How to Retire to Ireland: Visas, Costs and What to Know
Can You Retire to Ireland?
Yes, you can retire to Ireland if you meet residency requirements. Non-EU citizens must apply for Stamp 0 permission, proving financial independence, private health insurance, and sufficient savings to support themselves without working.
EU, UK, and Irish citizens can retire in Ireland with fewer restrictions, though they must still demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for long-term stays.Retiring to Ireland represents an increasingly popular choice for international retirees seeking a high quality of life combined with rich cultural heritage. As of 2026, Ireland offers a sophisticated retirement infrastructure with comprehensive healthcare options, various residency pathways, and strong community support systems.
My husband and I retired to Ireland in 2018, luckily we were both born in Ireland so we obtained our Irish passports very easily. We chose Donegal to live in mainly because we had friends there and it was close to Northern Ireland and my family who live in County Antrim and Derry. Retiring to Ireland starts as an idea something quiet, almost romantic. For me, it was just that at first. A thought that surfaced on grey mornings elsewhere, imagining what life might look like if everything slowed down. If instead of noise, there was wind off the Atlantic. Instead of urgency, there was space. That idea eventually became reality, and we moved to Donegal.
This guide provides comprehensive information for those considering Ireland as their retirement destination, incorporating current statistics, practical advice, and essential requirements for a successful transition to Irish life.
- How to Retire to Ireland: Visas, Costs and What to Know
- Can You Retire to Ireland?
- Visa and Residency Requirements
- Tax Implications for American Retirees (2026)
- Healthcare System and Costs
- Housing and Regional Options
- Cork Region
- Rental Market
- New rental laws as of 2026
- Professional Relocation Services
- Most Affordable Areas in Ireland (2026)
- Transportation and Mobility
- Driving License Requirements
- Social Integration and Community Life
- Practical Considerations and Setup
- Frequently Asked Questions About Retiring to Ireland
- Important Information About Retiring to Ireland
- Additional Resources and Support
- Exploring the fascinating regions of Ireland
Visa and Residency Requirements
Securing the right to retire in Ireland involves different processes depending on citizenship status. European Union citizens enjoy relatively straightforward access, while non-EU nationals face more structured requirements.
For EU Citizens
European Union citizens benefit from freedom of movement rights, allowing them to retire in Ireland with minimal bureaucratic hurdles. The process requires registration with local authorities for stays exceeding three months, along with proof of financial self-sufficiency and comprehensive health insurance. This straightforward pathway reflects the strong ties between Ireland and its European partners.
For Non-EU Citizens
Non-European Union citizens, including Americans and Canadians, must navigate a more detailed process. The Irish immigration system requires substantial proof of financial resources, specifically an annual income of at least €50,000 per person and recommended liquid assets of €250,000. This financial threshold ensures retirees can maintain themselves without requiring state support.
The application process begins with obtaining a Long-stay ‘D’ visa, which typically takes 6-8 weeks to process. Successful applicants must then register with immigration authorities upon arrival, obtain a Personal Public Service (PPS) number, and establish local banking relationships. Annual renewals ensure continued compliance with visa conditions.
Obtaining a PPS Number
The Personal Public Service (PPS) number serves as Ireland’s social security and tax reference number, and it’s essential for retirees establishing their life in Ireland. The application process for a PPS number requires a scheduled appointment at your local INTREO office, which can be booked online through MyWelfare.ie.
As of 2026, retirees must provide several key documents during their appointment: a valid passport with appropriate visa or residency permission, proof of address in Ireland (such as a utility bill or lease agreement), and documentation showing their reason for needing a PPS number (such as pension arrangements or property purchase documents).
For retired couples, each person must apply individually for their own PPS number, even if moving together. The process typically takes 5-10 working days from the appointment date, though processing times may vary during peak periods. Once issued, the PPS number becomes your primary identifier for interactions with government services, healthcare providers, and financial institutions. It’s particularly crucial for accessing pension benefits, setting up utilities, and managing tax affairs.
The INTREO office also provides guidance on registering with Revenue (Irish Tax Authority) and accessing other essential services. Retirees should prioritize obtaining their PPS number soon after arrival, as many aspects of settling in Ireland, from opening a bank account to arranging healthcare, depend on having this identification number.
Financial Considerations and Banking
The Irish banking system provides comprehensive services for retirees, though setup procedures differ notably from North American systems. Major financial institutions including Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks (AIB), Permanent TSB, and Ulster Bank offer specialized services for retirees. Each bank provides unique advantages, and many offer dedicated relationship managers for retirement accounts.
Establishing a banking presence in Ireland requires careful preparation. New residents must provide extensive documentation, including a valid passport, visa or residency permission, proof of Irish address, and a PPS number. Many banks also request reference letters from existing banking relationships. Monthly fees typically range from €5-15, though many institutions offer reduced-fee accounts for retirees.
International money management remains a crucial consideration for retired expatriates. Various options exist for handling cross-border finances, from traditional bank transfers to specialized services like Wise or XE, which often provide more favorable exchange rates. Currency brokers can assist with larger transfers, while multi-currency accounts help manage international income streams efficiently.
We have used Wise now for many years and are very happy with how it works. We usually use the debit transaction to send a selected amount to our Irish account every month and it works seamlessly and the charges are minimal.
Tax Implications for American Retirees (2026)
American citizens retiring to Ireland face unique tax considerations due to their obligation to file taxes in both countries. The U.S.-Ireland tax treaty provides important protections against double taxation, but careful planning remains essential for financial success.
Dual Tax Obligations
As U.S. citizens, American retirees must continue filing annual U.S. tax returns regardless of their residence in Ireland. Simultaneously, they become subject to Irish taxation once established as tax residents, which typically occurs after spending 183 days or more in Ireland during a tax year. Irish income tax rates range from 20% to 40%, making tax planning crucial for retirement income management.
Retirement Account Considerations
The U.S.-Ireland tax treaty offers specific provisions for retirement accounts. American retirees can participate in Irish Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) without incurring additional U.S. tax implications. However, converting a PRSA to an Irish Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) may trigger U.S. tax obligations, as ARFs fall outside treaty protections. This complexity makes professional tax advice essential when structuring retirement accounts.
Investment and Capital Gains
Investment income becomes fully taxable in Ireland upon establishing residency. Capital gains tax in Ireland currently stands at 33%, applying to profits from asset sales including real estate and stocks. The timing of asset sales and investment decisions can significantly impact tax liability, requiring careful coordination between U.S. and Irish tax obligations.
Estate Planning and Inheritance
Irish inheritance tax, also set at 33%, may affect estate planning strategies. The interaction between U.S. estate tax rules and Irish inheritance tax requirements necessitates comprehensive estate planning that accounts for both jurisdictions.
