If you’re considering moving to Ireland from the UK, you’re not alone. Each year, British citizens find multiple draws to the Emerald Isle and decide to make the move.
In this guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about your potential move, including immigration information, information on Irish culture, jobs, and more.
Moving to Ireland?
What are the benefits of moving to Ireland from the UK?
In general, you’re likely to find a lot of similarities between living in the UK and in Ireland. However, there are definitely some benefits to moving to Ireland. For instance, apart from in major cities like Dublin, you’ll likely find that the cost of living is more affordable than in many areas in the UK. In addition, you’ll find a lower crime rate in Ireland than in the UK.
Costs Associated with Moving to Ireland from the UK
The cost of your move to Ireland will vary a lot depending on how much you’re bringing, how quickly you need to move, and whether you’re moving to a city or a smaller town. For most people, the main costs are transport (van or removals), storage (if needed), and setting up a new home (deposit, first month’s rent, and initial bills).
To help you make sure you’ve not missed any hidden costs associated with your move, we’ve put together the checklist below.
Storage while you look for housing
Short-term accommodation (which can add up quickly)
Buying items again if your rental is furnished/unfurnished differently than expected
Pet travel costs if you’re bringing an animal
Insurance (contents, travel, or transit cover)
Can I move to Ireland from the UK?
If you’re a British citizen, then relocating to Ireland is usually quite straightforward. Under the CTA (or Common Travel Area), UK and Irish nationals can live and work in each other’s countries without needing a visa. Before you go, you’ll need to update the relevant UK departments about things like tax, pensions, and any benefits you receive. Brexit won’t affect the CTA rights, so it shouldn’t impact your ability to move to Ireland.
If you live in the UK and plan to move to Ireland but aren’t a British citizen, you’ll likely require a visa. Find out more about immigrating to Ireland if you’re not a British citizen.
Irish Culture
Ireland’s culture is rich, vibrant, and proud. People who move to Ireland will find that the culture is also very social, warm, and welcoming. Some Brits may find the willingness of the Irish to spark up a conversation a bit surprising at first, but they will soon adjust. The Irish tend to be happy to help you with advice and directions, and you’re likely to have no trouble having a conversation with a stranger on a bus or at the pub.
The Irish Pub
The pub is an important part of Irish culture, much as it is in Britain. In each local area, the pub is essentially a foundation for the community. As such, it’s a great idea for you to spend some time researching the pubs in the area to which you’re moving and start spending some time there. This could help you find out more about your new neighbours and events in the area, as well as make new friends.
Irish Art, Music and Literature
In Ireland, art, music, and literature are woven into everything, and you’ll not find a race of people who love stories quite as much as the Irish. From Celtic mythology and legends to 20th-century poetry, Ireland’s stories and literature are rife with age-old symbolism and parables that influence new art consistently.
Traditional Irish music is also still very popular, and something you can often see performed live at the local pub. Traditional music is typically created by instruments associated with Ireland’s heritage, such as the tin whistle, fiddle, harp, uilleann pipes, and the bodhrán, a type of drum.
Sport in Ireland
Just like in the UK, people in Ireland love sports. You’ll find plenty of fans of football, cricket, racing, and rugby, but in addition, the Irish enjoy some traditional sports as well. Hurling, Gaelic football, and camogie are all examples of traditional Irish sports.
Working in Ireland
If you plan to get a job when you move to Ireland, you’ll find the job market overall quite similar to the UK. Although hugely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic like most countries, Ireland has begun to bounce back nicely, and in fact, has one of the quickest-growing economies in Europe.
As you might expect, a wider variety of jobs can be found in larger Irish cities like Dublin, but depending on your industry, you should be able to find a suitable job without struggle.
Quality of Life in Ireland
Ireland, as a country, really values the happiness of its residents. The Irish government now actually tracks how Ireland as a nation is doing using a Well-being Framework that looks beyond the economy to take into account the quality of life, sustainability, and equality.
As a result, Ireland is a place that many people find friendly, outdoorsy, and easy to settle into as a newcomer. Here’s what you should know about the quality of life when moving to Ireland.
Biggest Wins: Community, Culture and the Outdoors
A huge part of the Irish quality of life is the social side. Even in the bigger cities, the energy tends to feel more “small city” than “big capital”, and it’s common to build a routine around local cafés, sports clubs, community groups, and (of course) pubs.
