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Living in Ireland doesn’t just mean surrounding yourself with mystical culture, incredible scenery, and good beer. It is worth remembering that the Emerald Isle has a very good quality of life, well-paying jobs, and a first-rate educational system. Do you want to know more?
In this post we will tell you what it is like to live in Ireland. In addition, we will give you very useful information so you can plan your trip: the best cities in Ireland to move, the cost of your stay, the requirements and more! Settle in, pour yourself a coffee (or Irish whiskey), and find out below.
10 reasons to live in Ireland
If you are considering living in Ireland, don’t think twice! The Emerald Isle is one of the best countries to emigrate. Be careful, do not think that it is our invention, because its prosperous economy, its high quality of life and these reasons for living in Ireland prove it.
1. The quality of life in Ireland
Ireland is a country with an excellent quality of life. The government has taken good steps to make it a green nation and to lower crime rates.
2. The ideal place to learn English
The island is the ideal country to learn English. The language schools are of a high standard and, being one of the official languages, the linguistic immersion is total.
3. The great educational system of Ireland
The educational system is excellent. Several Irish schools and universities are among the best institutions in the world.
4. Accessible Education
Education is quite accessible. Living in Ireland to study English or become a professional is cheaper than doing it in other European countries.
5. The possibility of working and studying at the same time
Students can work! When you study in Ireland, you are authorized to get a job for 20 hours a week.
6. The low unemployment rate
The unemployment rate is low. By emigrating to Ireland, it is possible to find work in the world of Hospitality or in more specialized sectors with relative ease.
7. The minimum wage in Ireland
The minimum wage in Ireland is one of the highest in Europe. On average, you can earn € 1,656 per month, which is enough to make ends meet.
8. The work climate in Ireland
The work culture is very good. Irish employers have a lot of respect for working hours, so if you work overtime, they give you fair pay.
9. The famous kindness of the Irish
The Irish are very friendly, open and funny. When immigrating to Ireland, it is impossible not to feel welcome!
10. The beauty of the Emerald Isle
Ireland is a very beautiful country! The museums, the beaches, the cliffs, the pubs and everything there is to see in Ireland will conquer any traveler.
Cities to live in Ireland
There are very good reasons to live in Ireland and we are not talking about its cities. Many Irish cities, in addition to being fun, offer the quality of life and excellent study and work opportunities that characterize the Emerald Isle.
Although there are several cities where you can emigrate to Ireland, we want to recommend 3 that we love for their attractions and because they have excellent English schools and world-renowned universities. Nor do we forget the opportunities to work, which are very good. Get to know them!
Dublin
As the capital, Dublin is the ideal destination to emigrate to Ireland as it has very attractive study and work opportunities. For example, if you want to learn English, there are good schools that offer courses taught by native teachers that are quite accessible.
On the other hand, if your objective when living in Ireland is to become professional, studying in Dublin, you can train in careers in Art, Humanities, Sciences, Engineering or Business in one of its 12 universities such as Trinity College, which is number 1 in the country since 1952.
Dublin offers you good jobs if you are already a professional. In the Hospitality area, you can get unskilled or more specialized jobs. Also, the technology industry is booming, so it is possible to emigrate to Ireland and go far with experience in this sector.
Cork
Modesty aside, Cork is one of the best cities to live in Ireland and study. UNESCO named it “City of Learning” because its English schools meet very high educational standards and its teachers are specialized in teaching the language.
In addition, University College Cork is among the 286 best universities in the world. Although that is not uncommon. Its facilities and study programs oriented to Sciences, Engineering and other areas are updated to meet market demands.
As in Dublin, the Technology sector is very important in Cork by companies like Dell and Amazon that are constantly looking for employees. However, the world of Hospitality is very active too as Cork is a fairly touristy Irish city.
Galway
If there is one city that students like, it is Galway. For its festivals, the lifestyle is very lively and, in addition, it is quite accessible. Living in Galway to study English is 30-40% cheaper than doing it in Dublin and the schools are just as good.
Another advantage of living in Ireland to study in this city is the National University of Ireland. Being internationally recognized, it offers Art, Business and Technology programs that attract many students seeking a college degree.
If living in Ireland and working are important to you, Galway is an excellent destination. Business and IT professionals can seek employment in large companies. Of course, qualified or unskilled jobs in the Hospitality sector are the order of the day and pay well.