Practical Considerations
To optimize their tax position, American retirees should:
- Maintain detailed records of all income sources
- Consult with tax professionals familiar with both U.S. and Irish tax systems
- Time significant financial transactions carefully
- Review pension and investment structures before moving
- Consider the tax implications of property purchases or sales
- Keep abreast of any changes to the U.S.-Ireland tax treaty
Professional tax guidance becomes particularly valuable during the transition to Irish residency and for annual compliance with both countries’ tax requirements. Many retirees find that working with tax advisors in both jurisdictions helps ensure comprehensive tax planning and compliance.
Healthcare System and Costs
Ireland’s healthcare system combines public and private services, offering retirees flexible options for medical care. The Health Service Executive (HSE) manages public healthcare, while numerous private providers offer supplementary coverage.
Primary Care Services
General practitioner services form the foundation of Irish healthcare. As of 2025, private GP consultations typically cost between €60-80, with out-of-hours services ranging from €100-150. House calls, while less common, cost €150-200. Virtual consultations have become increasingly popular, offering a more affordable option at €30-50 per consultation.
Prescription Medications
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) caps monthly prescription costs at €80 per family, regardless of the quantity of medications required. Common prescriptions for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol typically cost €15-40 monthly without the cap. Many pharmacies offer senior discounts, and the Medical Card system provides additional support for those who qualify based on means testing.
Insurance Options
Private health insurance remains popular among retirees, with annual premiums varying based on coverage level. Basic plans start at €800-1,200 annually, while comprehensive coverage can range from €1,500-4,000+. Age and pre-existing conditions affect premium rates, making early enrollment crucial for optimal coverage.
Housing and Regional Options
The Irish housing market presents distinct regional variations, with options suitable for different retirement lifestyles and budgets. Understanding these regional differences helps retirees make informed decisions about where to settle.
Dublin Region
The capital city and its suburbs offer sophisticated urban living with excellent amenities. Premium coastal suburbs like Malahide, Howth, and Dun Laoghaire particularly appeal to retirees, offering a blend of seaside living and urban convenience. Property prices in these areas range from €450,000 to over €1,000,000, while monthly rentals span €2,800-4,500 depending on location and property type.
Cork Region
Cork provides an attractive alternative to Dublin, with lower costs and a rich cultural scene. The historic port town of Cobh offers properties from €250,000-450,000, while the gourmet haven of Kinsale commands €350,000-600,000. These areas provide excellent value for retirees seeking a balance between amenities and affordability.
Galway Area
The west coast city of Galway and its surroundings combine cultural vibrancy with stunning natural beauty. Popular retirement locations include Salthill, with properties ranging from €350,000-600,000, and Oranmore, offering more moderate prices between €280,000-450,000.
Rental Market
The Irish rental market operates under specific regulations governed by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Unlike North America, where unfurnished rentals are standard, Irish properties typically come furnished or partially furnished. Current rental prices (2026) reflect regional variations, with Dublin commanding premium rates compared to other areas.
Securing a rental property requires extensive documentation, including valid identification, visa documentation, proof of income or pension payments, references from previous landlords, and typically one to two months’ rent as a security deposit. Most landlords also require first month’s rent in advance. An Irish bank account is often mandatory for rent payments, and a Personal Public Service (PPS) number helps facilitate the process.
New rental laws as of 2026
The new rental laws in Ireland introduced in 2026 are designed to give tenants greater security and more predictable rent increases, although there are still some important realities to be aware of. Rent increases are now capped nationwide at either inflation or 2% per year, whichever is lower, and can only happen once annually.
This replaces the old Rent Pressure Zone system and means tenants across the country now have the same level of protection. In addition, new tenancies are generally structured as six-year minimum duration agreements, which significantly strengthens tenant security and makes it much harder for landlords to end a tenancy without a valid legal reason. Evictions are now more tightly controlled, and landlords must follow strict rules, meaning tenants cannot be asked to leave simply so the property can be re-let at a higher price.
However, while these changes offer more stability during a tenancy, tenants should understand that rents can still increase sharply between tenancies if a property returns to the open market. This means that staying in a property long-term can provide financial and housing stability under the new rules.
Landlords must also justify any rent increases using comparable local rents and official data, and tenants have the right to challenge unfair increases through the Residential Tenancies Board. Overall, the new system offers stronger protections and more transparency, but in a competitive rental market, it remains important for tenants to understand their rights and stay informed.
Professional Relocation Services
Professional relocation services can significantly ease the rental search process. Full-service relocation companies like Ireland Relocations, Relocation Services, Settle In Ireland, and Crown Relocations offer comprehensive support, including property searches, lease negotiations, and utility setup. These services typically cost between €2,000-5,000 for full packages, while property-finding-only services range from €500-1,500.
Regional Rental Costs (2025):
Dublin City Center: €2,200-3,500 monthly for a two-bedroom apartment
Dublin Suburbs: €1,800-2,500 monthly
Cork City: €1,500-2,200 monthly
Galway: €1,400-2,000 monthly
Regional Towns: €900-1,500 monthly
Long-term rental strategies often include considering areas just outside popular locations for better rates, seeking longer-term leases for price stability, and building relationships with local estate agents. Many retirees find success by initially renting in their preferred area before committing to a purchase, allowing them to thoroughly understand the local market and lifestyle.
The Irish rental market in 2026 presents unique challenges and opportunities for retirees. With a national average asking rent of €1,956 and a low residential vacancy rate of 3.9%, competition for quality rentals remains intense. The market operates under strict regulations governed by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), offering strong protections for tenants while maintaining market stability.
The rental market shows significant regional variations in both availability and cost. Dublin continues to command the highest rents, exceeding €2,400 in most areas of the capital. Other major cities follow this trend, with Limerick City showing the highest rents outside Dublin at €2,271.
Unlike North America, where unfurnished rentals are standard, Irish properties typically come furnished or partially furnished. This can be particularly advantageous for retirees looking to minimize initial setup costs. However, the high demand and limited supply mean that properties often rent quickly, sometimes within days of listing.
Most Affordable Areas in Ireland (2026)
For retirees seeking more affordable options, several Irish counties offer significantly lower property and rental prices while maintaining a high quality of life. Longford stands out as Ireland’s most economical county for property purchase, with average house prices ranging from €150,000 to €180,000. The county offers a quiet, community-driven lifestyle while maintaining reasonable access to Dublin, making it particularly attractive for retirees seeking peaceful surroundings without complete isolation.
Roscommon and Leitrim also present excellent value for money. Roscommon, with average house prices between €160,000 and €190,000, offers scenic countryside living and access to the Shannon waterways. The county provides good connections to larger towns like Galway and Athlone for additional amenities. Leitrim combines affordably priced properties with stunning natural landscapes, attracting those who prioritize natural beauty and tranquility over urban convenience.