Outside of work, nature is never far away. Coastal walks, national parks, hikes, and weekend road trips are a normal part of life for many people. If you’re moving from the UK, the lifestyle can feel familiar—just with a stronger “get outside” culture once you’re out of the city centre.
The Biggest Challenge: Housing (especially in Dublin)
If there’s one quality-of-life factor that can make or break a move, it’s finding a place to live at the right price. Depending on where you’re looking to live in Ireland, affordability can be a factor.
The RTB/ESRI Rent Index (based on official tenancy registrations) shows that in Q2 2025, the national average monthly rent for new tenancies was €1,731. The county of Dublin averaged €2,230 for new tenancies. Looking at city figures for new tenancies, Dublin City was €2,178, Galway City €1,850, and Cork City €1,666.
If you’re looking to buy, the average house price in cities such as Dublin or Belfast is much lower than what you can expect to pay in British cities such as London, Manchester, or Birmingham.
Schooling in Ireland
For many families, schooling is a big quality-of-life win in Ireland, but it can come with a few “good to know” challenges when you’re moving from the UK.
On the plus side, state education is free, and the system is easy to understand once you’ve seen the structure: 8 years of primary (including junior/senior infants), then post-primary split into Junior Cycle, an optional Transition Year, and Senior Cycle leading to the Leaving Certificate (the main route into higher education).
The main challenges are usually practical rather than academic. School ethos matters more than many UK parents expect. As a result, Irish primary schools have patrons, and most are under Catholic patronage. It’s also worth knowing that Irish is a core subject in most schools, although exemptions are available in certain circumstances.
Cost-wise, tuition may be free, but there can still be “hidden” extras like uniforms, devices, trips, and voluntary contributions, much like in Britain.
When it comes to the quality of education, Ireland generally compares very well with Britain. In the OECD’s PISA 2022 study (which tests 15-year-olds in maths, reading, and science), Ireland scored slightly higher than the UK overall, with the biggest gap in reading. So for many families, school standards are a quality-of-life win, especially if literacy outcomes are a priority.
Class sizes are one of the areas where Ireland can feel notably different, particularly at primary level. Ireland’s average class size for primary schools sits at about 22.2 pupils per class, while the UK sits at 26.4.
As always, the day-to-day experience can still vary a lot by school and area.
Cost of Living in Ireland
Generally speaking, the day-to-day costs of living in Ireland are considered high by European standards, and many individuals moving from the UK may find they need to budget a bit more headroom, especially to start with. This isn’t to say everything is more expensive in Ireland, but you should look ahead in order to plan for some higher outgoings, particularly if you’re relocating to the Dublin area.
Here are a few areas you’re likely to notice a big difference in costs:
Rent & housing: often the biggest surprises, especially in Dublin and other high-demand areas.
Utilities and everyday services: can be comparable, but may come out higher depending on your home and usage.
Eating out: can feel pricey in city centres and tourist-heavy locations.
Cost of Living in Ireland City by City
Like any country, the city in which you live will make a huge difference to your living costs. Here, we’ve broken down the average expected costs (outside of housing, we discuss that in more detail later on in this guide) attributed to some of Ireland’s most popular cities to help give you an idea of the cost breakdown. Cost averages are accurate as of January 2026, according to Numbeo.
As a UK citizen living in Ireland, your access to public healthcare usually comes down to ordinary residence, not nationality. Ordinary residence can be defined as follows:
You’ve been living in Ireland for at least 12 months, or you can show you intend to live in Ireland for at least 12 months.
Citizens Information explains that any person (regardless of nationality) who is accepted by the HSE as ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to public health services—either full eligibility (Category 1) or limited eligibility (Category 2). Many people fall into limited eligibility, where you can access public hospital services but still pay for some everyday care, like GP visits. If your income and circumstances qualify, you can apply for a Medical Card or GP Visit Card.
Safety
Ireland is generally seen as a safe place to live, but, like anywhere, crime patterns vary by area. The CSO’s recorded crime release for Q1 2025 reports that incidents fell in 10 of 14 offence groups year-on-year, while some categories increased (including sexual offences and public order offences).
In general, safety is comparable to that in the UK. Use common sense in big cities and in certain scenarios when extra caution is advisable.
What to Pack vs Ship When Moving to Ireland
Knowing what to bring with you versus what to send separately can save money, avoid delays, and make your first couple of weeks in Ireland far less stressful. As relocation specialists, we help people moving from the UK to Ireland plan the practical details: what to take immediately, what to ship safely, and what to leave until you have a confirmed address.