Since you know these very Irish cities, would you like to move for a while? If the answer is yes and you also want to study, let us make it happen!
Cost of living in Ireland
We will not lie to you: living in Ireland can be more expensive than doing it in Spain or other European countries. However, as the jobs are well paid, you can emigrate to Ireland comfortably if you get an unskilled job or have the opportunity to practice your profession.
That said, the cost of living in Ireland ranges from € 800 to € 1,200 per month. Of course, this figure is referential and goes up or down depending on the city where you live, the accommodation and your lifestyle. Although, in theory, these are some expenses that you should cover while in Ireland.
- Accommodation. The rent of a shared room varies between € 250 and € 350 per month and that of a single room between € 500 and € 600 per month.
- Services. The electricity, water, gas and / or condominium costs add up to € 150 per month.
- Food. To live in Ireland and make the monthly purchase, you need € 150 to € 300.
- Transportation. With € 100, you can buy a monthly pass, but Irish cities are small, so walking or cycling is a good alternative.
- Leisure. If you want to go to the movies, go shopping once in a while or go to the gym when emigrating to Ireland, you spend around € 300 a month, but it is very relative.
Climate of Ireland
Like the cost of living in Ireland, the Emerald Isle’s climate doesn’t appeal to all travelers. For starters, there are few hours of sunshine a year, so the feeling of cold is constant. Also, when emigrating to Ireland, you will see that the weather is humid and it rains very often.
Despite all this, living in Ireland has a plus point: the temperatures are not extreme! In Australia, for example, summer is sweltering and winter is very harsh in Canada or other European countries. So, in comparison, the stations in Ireland are friendlier.
- Spring: from February to April: 8 to 12 ° C.
- Summer: from May to July: 18 to 20 ° C. The warmest days are usually from July to August as there are approximately 18 hours of sunshine a day.
- Autumn: from August to October: 14 to 18 ° C.
- Winter: from November to January: 5 to 8 ° C. Although the thermal sensation makes it seem like 0 ° C of temperature.
Culture of Ireland
The Irish customs and floclore are heavily influenced by Celtic mythology and some of their festivals, which are a “fusion” between the habits of this ancient civilization and Christianity.
The most influential Irish holidays and traditions in the world are:
- Celtic crosses, shamrocks and leprechauns.
- Halloween, which was the night when the spirits returned from the afterlife, was renamed the Day of All the Dead to celebrate the deceased.
- The St. Patrick ‘s Day, commemorating the patron saint who brought the concept of the Holy Trinity to evangelize Ireland.
You will be surprised by the Irish curiosities. We have an article for you to check.
Sports in Ireland
When it comes to sports, if you decide to live in Ireland, you will see how much they love rugby. However, Gaelic football and hurling, which are Celtic games dating back many centuries, are the most widely played on the island and are played in other countries.
Gastronomy in Ireland
Speaking of food, many Irish recipes are characterized by an abundance of fish, garlic, potatoes, onions, cabbages, and other ingredients. In addition, the cuisine of Ireland has evolved under the influence of various cultures, giving rise to some must-see dishes.
- The Irish stew.
- The fish & chips, which comes from England.
- The rhubarb pie.
- The chocolate and whiskey cake.
But so that you don’t end up with honey on your lips, take a look at our article with more about Irish gastronomy.
What to do in Ireland
Something that we did not mention about Irish culture is that its festivities are so much fun! When you go to live in Ireland, you will find that the calendar is full of activities that offer fun for all travelers. Find out more about what to do in Ireland throughout the year below.
Festivals and events in Ireland
- The St. Patrick’s Day is the most popular, is not a secret.
- Groove Music Festival
- Cork Literary Festival
- Galway Art Festival
- The Festival of the Curiosity
If you are looking for adventure and nature, living in Ireland will have more than good time. Anytime, visit the following natural and cultural attractions on the Emerald Isle:
- Be dazzled by the mighty Cliffs of Moher.
- Rent a car to tour the Ring of Kerry.
- Sail and swim in the Aran Islands.
- Go hiking around the cities.
Do you prefer something more cultural? In that case, we recommend that you take a guided tour of the following monuments:
- Castles in Ireland there are many!