These areas offer particular appeal to retirees who prefer a slower pace of life and stronger community connections. While they may lack the immediate conveniences of larger cities, they compensate with lower living costs, stronger social bonds, and often more spacious properties for the investment.
The rental market in these regions also tends to be more affordable, though availability may be more limited than in urban areas. For retirees considering these locations, it’s worth noting that while property prices are lower, access to specialized healthcare and certain amenities may require more planning and occasional travel to larger towns.
Transportation and Mobility
Transportation infrastructure in Ireland caters well to retiree needs, with options ranging from comprehensive public transport to private vehicle ownership. The Free Travel Pass, available to residents over 66, provides unlimited access to public transport nationwide.
Public transport networks vary by region, with Dublin offering extensive bus, DART (rail), and Luas (tram) services. Regional cities maintain reliable bus networks, while rural areas benefit from Local Link services designed specifically for community needs.
Essential Apps and Resources
• Transport: Irish Rail, Bus Eirean, Dublin Bus, Local Link
• Weather: Met Éireann app
• Navigation: Google Maps (download offline areas)
• Heritage: Heritage Ireland app
For those preferring to drive, Ireland requires adjustment to left-side driving and using roundabouts. Vehicle-related costs include insurance (€600-1,200 annually), fuel (approximately €1.80-2.00 per liter), and annual car tax based on emissions (€200-2,000).
Driving License Requirements
Converting a North American driving license to an Irish one requires careful attention to specific regulations. As of 2025, Ireland does maintain some reciprocal agreements with U.S. states or Canadian provinces for direct license exchanges. This means that many North American retirees must undergo the Irish licensing process, which includes passing a driver theory test and obtaining a learner permit before taking the Irish driving test.
The process becomes more complex for specialized licenses. Motorcycle license holders must specifically apply for an Irish motorcycle learner permit and complete both theoretical and practical motorcycle tests, regardless of their experience level in North America. Similarly, Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) license holders must meet Ireland’s specific requirements, including obtaining a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and completing any additional qualifications required by Irish regulations.
The application fee for converting a foreign driving permit to an Irish license stands at €65, though this fee is waived for applicants aged 70 and over. Additional requirements include passing an eyesight test and providing comprehensive proof of residency. New residents can typically drive on their North American license for up to one year while establishing residency, but must begin the conversion process within this timeframe. The entire process, including testing and documentation, typically takes several months, so early planning is essential for retirees who wish to drive in Ireland.
Social Integration and Community Life
Successfully integrating into Irish society involves engaging with local communities and understanding cultural nuances. Active Retirement Associations throughout the country provide social connections and organized activities, with annual memberships typically ranging from €30-200.
Irish communities welcome newcomers, particularly those who show interest in local culture and traditions. While English is universal, appreciation for Irish (Gaelic) phrases and cultural traditions enhances social integration. Community centers, sports clubs, festivals and cultural organizations offer various activities suitable for retirees, from golf and walking groups to book clubs and art classes.
Practical Considerations and Setup
Establishing life in Ireland requires attention to numerous practical details. Initial setup involves securing appropriate documentation, establishing banking relationships, registering for healthcare, and arranging housing. The PPS number, Ireland’s equivalent of a social security number, proves essential for many services.
Ongoing requirements include annual visa renewals for non-EU residents, maintaining tax compliance, ensuring continuous healthcare coverage, and vehicle testing if applicable. Many retirees find success by approaching these requirements systematically, often with assistance from professional advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retiring to Ireland
Can Americans retire to Ireland?
Yes, Americans can retire to Ireland by applying for Stamp 0 permission, which requires proof of financial independence, private health insurance, and sufficient savings.
How much money do you need to retire to Ireland?
You typically need at least €50,000 per year in income per person, plus access to a lump sum of savings (often €250,000 or more) to qualify for residency.
What is Stamp 0 in Ireland?
Stamp 0 is a residency permission that allows non-EU citizens to live in Ireland without working, provided they are financially self-sufficient and have private health insurance.
Is healthcare free in Ireland for retirees?
Healthcare in Ireland is not fully free. While public services are available, most retirees rely on private health insurance for faster access and better coverage.
Can I buy property in Ireland as a foreigner?
Yes, there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Ireland. However, property ownership does not grant residency rights.
Can you live in Ireland permanently as a retiree?
You can live in Ireland long-term by renewing your Stamp 0 permission annually, as long as you continue to meet financial and insurance requirements.
Important Information About Retiring to Ireland
Immigration rules and financial requirements can change, so it’s always recommended to check official Irish government sources or speak with an immigration professional before making final decisions.
This guide is based on real-life experience living in Donegal combined with current residency guidelines for retirees in Ireland.
Additional Resources and Support
For detailed information and assistance, numerous official sources provide valuable guidance:
- Department of Foreign Affairs (www.dfa.ie)
- Citizens Information (www.citizensinformation.ie)
- Irish Health Service (www.hse.ie)
- Revenue Commissioners (www.revenue.ie)
- Residential Tenancies Board (www.rtb.ie)
Retiring to Ireland offers a unique opportunity to embrace a country known for its warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and modern amenities. While the process requires careful planning and substantial documentation, the rewards include access to high-quality healthcare, strong community networks, and a high standard of living. Success in Irish retirement depends on thorough preparation, understanding of requirements, and willingness to engage with local communities.
If you’re planning a full relocation, don’t forget to read our guide on moving a pet to Europe, which covers everything from paperwork to flights.
Click here to subscribe
Start Planning Your Trip
👉 Public Transportation in Ireland
👉 Hidden Gems in Ireland – 32 Secret places to visit
👉 Answering all your travel questions about Ireland
👉What to pack for your Ireland trip
👉 Northern Ireland Public Transportation
I moved to Ireland on a working visa when I was 22. Best time ever! I loved the country and have been back multiple times to visit my friends. I think its a great place to move abroad, especially for solo travellers or someone who hasn’t done it before.
I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland. it sounds like a very peaceful country.
I’ve heard so many great things about Ireland. It is definitely a place I love to visit one day. Thanks for sharing this detailed information. Helpful info!
I love things Irish! I hope to at least visit one day.
Hi Kathryn,
I have am current U.S, citizen but also have an Irish passport; my father was born in Clare.
I am interested in retiring to Ireland with my partner, who does not have an Irish passport. Do you have any advice for us, or can you direct me to further information? Thank you.
Yes you can get a spouse visa for your partner check here for more information http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/visa-long-family-other
I’ve traveled to Ireland twice. My plan is to retire in Ireland. I am 19% Irish but I feel as if it’s my true place to be. You know? I feel it in my heart!