A good rule of thumb is to pack for your first 7–14 days, then ship the bulky, low-urgency items once your accommodation and delivery arrangements are in place.
Your Checklist for What to Pack and Keep With You During Travel
Day-one essentials
Passport and key documents (driving licence, birth/marriage certificates if relevant, employment contract/offer letter)
Bank cards and some cash
Phone and laptop, plus chargers
Medications, prescriptions, and any medical essentials
7–10 days of clothing (include a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes)
Basic toiletries and any items you don’t want to replace immediately
If you’re moving with children
School/nursery paperwork
A comfort item for travel and bedtime
A small set of familiar snacks for travel day
Valuables and irreplaceable items
Jewellery, watches, small electronics, important keepsakes (keep these with you, not in shipped boxes)
Your Checklist for What to Ship (Removals, Courier, or Freight)
These items are best sent once you have a stable delivery plan (new address, storage, or a trusted contact).
Furniture and larger household items (measure big pieces before you commit)
Kitchen items and non-essential appliances
Books, hobby equipment, sports gear
Seasonal clothing, spare shoes, extra bedding, and towels
Children’s bulkier items (where needed)
Items to double-check before packing
Some goods can be restricted or require specific paperwork (for example, certain foods, medications, and items that fall under weapons or hazardous categories). If you’re unsure, it’s best to check current Irish import rules before you pack to avoid delays or confiscations.
Customs and paperwork (UK to Ireland)
If you’re shipping household goods from the UK to Ireland, customs processes can apply depending on your route and circumstances. In some cases, people relocating may qualify for relief on personal household effects, but the eligibility rules and documentation requirements matter. We can guide you through what typically applies, what information your mover will need, and how to keep the shipment moving smoothly.
Moving Your Pet from the UK to Ireland
If you have a four-legged or winged friend you’re planning to bring with you to Ireland, you’ll want to know about how to safely and legally get your pet into the country.
Thankfully, moving with a dog, cat, or ferret is very doable, but the paperwork and timing can trip people up. With our Pet Transportation service, we help UK-to-Ireland movers plan the process end-to-end (vet timeline, documents, route/arrival point, and common pitfalls) so your pet arrives smoothly and compliantly.
At-a-glance checklist for moving your pet to Ireland
To travel from Great Britain to Ireland, your pet will typically need:
A microchip (this must be done before the rabies vaccination)
A rabies vaccination administered by a vet
The right document for travel
For dogs only: tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment recorded by a vet 24–120 hours (1–5 days) before arrival in Ireland
Where to enter Ireland with your pet
Pets travelling from GB may only enter through designated Travellers’ Points of Entry, where compliance checks can be arranged. These include Dublin Airport/Dublin Port, Rosslare Europort, Cork Airport, Ringaskiddy (Cork) Port, and Shannon Airport.
Speak to our team, and we’ll be happy to help you prepare for moving your pets with you to Ireland.
Moving to Ireland with Bishop’s Move
If there’s a move on the horizon for you, put your trust in Bishop’s Move. We’re proud and longtime members of the British Association of Removers, which is an accreditation you can trust. Find out more about our services for removals to Ireland and get your quote today.
FAQ: Moving to Ireland from the UK
Do British citizens need a visa to live in Ireland?
No. British citizens can live in Ireland without a visa thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA).
Can I work in Ireland as a UK citizen?
Yes. You can take a job, be self-employed, or start a business in Ireland without needing a work permit.
Do I need to register with Irish immigration?
Typically, no. UK citizens aren’t required to register with immigration in the same way many non-EU nationals are.
What documents should I bring when I move?
Bring a valid passport (recommended), proof of address (if you already have it), and documents you’ll need for admin tasks—like your birth certificate, marriage certificate (if relevant), and employment or income evidence.
Will I still be entitled to healthcare in Ireland?
In most cases, yes. If you’re moving to Ireland, under the Common Travel Area, UK citizens living in Ireland can access public services (including healthcare) on the same basis as Irish residents.
How much will it cost to move from the UK to Ireland?
It depends on how much you’re moving, your timeline, and whether you use a removals company or do it yourself. Most people budget for transport/removals, short-term accommodation (if needed), and upfront housing costs like a deposit and first month’s rent.
