Guidance

Living in Ireland

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

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Published: 14 May 2013
• Last updated: 6 November 2025 — See all updates

Getting help with living in Ireland 

Help from the Irish government 

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

• Irish Embassy in London 

• Irish Immigration Service 

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

Professional help in country 

You can also get help from professionals in Ireland, including:  

• lawyers 

• notaries  

• funeral directors  

Help from the UK government 

Read the travel advice for Ireland to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Ireland. This includes the latest information on:  

• visas and entry requirements  

• laws and cultural differences 

• safety and security 

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. 

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.  

Visas, residency and citizenship  

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Ireland before you travel.  

Visas  

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

For more information, read guidance on:  

• the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK 

• residence rights of British citizens in Ireland after Brexit 

• family members and dependants who are not British nationals 

Citizenship  

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

To find out if you’re eligible for Irish citizenship, read guidance on becoming an Irish citizen. 

Residency if you moved to Ireland before 1 January 2021 

If you moved to Ireland before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. 

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

Passports and travel  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to: 

• apply for a British passport from abroad 

• travel urgently without your British passport  

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

Always carry your passport and residency document when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence document or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.  

European Entry/Exit System (EES) 

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) there are new rules for entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area. 

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

For more information about the EES, read:  

• EU guidance on the EES 

• guidance on the EES for UK nationals  

Healthcare in Ireland  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to: 

• plan your healthcare 

• take medicine abroad  

To find out how to get medical treatment:  

• contact your insurance provider 

• read guidance on healthcare in Ireland and health in Ireland 

• find medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Ireland 

Working in Ireland 

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government. 

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

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

• UK police certificate 

• Garda police certificate  

If you live in Ireland and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country before 1 January 2021, read guidance for frontier workers. 

Recognition of qualifications 

If you want to work in Ireland, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised. 

Driving in Ireland  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to: 

• drive abroad legally 

• take your UK vehicle abroad 

• get driving licence letters  

The Irish National Driver Licence Service provides information on driving in Ireland, including how to apply for an Irish driving licence. 

For more information, read guidance on:  

• driving in the EU 

• road travel in Ireland, in safety and security in the travel advice for Ireland 

Driving in Ireland using a foreign driving licence  

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

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

• the UK 

• Gibraltar 

• Jersey 

• Guernsey 

• the Isle of Man 

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

Exchanging your driving licence  

If you’re resident in Ireland, you must exchange your foreign driving licence. You must do this to drive legally in Ireland – an international driving permit is not a substitute for exchanging your licence.   

You’ll need to:  

• get a check code from the DVLA – for English, Welsh and Scottish driving licences 

• get a check code from the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) – for Northern Irish driving licences 

The Irish National Driver’s Licence Service has frequently asked questions about exchanging driving licences. 

Disabled drivers 

You may be able to apply for an EU parking card for people with disabilities.  

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Ireland, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority. 

Tax  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.  

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Ireland so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. 

Contact the Irish Revenue department for any questions about double taxation relief. Read guidance on tax in Ireland from Citizens Information. 

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Ireland. To do this, find a lawyer in Ireland. 

National Insurance  

Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. 

Pensions 

Claiming your UK pension 

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers: 

• how to claim your UK State Pension 

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

Your UK state pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and now live in the EU.  

Claiming an Irish pension 

Contact the Irish Department of Social Protection to find out whether you can claim an Irish State Pension. 

Benefits  

Claiming UK benefits  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers claiming UK benefits abroad.   

You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland. 

Claiming Irish benefits  

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

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

• determining habitual residence 

• social welfare payments 

Buying and renting property in Ireland  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.  

Read Citizens Information guidance on buying or renting property in Ireland. 

Contact a lawyer in Ireland if you’re considering buying property or land.  

Voting in Ireland 

UK elections 

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers voting in UK elections and registering as an overseas voter.  

Irish elections  

You can vote in Irish local or national elections if you’re old enough.  