Yep I do know and we are seriously considering for our retirement – in fact I think we are decided we just have to decide when to retire…lol
My husband and I are US Citizens who meet the income qualifications to retire in Norway in May or June of 2022. We are over seventy years old. We plan to do long-term rental and not purchase in a rural, less expensive area. We are interested in discerning the best location that would provide hiking, waterscape, plus not having too far to the markets. We write and need good wi-fi
I would strongly suggest joining some Norwegian expat groups on Facebook that way you will be able to have your questions answered by people who live there now. Here are a couple that are pretty good https://www.facebook.com/groups/norwayexpats/ https://www.facebook.com/lifeinnorway
I have talked about living in Ireland for years. I was always told that my heritage is Dutch-Irish while growing up and got serious and started working on my family tree. I have the marriage certificate from my great-grandparents that say they are from Ireland. I did the ancestry DNA test and it says I’m 34% Scandinavian and 25% Ireland, 17% Europe West, 13% Iberian Peninsula with smaller amounts from Great Britain, etc. I have always said 6 months to a year would be the best time frame to get to know the people and culture. I wish my lineage directly from Ireland wasn’t so far back as my great-grandparents so I could have a chance at becoming an Irish citizen. Oh well, I hope to visit there someday at least.
What about the Dutch side Misti? Or perhaps another EU country where some grandparents came from – if you can find a country you can apply for an EU passport from that country and still live and work in Ireland.
Here is an update on the Stamp 0 process of retiring to Ireland. Just a draft proposal at this point but I think it is soon to be finalized in more or less the same form.
https://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Public_Consultation_Sept_2016_-_Non-EEA_Retirees.pdf/Files/Public_Consultation_Sept_2016_-_Non-EEA_Retirees.pdf
Hi!
I don´t remember if they are really good, because I was a child when I watched them, but what about Darby O´Gill and the Little People and The Fighting Prince of Donegal (not filmed in Ireland, it´s true).
Thanks a lot.
A Tenerife young lady in love with Ireland.
They are good films but unfortunately they were not filmed in Ireland. Darby O’Gill was filmed entirely in California and the Prince was filmed in the UK. The list was specifically for films made in Ireland so that folks would find places in the movies that they could visit or had visited.
Not clear what the actual requirements/process is for someone that is retiring to Ireland with adequate financial resources to cover every eventuality and seeks to buy a home and stay forever.
Not working.
Not a student.
No Irish ancestry.
Need a layout of the complete process, START TO FINISH, moving from the US to Ireland,permanently.
Just independently wealthy and wanting to buy a house, live and die in Ireland.
I’m 26% Irish. I’m a Thompson from Tennessee . My goal is to at least visit someday. I love all things Irish. I don’t think I have a chance at retiring there. Although my husband and I together should have about $60,000 in retirement.
My great grand Parents came from Donegal and Mayo. We are retired, my husband is not Irish. Could wemove there? Realise we could not become citizens .
Yes, you could move here but you would have to have a minimum amount of money. The financial threshold is around €50,000 per person per year, but you must also prove you have access to a lump sum of money to cover unforeseen expenses. This should be the equivalent to the price of purchasing a house in the U.S or around $250,000.
I live in the US and plan on retiring in 12 years, not that I’m counting!! My father was born in Ireland, and I have my Irish passport. Do I just show up and say, hello I’m here? Are there any other steps necessary? In the US we have a social security number. Is there an equivalent in Ireland that I would need?
LOL that does give you Irish citizenship and there are a few things you need to do when you arrive. If you plan to retire here and not work they say you don’t need a PPS card (like a SS # or card) but you do – so that is the first thing that you will need. Well besides an address that is. If you stay tuned to the website and keep in touch I am in the process of putting together a post on how we moved to Ireland and all the stuff we had to sort out and learn when we got here.
We are Canadians and interested in retiring to Ireland . We would like to hear from anyone , particularly Canadians that have already retired to Ireland.
Awesome happy to help will email you and we can chat
I am Canadian with Irish passport and want to look into retiring in Ireland . Interested in health care and taxation and how that will affect me. I own an ancestral home in Kerry
Hi Catherine this article is specifically for Canadians with an IRISH passport https://xyuandbeyond.com/moving-to-ireland-the-ultimate-guide/ who want to move to Ireland it details all the stuff you will come up against. Healthcare, driving licenses, working and so on. Hopefully it will help and feel free to email me at daehder@gmail.com if you have any questions.
We are simple livers — would like a small cottage in the rural west, are in good health, and would grow much of our food. Is the retirement income requirement hard and fast? We’d have about $50k yearly and $400k for emergencies. Thank you.
Yes, I’m afraid it is hard very hard to retire to Ireland. You have to have a minimum of 50K each person and then the 250K all in euros of course for a minimum of 5 years before you can apply for citizenship. So if you only have 50K a year coming in for two of you – then you would need to have at least 500k in the bank as “emergency” money which would give you that requirement. So 100K income a year and then the 250K savings. Unless you can prove EU ancestry and obtain an EU passport and then those requirements don’t matter.
My husband and I will have $1.4 million saved but only $36,000 per year in income when we retire. (That income increases to $60,000 per year after age 62) According to the current rules, we can only stay in Ireland for 6 months out of the year even though we want to live there for only 5 years. There is no path currently in the rules for us stay longer than 6 months and enjoy everything Irish. The proposed changes of 2016 would allow us to do so. What is the status on any upcoming legislation or is there something we’re missing in the current rules?
Hi Rhonda, well as you know the requirements to retire to Ireland and for the first 5 years before you can claim residency are as follows:
An annual income of equal to €50,000 per person – so over 5 years that would be the equivalent of €500,000 euros
Savings equal to the cost of buying a home in Ireland – an additional €250,000 in the bank to purchase a home (note here you don’t have to purchase one, you can rent for 5 years)
Comprehensive private Irish-based medical insurance – for both of you
It seems to me that your argument would be that with your savings you obviously have that as you would need to prove a minimum of €100,000 a year for 5 years plus the 250k to purchase a property. You easily have that with your savings and income per year from pensions. Housing prices can be expensive here if you plan on buying in a bigger city, but if you plan to spend your time in a more “rural” setting or smaller town the price can be substantially lower.
I think you should contact your local Irish consulate and speak with them, if you can prove your savings and income it seems to me that you should be able to access the required visa.
My wife is Irish, born in Ireland and she has an Irish Passport. What are the requirements for us to retire to Ireland ? I was born in Canada and we are both US citizens , currently living and running a business in the US.
