy Ireland's famous pub scene. Cosy and a great place to connect, they’re almost akin to community centres with games, lively music and more to enjoy.

Importantly, alongside its lush countryside, stunning coastlines and welcoming inhabitants, Ireland is a safe country that also offers a great work-life balance, fantastic education and high-level healthcare.²

Moving to Ireland – pros and cons

Below is a brief rundown of the pros and cons of moving to and living in Ireland.

Pros	Cons
English speaking Expansive and beautiful countryside to explore Rich cultural heritage with many festivals and events to enjoy Crime is very low Welcoming community Great base from which to explore wider Europe	Can be expensive to live in metropolitan areas Can be cold and rainy for much of the year The social scene largely revolves around pub culture which may not be for everyone Finding housing can be challenging and expensive

Ireland entry requirements for Australian citizens

Before moving to Ireland to live, it is worth noting that specific criteria must be met. These include³:

• Having a valid travel document – in this case your Australian passport which must also have at least one blank page
• An appropriate visa for the length and purpose of your intended stay
• Having documents to justify the purpose and conditions of your stay, including proof of sufficient financial means
• Proof of an onward journey may also be requested by immigration officials where necessary

Ireland visa types and requirements

Whether you intend to work, settle or study, if you are wanting to stay in Ireland for longer than 3 months, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay ‘D’ visa.⁴

There are multiple visa types within this category to choose from based on your needs, these being⁵:

Employment Visa

Available to apply for once you have secured a work permit, this visa permits skilled workers to live and work in Ireland for an extended period.

You’ll need to apply for this visa at least three months in advance of your arrival and proof of health insurance, relevant qualifications, proof of employment in Ireland and more will be required.⁵

Retirement Visa

If you are hoping to retire in Ireland you must be financially independent and meet several strict conditions. You will be unable to access any state benefits such as a pension or public healthcare that is provided to other residents.⁶

Significant proof of financial means is required, such as showing an income of at least EUR€50,000 per year plus evidence of a large lump sum in savings for emergencies.⁶

Student Visa

This visa is for any students planning to live and study in Ireland for more than 3 months. Alongside proof of enrolment and acceptance at your chosen university, you will also need to provide documentation outlining your accommodation arrangements, health insurance, evidence of academic ability and more.⁷

Ireland residency and permits

Once you are issued with your long-stay ‘D’ visa, no matter which category, you must also register for and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).⁴

If working, you will also be required to get an Employment Permit before you can apply for a work visa. This is available through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.⁵

Is Ireland safe for Australians?

Ireland is a very safe place for Australians to live in. Like most countries, petty crimes such as bag snatching and pickpocketing can be present in major cities, but there is a low risk of violent crime. There is an increase in car theft and break-ins though, so it’s advised to take precautions.

Smartraveller recommends avoiding any political rallies or public protests or gatherings that may become violent and follow the advice of local authorities.³

Level of English spoken and learning the local language

English is an official language in Ireland and therefore widely spoken, making it an easy transition for most Aussies.

However, Irish, the historic, Celtic language of Ireland and its many dialects are also spoken in many regions. Many names for both people and places will be spelt in a traditional Irish fashion and many Irish words are used in English by locals too.

This means that while learning Irish as an expat is not especially necessary, it can be very beneficial to understand the basics. Not only is this respectful, but it can also help you avoid any embarrassing faux pas when pronouncing people's names.

Healthcare in Ireland

Healthcare in Ireland is largely on par with Australia in terms of standard of care facilities available with many local clinics, hospitals and health centres to choose from.

Like Australia, Ireland also offers a universal health system, with both public and private options available. As an expat that intends to live in Ireland for more than a year and obtained a residency permit, you will be entitled to access a range of public health services either free of charge or at a reduced cost.⁸

As not all services are free or accessible and choice can be limited depending on your circumstances and eligibility, private healthcare insurance is still recommended.

Cost of living in Ireland

Ireland is often considered to have a relatively high cost of living compared to some other nations in Europe, however, it's currently lower than in Australia by around 5.9% on average overall. This can differ if living in major cities when it comes to costs such as rent though.