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

Studying in Ireland 

You do not need a visa to study in Ireland.  

For more information, read guidance on:  

• studying in the EU 

• travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)  

You can also contact:  

• your higher education provider in the UK or Ireland 

• the Irish higher education department  

• the Irish Embassy in London 

Children 

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:  

• getting permission to take your child abroad  

• claiming UK Child Benefit abroad 

• child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad  

Schools and education 

The European Commission provides information about the school system in Ireland.  

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

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

• the Irish school system 

• finding a school 

• teaching your child at home  

Childcare  

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for childcare services in Ireland. 

Read guidance on childcare supports including the National Childcare Scheme.  

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships 

Births  

If your child is born in Ireland, register the birth with the Irish authorities.  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:  

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

• apply for your child’s first British passport  

Deaths  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:  

• what to do after someone dies abroad 

• how to register the death with the UK authorities  

If someone dies in Ireland, read guidance on: 

• what to do after a British person dies in Ireland 

• funeral directors in Ireland 

• registering a death in Ireland 

Marriages and civil partnerships  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.  

The Irish government provides information on getting married in Ireland.  

Divorce and separation 

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.  

Citizens Information offers guidance on how to get a divorce in Ireland.  

Consider taking legal advice from a lawyer in Ireland. 

Documents for British people in Ireland 

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:   

• legalising and certifying UK documents  

• marriage and civil partnership documents 

• affirmations and affidavits  

• witnessing signatures 

Lawyers and notaries  

To find a lawyer or notary in Ireland, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.  

Pets 

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

• bringing pets to Ireland 

• pet travel from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 

• taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to an EU country 

• travelling with pets to Northern Ireland 

Returning to the UK  

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services. 

Read Citizens Information guidance on leaving Ireland. 

Disclaimer  

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

Read our consular information disclaimer.

Published 14 May 2013

Last updated 6 November 2025 + show all updates

1. 6 November 2025

   Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

2. 8 August 2023

   Coronavirus section deleted

3. 22 December 2021

   Extension for non-EEA family members of UK nationals residing in Ireland before 30 June 2022 to apply for a residence document under the Withdrawal Agreement (https://www.irishimmigration.ie/extension-of-date-for-non-eea-family-members-of-uk-nationals-residing-in-ireland-before-the-end-of-the-transition-period-on-31-december-2020-to-apply-for-a-residence-document-under-the-withdrawal-agre/).

4. 8 December 2021

   Guide reviewed and updated with new information, including in the sections on driving and pets.

5. 5 February 2021

   Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines

6. 31 December 2020

   Updated as the transition period ends

7. 10 September 2020

   Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021

8. 24 January 2020

   Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.

9. 2 October 2019

   Brexit update: new information about exchanging UK driving licences and motor insurance in the ´driving section.´ Updates in the ´visa and residency´ and ´working in Ireland´ section.

10. 17 June 2019

    EU Exit update: added information on travel in EU, EEA and EFTA countries in the event of a no deal exit.

11. 15 April 2019

    EU Exit update: added in new information in passports and travel and returning to the UK sections

12. 10 April 2019

    EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections

13. 13 March 2019

    We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.

14. 27 February 2019

    EU Exit update: updated the Common Travel Area guidance and advice on driving in Ireland

15. 22 February 2019

    EU Exit update: Updated information on passports. You must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip.

16. 14 February 2019

    EU Exit update: Latest message from the British Ambassador to Ireland on the Common Travel Area added to the EU Exit section

17. 29 January 2019

    EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare

18. 18 January 2019

    EU exit update - updated information on pensions and passports

19. 10 December 2018

    EU Exit update: We have added information about the Common Travel Area under the Visas and Residency and Working in Ireland sections.

20. 28 November 2018

    EU exit update: Added in link to information about the Common Travel Area and citizens rights.

21. 22 November 2018

    EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.

22. 7 March 2018

    All content has been revised to ensure it's accurate and up to date.

23. 14 May 2013

    First published.