You should have no trouble at all with your wife being Irish. It’s a pretty easy process simply contact the local Irish Consulate near you and have your wife apply for a Visa for you. You won’t have to meet any monetary criteria if you are retired and have a pension, unlike those who have no Irish connections or ancestry. Here is a link to the requirements. https://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/spouse-or-civil-partner-of-an-irish-national
I don’t understand even EU citizens have to have around €50,000 per person per year and €250.000 in savings? I thought the whole idea of EU was to make free movement between countries.
No EU citizens do not need that type of income due to the freedom of movement between EU countries. Only those outside the EU have those financial requirements, as in Americans, Canadians, Australians and so on.
My wife & I are considering the possibility of retiring in Ireland, or at least 6 months out of the year. we both have great grandparents born in Germany and she has great grandparents born in Ireland and the UK. Our total (non-taxable) income is $78,024 a year. My medical is covered totally by the V.A. and hers by medicare. What are our chances or what would we have to do?
Hi Edward, the difficulty is that if you wanted to stay longer you would need to apply for a Long Stay Visa which would mean proving that you have the required income. You could stay in Ireland up to 90 days at a time but only within a 180 day period. This would mean living here for 3 months going back to the US or some other non EU country for 90 days and then returning to Ireland. You would need 50K each and 250K in the bank as a “safety net” of sorts.
As a German, In essence, you can reclaim your German citizenship by descent if:
You have ancestors who had their citizenship taken away under Nazi rule on political, racial or religious grounds in 1938.
You have ancestors who were born on Germany territory before 1914, have held German passports in the past or were employed by the German government before 1949.
I applied for and expect to received Irish citizenship due to both of my grandparents being born in Ireland. What I am interested in knowing is, if my wife and I retire in Ireland from the US, what are the tax consequences of my US social security and 401K payments. An example might be $30k/year from SS and $40k/year from 401K, total annual income of $70k
Hi Kevin, you are required by law I believe to pay your taxes in the US so any of your tax responsibilities will come from there. If you don’t work in Ireland you don’t have to pay taxes. There are various complicated laws around taxes because of being a US citizen and you can read some here https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/blog/expat-taxes-for-americans-in-ireland/ hopefully this will help a little.
My husband and I are US citizens, and had hoped to move to Ireland after I retire from teaching in 2026 (my husband is already retired). We did lots of research a few years ago, but are now realizing the rules changed with Stamp 0. We would both have our teacher pensions, and we would have income from a 401K. We have a young son who will be 14 in 2026, so he would need to finish secondary school. My questions are: if we can manage to meet the financial threshold to obtain a Stamp 0, would we be able to bring our son with us, and would our son be able to attend secondary school in Ireland?
Hi Jennifer under a Stamp 0 the law says this “I am not permitted to have a family member join me on the basis that I am resident in the
State”. There may be a way to get your son a Visa but that would have to be a question for the consulate as special circumstances may apply given his age. I would contact the nearest consulate and inquire with them. Sorry I can’t be much more help on this.
Thank you.
My Irish great-grandparents on my mother’s side emigrated from County Mayo to the US in the 1864, and my maternal grandfather was born in PA in 1868. My maternal grandmother (nee Hickey) may have been born on the Isle, but I have not been able to verify that. What would I have to do to become a citizen of Ireland, and can I become a dual citizen of Ireland and the US? TIA for any helpful info you can provide.
You need to find out if your grandmother is Irish if you can prove that you can apply for foreign birth registration and then become an Irish citizen. Not sure on the US regulations but many other countries allow dual citizenship so you would have to check that. You should be able to find your grandmothers information by tracing back if you can get your mother’s birth certificate then follow the trail to your grandparents’ wedding certificate and then their birth certificates you could find out if she was born in Ireland. You may need the help of a genealogical expert, or if you are visiting Ireland try the EPIC centre in Dublin they may be able to help you trace your ancestry.
Hi, my husband’s parents immigrated to Canada from Northern Ireland in 1956. My husband was born here, in Canada. Does that automatically entitle him to Irish citizenship? If so, as a (Northern) Irish citizen would he be eligible for government services (healthcare, benefits, voting, etc)? Would he need to register as a foreign birth? Also, we are 30 years common-law relationship (never married but had children)… would I need to apply for citizenship as a spouse? (Sorry for all these questions! I have been searching for information about this for days and I am very confused about what to do first!) Thanks for your time, Susan
Hi, Susan, your husband is entitled to Irish and UK citizenship. He can apply for a British passport based on his parents birth in N. Ireland and he can also apply for Irish citizenship based on his parents birth in N. Ireland. Here in Ireland, it doesn’t matter where you were born or your parents or grandparents – if born on the Island (back to grandparents) you are entitled to claim Irish citizenship. He should obtain his parents birth certs and wedding certificate and a passport application from the nearest Irish consulate and apply for an Irish passport. This is a relatively simply process but it could take up to 6 months as the applications are very heavy right now. No, he doesn’t need to register a foreign birth only if it was his grandparents that emigrated. He can do exactly the same to obtain his British passport. If you want to live in Northern Ireland or Ireland depending on which passport he gets you would be eligible for all benefits and once you register to vote you can vote obviously lol. The trouble is Brexit – if you want free-range throughout Europe and the rights that come with being a European Union member and Irish passport is the one to get. If you don’t care go with a British passport. My suggestion and advice would be to apply for an Irish passport. This way you can still live in either Northern Ireland or the Republic or England, Scotland or Wales and you have the right to live anywhere in the EU. Since you are common-law you would be eligible for a Spouse visa for either place but wouldn’t be entitled to citizenship in either country until you have lived in either for a set period of time and can apply for citizenship. This is a pretty expensive process though but as a spouse, you are still entitled to all the benefits of any other citizen. If you have any other questions feel free to email me at info@xyuandbeyond.com and I will try to find answers for you.
Thank you so much!
Hello. I am a Canadian who is interested in retiring in Ireland on a Canadian pension and establishing residency. I am wondering about the logistics of managing Canadian income and savings whilst living in Ireland. Do some of the Irish banks have services for Canadian expats receiving income from Canadian sources? Or is it preferable to have the Canadian income deposited to a Canadian bank and to transfer to an Irish account on an ‘as needed’ basis? What are recommended strategies for minimizing foreign exchange charges? Any advice that you can provide would be appreciated.
Hi Sarah, as long as you qualify for an Irish passport you can retire here (we did). If you don’t qualify for residency it’s a bit more difficult. We use our Canadian bank to receive our pensions and then simply transfer out what we need here. We do have an Irish bank for all the usual expenses but trying to coordinate Canadian banks with Irish for transfer is a royal pain in the proverbial. Canadian banks are not great when it comes to international transfers and they can take at least a week sometimes longer. So we simply take out cash from Canada and put into our Irish bank accounts. We have accounts for the over a certain age that don’t charge us massive fees so look into your bank to see what they offer. We try not to use the ATM’s often because of the charges but we shift over a large sum every month for expenses and then use credit cards which are paid off right away or before the due date to ensure no interest. Hope that helps.