- Crawford Gallery, Cork
- Hunt Museum, Limerick
- National Gallery of Art of Ireland, Dublin
Where to go out in Ireland
When night falls, go party! Ireland prides itself on selling the best beer in the world and there are fun bars and clubs all over the island. However, those of Temple Bar, in Dublin, are the ones that we recommend the most if you are going to live in Ireland.
Although you also have very good options distributed throughout the homeland of Guinness Beer and Jameson Whiskey. For instance:
- The Porterhouse
- The Brazen Head
- Sean’s Bar
- The Palace Bar
But if you want to know more about the best bars in Ireland, don’t miss this article.
In short, there is so much to see and do when living in Ireland! We cannot mention everything to you, because our lives would be lost on it. On top of that, we don’t want to ruin your surprise. The best thing is that you get a cheap flight to the Emerald Isle and discover everything for yourself.
Requirements to live in Ireland
If you have already made up your mind, you should know that the requirements to live in Ireland vary according to nationality. The conditions for emigrating to Ireland that are imposed on European citizens are not the same for Latin American citizens. Keep reading that we will explain it to you.
Requirements for citizens of the European Union
With a passport or a Swiss ID or ID issued by a country of the European Union or the European Economic Area, you have no problems living in Ireland! At the airport, you must present one of these documents – currently valid – to enter the Emerald Isle.
Once you are in the country of clovers, you can live in Ireland to study, work or vacation as long as you want. However, if you want to live in Ireland for more than 3 months, you must show that you have funds to cover all your expenses and apply for temporary residence.
Requirements for citizens of Latin America
As a Latin American citizen, the rules for emigrating to Ireland change a bit. If your objective is to vacation or live in Ireland to study NO MORE than 3 months, you must process a Visit visa unless you are a citizen of one of these visa-exempt countries.
- Costa Rica.
- The Savior.
- Guatemala.
- Honduras.
- Mexico.
- Nicaragua.
- Panama.
Instead, you need a Study visa if your plans to emigrate to Ireland are to study and work. With a validity of 8 months, but valid for your entire trip if you enroll in the university, it authorizes you to work part time.
Extra fact : You can renew it 2 more times to live in Ireland for 2 years and finish your course. Learn more about visas for Ireland.
Visas to work in Ireland
Do you want to work in Ireland? Then things change, as the requirements for work visas are more demanding. You must be clear about your purposes to live in Ireland since there are several permits that you can process.
- Employment visa: authorizes you to live in Ireland if you already have a job offer even if you have not signed a contract with an Irish employer.
- Employment (Scientific Researcher): With this visa, you can work as a researcher. Of course, you cannot carry out another work activity.
- Van Der Elst visa: if you already work in a country of the European Union or the European Economic Area, you can move if your employer requests your transfer to a company headquarters in Ireland.
In either case, you have to go through other formalities once you come to live in Ireland. The first thing to do is apply for the Irish Residence Permit when your stay exceeds 3 months. Next, you have to process the PPS Number, which is a social security number in Ireland.
Tips for living in Ireland without setbacks
At this point, you can’t deny that living in Ireland is great, so start planning your trip! As we want to give you a hand so that living in Ireland works out for you, we have prepared a list with some tips that you should apply.
Be aware of peak season when traveling to Ireland
Think carefully about what time you want to travel to Ireland. Depending on the season of the year, you can get cheaper or more expensive flights.
Compare the cost of living in each Irish city
Choose the city that suits your style and that best suits your budget to live in Ireland. Not the same living in Dublin, which in Cork or Galway.
Avoid hiring accommodation from your country
DO NOT look for accommodation from your country, you may be in for a bad surprise! It is better that you stay in a hostel from your arrival for € 20 to € 60 a night and then get something permanent.
Find out if you need a power adapter
If you want to carry gadgets, research their voltage. The electricity in Ireland is 230 V, so you would need an adapter to prevent burning.
Do your paperwork with time
If you need it, process your visa in time since the bureaucratic procedures sometimes take time.
Don’t stop taking out international medical insurance
Take out medical insurance that is valid throughout your trip. The health in Ireland is not free and bills can become quite high.
Process the PPS Number
As soon as you arrive in the country, process the PPS Number ! With it, you can make use of some public services, look for work or open a bank account.
Open your mind
Leave the prejudices at home and have fun! The more tolerant and respectful you are, the better the Irish will receive you and emigrating to Ireland will be an unforgettable experience.