The following table outlines the monthly average living expenses for a couple living in a one-bedroom apartment in some of the most popular cities in the Irish Republic.⁹

All prices are quoted in Euros. 1 EUR = 1.62412 AUD on the 17th Oct 2024. See current rate here

	Dublin	Cork	Limerick	Galway
Rent	€2015	€1541	€1700	€1608
Utilities (electricity, phone, internet)	€341	€284	€225	€277
Groceries	€550	€614	€605	€560
Transport (public, monthly pass)	€115	€91	€40	€60

As seen on 15 October 2024

Finding a job in Ireland

Finding employment in Ireland follows much the same pathway as you would be familiar with in Australia with most jobs posted publicly and applied for online.

Depending on the type of work you are after or your qualifications, you may like to pursue work via several avenues including:

Online

As stated most job listings will be placed online, the most popular websites for job postings in Ireland include:

• Indeed
• Irishjobs
• Snaphunt
• Monster
• RecruitIreland
• Jobs.ie
• IrishJobsCareers

Recruitment Agencies

Speaking with a recruitment agency, particularly one that specialises in your area of expertise can be beneficial. Most recruitment agencies will be actively seeking candidates and often from a global talent pool, making it easier and faster to find the right job.

Direct Contact

Researching employers you’d like to work for and contacting them directly to ask about job opportunities can also be worth a try. Even if they are not advertising on a job platform or their own website, you never know when they might be open to hiring new talent.

Networking

Attending any job recruitment fairs or industry events relevant to your area of expertise can be ideal for sourcing job leads. Providing insights into new or upcoming opportunities, job expos are regularly held in the country's capital cities with dates available online.

Helpfully, these events are also a great way to network and meet new people when in a new city.

Banks and accounts in Ireland

Opening an Irish bank account is recommended for anyone intending to live there long-term. Making it easier to receive a salary and manage everyday expenses, the top retail banks to consider include:

• Bank of Ireland
• Allied Irish Banks (AIB)
• Permanent TSB
• EBS
• Barclays Bank Ireland
• AN Post

Again, following similar practices to what you’d expect in Australia, applying for a bank account typically requires proof of ID, proof of address and other personal information to be provided.

Each of these banks offers different account products types to choose from and may have different rules depending on your residency status or visa type. As such, we recommend shopping around to find the right fit for your needs.

What to keep in mind about moving to Ireland

Relocating to Ireland represents an exciting opportunity for any Australian, however, before you make such a big move, you should consider:

• If you’re someone who craves hot, sunny weather, Ireland may not be the best fit, with up to an estimated 225 wet days occurring each year
• Ireland’s more recent history of conflicts has left deep scars on the country and may be distressing or inflammatory to discuss with locals
• While the Irish also drive on the left and owning or hiring a car can make it easier to explore, fuel costs are around 40-50% higher than in Australia due to several government taxes and levies
• If you’re not really into pub culture or not much of a drinker, it can be a little trickier to break into the local social scene

Irish embassy addresses and contacts in Australia

Should you need to speak with an Irish embassy or consulate in Australia about your proposed move, you can contact them at their main offices as follows:

Embassy of Ireland, Canberra

20 Arkana St, Yarralumla ACT 2600
(02) 6214 0000

Consulate General of Ireland, Sydney

Level 26/1 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 9273 8500

In conclusion

Moving to Ireland from Australia offers an enriching experience with its welcoming culture, vibrant cities and breathtaking landscapes.

While the climate and pace of life may differ a little from Australia, for those seeking a change and adventure, Ireland has plenty to recommend it. Whether for work, study or to retire, you never know, Ireland may just be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow you’ve been hoping to find.

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Sources:

1. Statista - Average Salary Irish Republic
2. OECD - Better Life Index Ireland
3. Smartraveler - Irish Border Measures
4. Citizens Information - Visas & Permits
5. Irish Immigration - Work Visa
6. Irish Immigration - Retirement Visa
7. Irish Immigration - Student Visas
8. Citizens Information - Entitlement To Healthcare
9. Numbeo - Cost Of Living In Ireland
10. Numbeo - Grocery Prices By City

Sources checked on: 08 October 2023