I’m a 66-year-old woman who was born and raised in the US. Since both of my parents were born in Ireland, I’m a dual citizen and have an Irish passport in addition to my US passport. My wife is Jewish, also born in the US. While her grandparents were born overseas, she currently has only US citizenship. I’m retired; she is younger and still working. Given the current situation in the US, which is becoming less safe for the LGBTQ community, we are considering moving out of the country. I loved Ireland when I visited, so it’s high on the list of places we’re considering.
I’ve done a little research, and though I don’t yet know what my rights and responsibilities would be, as far as I can tell it would not be too hard for me to move to Ireland. I think I would be able to live, work, and rent or buy property without much difficulty.
I’m not sure what would be involved for my wife, though. Would she be able to move with me? Would she be able to work if she wanted or needed to? What would her rights and responsibilities be, as the spouse of a citizen by descent, if she has any?
Hi Terry, you won’t have any problems at all as you are an Irish citizen and have all the rights as any other citizen. Your wife will be able to enter Ireland with you and when you arrive at customs and immigration she would have to apply for the right to stay as your spouse. The categories for family relationships include – Spouses or civil partners, Long term, de facto partners and other family members. There are two types of categories wife, husband or civil partner which means your marriage/civil partnership is recognized by your state or country or what they call “de facto” Partnership this is one in which you have to prove you have been together for at least 2 years amongst other things. You can read more about “permission to remain as a spouse of a non-EEA citizen here. https://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP07000024.
Your wife will have all the rights and responsibilities of an Irish citizen – accept the Irish citizenship part lol. You can both stay here, buy property, work and live just as any other person would. I hope this helps and please feel free to email me (info@xyuandbeyond.com) if you would like more information or if there is anything I can find out for you.
Hi, my fiance and i are from Botswana,Africa and would love to move to Ireland to start our new lives,probably find work and further our studies.What are the requirements since we dont know anione in Ireland .
Well if you don’t have parents or grandparents born here you can’t get Irish citizenship and the visa situation is pretty difficult. If you meet one of the qualifications on the critical skills list you might be able to get a visa https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Permit-Types/Critical-Skills-Employment-Permit/ Another way would be to attend school here and obtain permission to stay for education and get an education visa.
Hello,
I have a legal document from WW1 stating my Grandfathers parents were both borne in Ireland. Does that mean
I cannot retire there?
Hi Pamela, no sorry the Irish law states that it must be either your grandparents or your parents that need to be Irish citizens. Now if your great-grandparents registered their children’s births with Ireland they are Irish citizens so you could check that out. If not you won’t be able to retire to Ireland unless you meet the financial requirements.
Hello again,
I checked out where Granddad was borne- but was unable to find any records of it over here. On his war records he describes himself as a British Subject. Does that mean his birth is registered overseas?
Yes, he would have been a British subject at the time if it was before 1916 and the Uprising when he was born and before he moved. I would check the Irish records if you can.
Wife has dual EU (France) and USA citizenship. Husband has USA citizenship. What would be required to retire to Ireland?
As an EU citizen, your wife has the right to move to Ireland at any time she wishes. As the spouse of an EU citizen, you and your wife will have to apply for a residence card for yourself and once you get to Ireland you will need to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), but as family members of an EU/EEA citizen, there will be no charge for this registration. Check with your local Irish Consulate in the US for the correct paperwork and official information but many a US citizen has taken up residence here as the spouse of an EU citizen.
What are the income, savings, and health insurance requirements to retire in Ireland if wife has dual French and US citizenship and husband has US citizenship? We find this to be a confusing area and hope you can clarify it for us.
Because your wife is a French citizen and entitled to an EU passport there are no minimum requirements with regard to any of those issues. You are both allowed to move to Ireland and retire. As a US citizen, you are allowed to collect SS as Ireland has a reciprocal arrangement with the US on those issues. Obviously you would need to have an income as a retired couple and would have savings, pensions and so on from whereever you have lived and worked previously. Most Irish take out a private healthcare plan so I would highly recommend this but as for other financial requirements, you would be exempt.
You didn’t mention the 1922 grandparents entitlement. If a grandparent born anywhere (incl UK Northern Ireland) before 1922 then their offspring all are automatically citizens and can apply to have the foreign birth registry done, get citizenship paper, and get passport. This one avoids the foreign parent status at birth for the baby boomers and us Generation X.
That’s a given if you have an Irish grandparent – regardless of where (Republic or N. Ireland) or what year they were born in you are entitled to Irish citizenship it’s pretty straightforward. If your grandparent was born before 1922 in the USA you are not entitled to claim Irish citizenship. What that law refers to is those born before 1922 in Ireland were born under the “dominion” of the United Kingdom actually making them British subjects. Over the years and in recognizing Ireland as a free country the laws have changed. The law says this:
If you were born outside Ireland, you can become an Irish citizen if:
One of your grandparents was born in Ireland
or
One of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, even if they were not born in Ireland. Your parent may have claimed citizenship through the Foreign Births Register themselves, or become a citizen by naturalisation.
Hello from another Canadian! Thanks for the ideas. I am confused about something though, you mentioned that we are not allowed more than 90 days in Ireland. What about Northern Ireland? I was under the impression we were allowed up to six months. Unless there is a stipulation I have missed in my research. I would be interested in knowing if Canadians move near an Irish border town to make the wait time and travelling back n forth convenient. Thank you
Hi Marla, yes that is correct as a Canadian you are only allowed up to 90 days in Ireland but you are allowed to stay up to 6 months in the UK or N. Ireland as a Canadian citizen – they are two separate countries. This, of course, can depend on the mood of the person at immigration and customs when you land. My hubs was given 3 weeks to stay and he was born in London which should have allowed him indefinite stay as the border is open for UK citizens to move easily back and forth to Ireland and live there if they want to. If you can prove British or Irish citizenship and get a passport for either it does make life easier. Northern Ireland is going to be affected by Brexit as it is a member of the UK and not Ireland – and is leaving the European Union. If you live in N. Ireland you can currently cross the “border” to Ireland as often as you wish as the “border” doesn’t actually exist – in many cases you won’t even know you crossed a border until you see a change in the road speed times.
Hi there, Fantastic post, i honestly liked this
and helped me out a ton, many thanks.
