Dreaming of Moving to Ireland? Here’s What You Need to Know if You’re American

Want to move, but not sure where to go? Whether your job has gone fully remote or you’re otherwise at a point in life where you want a change in scenery, such as retirement, moving to Ireland fits the bill nicely if you crave a laid-back lifestyle in a gorgeous landscape filled with history. Plus, there’s the added benefit of being in an American-friendly country that speaks English. So, if you’re considering heading overseas as an expat, here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about moving to Ireland from the U.S.

Before heading across the pond, it’s best to consult current travel requirements, but it is possible for an American to move to Ireland on a visa.

To enter the country, you’ll need a current passport, and if you intend on staying longer than 90 days, you will need to obtain permission and documentation from Irish officials. You’ll need to do this prior to heading to Ireland as you most likely will have to present these proofs upon entry.

“For Americans looking to stay in Ireland over 90 days, you will need a long-term stay ‘D visa,’” says former Dublin resident Janelle Axton, “and if you are looking to work in Ireland, you will need to apply for an employment permit.” There are different kinds of long-stay visas — including a study visa, a join family visa, a work visa, a minister of religion visa, a volunteer visa, and a working holiday visa, per the Immigration Advice Service. 

If you want to go to Ireland to work and obtain a work visa, you’ll need to have a job offer from an “Irish employer who is in Ireland at the time of submitting your visa application,” and meet salary requirements. You’ll need to apply for an employment permit, too — there are at least 9 different types of employment permits that you’ll need to know about. 

You will also need to secure a PPS (Personal Public Service) number to acquire a driver’s license, pay taxes, and get a job in Ireland.

Not every visa can be extended permanently — for example, if you apply for the volunteer visa, you can only stay in Ireland on the visa for up to two years. The minister of religion visa allows you to live in the country for a maximum of six years. Make sure you know exactly how long you’re allowed to stay in the country and when you have to renew your visa to continue your stay.

There are a few ways to gain citizenship in Ireland as a US citizen, but there are requirements you have to meet, per the Irish Immigration Department of Justice. 

If you have lived in Ireland for five years, you can apply for naturalization. But to do that you have to be at least 18, be able to prove your identity, meet the requirements of residence (like having lived in Ireland continuously for a year up to your application). You also have to have proof of residency for every year you claim it, you must stay in Ireland after you become a citizen, must be “of good character,” and attend a “citizenship ceremony and make a declaration of fidelity.” 

You can also apply for naturalization if you’re married to (or in a civil partnership with) an Irish citizen, and follow requirements including, but not limited to, proving your spouse’s identity and residency. 

You can also apply for naturalization if you are declared a refugee under the International Protection Act 2015, which also has more requirements, like being at least 18 and being declared a refugee by the Minister for Justice in Ireland. 

The amount of money you’ll need to move depends on the purpose of your stay. If you plan on retiring in Ireland, you’ll have to prove that you have an individual income of €50,000 (roughly $55,500) and access to an emergency fund to cover any unexpected expenses. Also, be prepared, as living in Ireland is more expensive than living in most other European countries — as of June 2024 it was the second-most expensive EU country for goods and services, only surpassed by Denmark.

To find housing, Axton suggests searching sites like daft.ie to calculate rent or to consider purchasing a property. Rent in Ireland can be prohibitively expensive — if you want to live in the city center of Dublin, Statista reports that the average rent is €2,377. While not every county in Ireland is as expensive, do your research to figure out how much you’re likely going to be on the hook for when you move.

If renting isn’t your jam, Axton notes that there “are no restrictions for nonresidents who wish to buy a home in Ireland.” However, note that owning property in the country does not mean that you gain residency, and buying a home is obviously no small commitment, financially or personally.

Although Americans can move to Ireland without having a job, you will still need to prove that you can support yourself while living in the country, even if you intend to secure employment after you arrive. Of course, it’s also possible to retire in Ireland, but you will still need to provide the same documentation showing you have sufficient funds to support yourself while you’re there. The easiest way to move to Ireland without a job would be to join an existing family who lives there or apply for Irish citizenship, based on your country of birth or ancestry. To do that, you must pass the pre-learance stage and go on from there.