I have Dual Canadian /French Nationality and my wife has Canadian /UK Nationality, will we have any problem moving to the Ireland from Canada. How will we be treated by the Health System of Ireland. We are retirees and will not be seeking work and have sufficient funds to move and set up house , and to maintain ourselves from pension incomes annually
My adult son and I are dual citizens US/Luxembourg . Husband is an American . I &spouse want to retire in Ireland. Son wants to live and work there. Are there any financial points we have to have IE, A minimum amount of income or banked cash? Can my spouse come to? Any conditions he as to meet?
You and your son are allowed to live in Ireland with no minimum income or banked cash as you are EU citizens so freedom of movement is guaranteed. Your husband will have to apply for a visa as per the Irish government – “If your spouse or civil partner is a citizen of a non-EEA country, they may need to apply for a visa before they can travel to Ireland. You can use the INIS website to check if they need a visa. If your spouse or civil partner needs a visa, they must apply for a Join Family Member (D) visa.” https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/returning_to_ireland/residency_and_citizenship/returning_to_ireland_with_your_non_eea_spouse.html#:~:text=If%20your%20spouse%20or%20civil,Family%20Member%20(D)%20visa. The process given the world situation can be quite long and many visas have been taking up to a year to process. I hope that helps.
I am a British citizen wishing to take up permanent retirement in Ireland and after the required five years apply for Irish citizenship. Would you be able to direct me to the best way of finding information on how to go about this? Do you know how likely it would be at my age to be granted Irish citizenship? Thank you.
Well you shouldn’t have a problem becoming an Irish citizen once you have lived in the State for 5 years out of 9 here is the information you need and age has no bearing on it so you don’t need to worry about that. This includes 1 year (365 or 366 days) of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply.
You must send us 3 different documents for each year you claim you were resident here to use as proof of residence. You should submit photocopies of each document and ensure that each document shows your name and address.
This information comes from https://www.irishimmigration.ie/citizenship/become-an-irish-citizen-by-naturalisation/#Adult-EU so I hope that helps.
I was born in Northern Ireland as were my parents. We immigrated to Canada when I was 6. My parents got their Canadian Citizenships and since I was a child that was automatically applied to me. Would I be able to move back to Ireland and would I be eligible for benefits, social, health, etc. and if so do ‘I need to reside for a certain number of months to qualify in order to apply. Do I need to have a set amount of money? As a child I had an Irish Passport and I know I can apply as an adult for my Irish Passport (had the correct forms sent to me)
Yes absolutely I emigrated to Canada when I was 8 and had a Canadian passport, but because my birth certificate said I was born in N. Ireland in Coleraine I was automatically entitled to an Irish passport which I applied for and easily got. I could also apply for a UK passport but the Irish passport is much more valuable since Brexit. So yes you could move back to Ireland once you got your passport and you would be eligible to apply for some benefits. You don’t need a set amount of money either to move here.
I have a UK passport and am looking to retire to Southern
Ireland before Brexit deadline.
How are my rights to travel within EU guaranteed? Will I need to take out health insurance?
I was hoping to get an Irish passport through my grandad but there is no record of a birth certificate in Ireland or UK. His two brothers and sisters all older were registered born in Dublin and in 1870’s the family moved to Liverpool and settled there.I wonder If shortly after his birth they moved to Liverpool without registering .
Without a birth record , is it pointless to apply?
Thanks
Hi, Terry under the Common Travel area between Ireland and the UK you are allowed to move to Ireland regardless of Brexit. There is no agreement in place with any other EU country. You would be eligible for Ireland’s health care but it is a user-pay system. Any visit to a Dr will cost you around €50 euro and you will have to pay for your prescriptions and up to €80 a day to a 10-day max for hospital stays. Many in Ireland do take out private healthcare as the system is bogged down with cuts and waitlists can be long and with private insurance, they don’t have to wait and things like glasses and dental care can get expensive as they are not covered. Take a look at this page https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-ireland which gives you more information.
Born in USA. 66 years old; single; fixed retirement low income. Received Irish citizenship through bloodline and Ireland-EU passport. I understand I have the right to residency in Ireland. But, the only way I could afford to retire to and live in Ireland would be by being approved [before leaving USA] to live in senior or disabled (I’m both) housing in Ireland, before I could leave my current senior housing in USA. Your information published here quotes “financial threshold is around €50,000 per person per year” to retire there. SORRY, NO CAN DO; unless, you have more detailed information for low income retirees. The only way I could get into senior housing in USA was based on low fixed retirement income, which is considerably less than the “threshold * * * €50,000 per person per year”.
The threshold is for those who hope to retire to Ireland with no Irish citizenship/passport you could try contacting this group who may be able to help with advice but housing in Ireland is very expensive and special housing is extremely limited https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/returning_to_ireland/
Second comment, because I forgot one point. In Portugal, I found that a senior person can try out senior housing on a month to month basis. I found no such possibilities existing in Ireland during a net search. Having Irish citizenship and Ireland-EU passport, I’m aware that I have some residency advantages without visa requirements to stay and reside in Portugal.
Yes you can easily live in any EU country with an Irish passport which opens up a lot of options and Portugal is much less expensive than Ireland, as is Spain and France surprisingly. You can rent a penthouse apartment in Spain on the coast for less than $500 US a month.
I have an Irish Passport and live with my wife of 36 years in Florida. We are basically retired and would like to live in Ireland. My wife is a U.S. Citizen. After a period of living in Ireland, can she obtain Irish Citizenship as my wife?
Thanks
Hi yes she can obtain citizenship as an Irish citizen the law says this “For spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens, you can apply for naturalisation after 3 years of marriage or civil partnership and 3 years of reckonable residence in Ireland. For children of adults who have received citizenship by naturalisation, the child must generally have lived in Ireland for 3 years.” As your wife, though she is entitled to access any and all Irish services without citizenship and keep in mind citizenship costs around €2000 Euros currently and there is a period of time that she cannot leave Ireland for although that rule is changing I believe.
I tried emailing you but the site didn’t accept my account. So here go. I have dual citizenship. Actually lived and played in the streets of Armagh City in the North where all my family still remains. My brother emigrated back over 10 years ago, he just died and it’s opened up many emotions in me, one of which although I know I could move there without worrying over the massive monetary requirements for non Irish citizens, my concern is health care. I have a good pension from working in the states but I never worked in Ireland so I know
I would not qualify for health care so I would need to know how I could obtain insurance, if there are different types and levels, and what might the cost? If you could advise me I would be most appreciative. I am almost 67 years old. Thank you so much
Hi Nancy, you didn’t make it clear where in Ireland you wanted to settle. If you have dual citizenship and have passports including a UK one and an Irish one you can settle either in the North (UK) or in Ireland (ROI) with no worries. In both cases, you will qualify for the state healthcare which in the North is the NHS and in the ROI is the HSE. In the North, the NHS is all pretty much free to any person who is considered “normally resident” which means as long as you have an address and can prove you live there you can apply for a National Insurance number which is what you would use for healthcare. In the Republic, the same thing applies as long as you are “normally resident” and can prove your address etc you qualify for the HSE. However, in the ROI there are costs associated with healthcare so for example if you need to see a Doctor the cost ranges from 50 euro to 40 euro depending on where you settle. Medications are very cheap but you do have to pay for them. If you are staying in hospital you will be charged what is affectionately known and the BnB cost which is €80 euros per day to a maximum of €800 euros. Many in the Republic have private health care plans which allow them to skip the line so to speak. It’s your choice of health coverage insurance but it will pay extra costs and private consultancy as wait times can be quite long for non-emergency health issues. If you have something like Diabetes or a long term disease you will qualify for a long term care card through your Doctor which ensures that you don’t have to pay for anything related to your condition. So doctors visits, blood tests, medications and so on are all free for life. I will send you an email with this information just in case you have other questions.
Faith,
You’re a saint to answer all these questions! I hope you’ll tolerate one more? I have a question about the 50,000 Euro income rule as I only have a U.S. passport and would love to retire in Ireland. I plan to retire in 5 years and will have a teacher’s pension but it won’t be 50,000 Euro a year! I assume the 50,000 Euro requirement is income and BEFORE taxes? If I rented my home in the U.S. could that be added to my annual income to meet the threshold? Other than the emergency lump sum 250,000 Euro, how does retirement account investments and annual (4%) withdraws fit in to the 50,000 Euro annual requirement? Is there a certain savings amount that would preclude the annual income requirement? Sorry to ask but I can’t seem to find this information anywhere. Thank you for any information!
Hi Victor it’s a tricky situation with income and savings. Ideally the 50,000 per year income can be obtained by any means, pensions, investments etc. If for example your lump sum is over 250K the additional overage can also be calculated into the 50k per year requirement. So if you have 350K then 100K of that can be considered an additional 2 years worth of income. You only have to prove that 50k per year for a period of 5 years until you become resident at that time you are then I guess you would say ‘released’ from the requirement. And yes that is before taxes.
In some cases I’ve heard of the person has had an income of 35K and made up the difference with savings over the 250K amount as well as investment income or any other income such as rental income, or business income. I would suggest that you contact your local Irish consulate and speak to them personally detailing your situation and your income and see what they have to say. Things can change and there has been much talk about the ridiculous income requirements for retiring in Ireland and hopefully some changes will be made in the future.
Hi Faith. I agree with Victor – you are so kind to reply to these questions! My question is similar to his. Within a year I’ll reach 59 and 1/2 years, which is when I am allowed to withdraw money from my 401K retirement. I suppose I can take out whatever I need, and I also have plenty of liquid assets in reserve (well over the threshold). I imagine that would allow me to meet the requirements quite easily. Thoughts? I love Ireland and have even written a couple of novels set there. Thank you!
Hello, you should have no problem as long as you can meet the required thresholds which is the 50,000 euro per person income per year and the 250k in savings. Doesn’t matter where the ‘income’ comes from as long as you have those amounts you should be fine. I love to know what your novels are – I do love a good book.
Thank you for confirming what I assumed to be the facts. I have only published one of the two novels (looking for an agent for the second). You can find it on Amazon UK or at http://www.myirishdog.com. I hope you enjoy if you end up reading. The setting is Counties Tipperary and Limerick, for the most part at least. Thanks again for your wonderful information.
Hello and thank you for your answers. I have my Irish and United States passports. My wife and 12 year old child have only US passports. I applied for foreign birth registration for our child but that process is expected to take a long time due to the suspension of processing due to covid-maybe 2 more years. We want to move to Ireland. From what I have read since I am an Irish citizen then there will be no income or savings requirement for my wife? And our child is 12, and in the seventh grade and we would like for him to attend university in Ireland. My understanding is our child has to be residing in Ireland for 3 years of the 5 years prior to attending university in order to not be charged tuition. At what age does he have to be living in Ireland (when do we need to move by)?
I wanted to add we will be moving to Ireland because of the culture, the people and the land, not just for the education. I spent almost every full summer until I was 18 in Ireland visiting relatives and traveling around until my Father bought a cottage in Donegal and we then spent our time there. I have everlasting good memories. I never wanted to go back home at the end of the summer.
You can’t beat Donegal as we say “it’s different up here” and the craic is mighty
We are living in South Africa and are both retired. We are both on uk passports. We would like to immigrate to Ireland to be with family. What are the rules and regulations of South African retirees wanting to move to Ireland.
Because you have British passports you can retire to Ireland with no issues whatsoever. There is a freedom of movement law that says the Irish can move to the UK and the British can move to Ireland. You will have to apply for health care and maybe a PPS card but that is standard. You won’t need visas of any kind just go and enjoy.
I have a question about Irish citizenship through descent from a great grandparent. Both my wife and I have great grand parents born in Ireland, but we don’t think either of them registered us with the Foreign Births Register before we were born. (How does none check?) I If that is not the case, is there a way to establish citizenship through a great grand parent who did not register? I understood you could live in Ireland for 3 years (part time or full time?) and then go through the citizenship naturalization process after you have established a close connection with Ireland. Is this correct? And if so, how does an American live in Ireland for 3 years without citizenship? Does it matter is one is retired or consulting, but not seeking full time work in Ireland? Love to know if there is a way to become an Irish citizen. Thanks very much.
Hi Thomas, sadly you can only go back to your grandparents to gain Irish citizenship so you would not be able to register with the Foreign Births Register to gain Irish citizenship. However, an exception DOES exist! If your parent obtained citizenship (through his/her grandparent) either prior to your birth OR prior to July 1, 1986, you are then eligible to apply for citizenship through your Irish citizen parent. You could write to the Register but it is probably very unlikely they registered in that case you would have to qualify on a monetary basis to be able to live in Ireland. The Critical Skills Visa allows you to work in occupations where there is a labour shortage in Ireland so you would have to check that to see if you are eligible. https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Highly-Skilled-Eligible-Occupations-List/
If you are not eligible through critical skills, your only other option is through but this requires an income of at least 50k each plus enough money to support yourself equivalent to the purchase of a home in Ireland which would mean around 250K minimum in savings. https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-retire-to-ireland/
Hi there ! Curious about retiring to Ireland. I’m a dual national (USA and Italy), my wife is not (US citizen). My question has to do with health insurance – would We still need private insurance or would my EU citizen status allow for benefits in the State ? ThAnks.
You would need private insurance for both of you for a period of one year, at that time you become ordinarily resident once you prove your residency. https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/health_system/entitlement_to_public_health_services.html