Moving to Ireland

Moving Guide

Your Practical Guide to Relocating to Ireland

Visa & Residence

Navigating the visa and residence requirements for Ireland largely depends on your nationality. If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you generally have the right to live and work in Ireland without a visa. However, you will need to register your presence if you plan to stay long-term.

For non-EU/EEA citizens, a visa is typically required. The most common routes for obtaining residency include:

• Employment Permit: If you have secured a job offer from an Irish employer, they may be able to sponsor you for an employment permit. There are different types of permits depending on your occupation and salary.
• Family Reunification: If you have a family member who is an Irish citizen or resident, you may be eligible to apply for a family reunification visa.
• Study Visa: If you plan to pursue higher education in Ireland, you will need to apply for a student visa.
• Investor and Entrepreneur Schemes: For individuals looking to invest in or establish a business in Ireland.
• Retired Persons of Independent Means: A less common route for those who can financially support themselves without working.

It is crucial to verify the most up-to-date requirements and application processes directly with official Irish government immigration and naturalisation websites. Requirements can change, and specific circumstances will dictate the exact documentation needed.

Housing & Rental

Finding suitable housing in Ireland, particularly in major cities like Dublin, Cork, or Galway, can be competitive. It requires patience and proactive searching.

• How to Find Housing: The primary method is through online property portals. Estate agents also list properties, and it can be beneficial to register your interest directly with local agencies. Networking and social media groups for expats can sometimes yield leads, especially for temporary accommodation.
• Typical Rental Process: Once you find a property of interest, you'll typically need to submit an application, often including references (from previous landlords or employers) and proof of funds. Viewings are common, and for popular properties, there may be multiple applicants.
• Deposits: A security deposit is standard, usually equivalent to one month's rent, but can sometimes be more. This is held by the landlord or a third-party scheme and should be returned at the end of your tenancy, provided the property is left in good condition. You will also typically pay one month's rent in advance.
• Temporary vs. Long-Term: Many people opt for temporary accommodation (short-term rentals, Airbnb, guesthouses) upon arrival to give themselves time to find a long-term rental. This allows you to view properties in person and get a feel for different areas. Long-term leases are typically for 12 months, with options to renew.

What Affects the Cost of Your Move

The total cost of relocating to Ireland can vary significantly based on several key factors:

• Volume of Goods: The more items you need to move, the higher the cost. This is often calculated by cubic meterage.
• Distance: The origin country's distance from Ireland will directly impact shipping costs, whether by sea or air freight.
• Season: Peak moving seasons (e.g., summer months) can sometimes lead to higher demand and potentially higher prices for moving services.
• Access: The ease of access at both your current residence and your new home in Ireland (e.g., stairs, narrow streets, parking availability) can affect labour time and specialist equipment needs.
• Extra Services: Additional services such as professional packing and unpacking, specialist item handling (pianos, artwork), storage solutions, or customs clearance assistance will add to the overall cost.

For an accurate estimate tailored to your specific needs, it is always recommended to request a free, no-obligation quote from a reputable relocation service.

Timeline & Packing Tips

A well-organised timeline is essential for a smooth relocation. Here's a general checklist for 4-8 weeks before your move:

8 Weeks Before:

• Declutter: Start sorting through your belongings. Decide what to sell, donate, discard, or take with you. This is the biggest opportunity to reduce your moving costs.
• Research: Finalise your housing search, research schools if applicable, and familiarise yourself with Irish culture and services.
• Documents: Begin gathering essential documents (passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic records, medical records, financial statements). Get copies and digital backups.
• Request Quotes: Contact relocation companies for moving quotes.

4-6 Weeks Before:

• Notify Landlord: Give formal notice to your current landlord.
• Book Movers: Confirm your chosen relocation company and moving date.
• Utilities & Services: Start notifying utility providers (electricity, gas, internet, water) of your move-out date. Research and plan for setting up utilities in Ireland.
• Medical: Arrange for transfer of medical records and prescriptions. Research healthcare options in Ireland.
• Banking: Begin researching Irish banking options and consider opening an account remotely if possible.

2 Weeks Before:

• Change of Address: Notify banks, insurance companies, subscriptions, and postal services of your new address.
• Packing Essentials: Pack an "essentials" box with items you'll need immediately upon arrival (toiletries, medications, important documents, a few changes of clothes, chargers).
• Valuables: Keep all important documents and valuables with you, not with the movers.

Packing Tips:

• Label Everything: Clearly label boxes with their contents and the room they belong in.
• Fragile Items: Use plenty of packing material for fragile items and clearly mark boxes as "FRAGILE."
• Disassemble Furniture: If possible, disassemble furniture to save space and protect it during transit. Keep all screws and small parts in a clearly labelled bag attached to the furniture.

For a seamless move to Ireland, request a free quote on relocation123.com today.

Visas, immigration & documents

Moving to this country often involves visas, residence permits, document translation/legalization and customs paperwork. Our verified partners handle the move itself; for visa or immigration help, send the request below and we'll point you the right way.

• Residence permit / visa (work, study, family)
• Document translation & apostille
• Customs clearance for personal effects
• Travel & goods insurance

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Customs & Import Rules

Moving to Ireland: Your Essential Customs & Import Guide

Relocating to Ireland is an exciting adventure! To ensure a smooth transition for your belongings, understanding Irish customs and import regulations is crucial. This guide provides clear, concise information to help you navigate the process.

If you're relocating as a new resident from outside the EU

If you're moving your household goods and personal effects to Ireland from a non-EU country, you may be eligible for duty-free import under a Transfer of Residence (TOR). This applies to used items that have been in your possession and use for at least six months prior to your move and are intended for your continued use, not for resale. You must have resided in your country of origin for at least one year and plan to establish permanent residence in Ireland.

What you'll need

• Irish Customs C&E Form 1076 (printed copies)
• Legible inventory in English under your name
• Copy of your Passport
• Utility bills, credit card statements, or bank statements for each quarter of the last 12 months before moving to Ireland, showing day-to-day living residence abroad (in English or with a brief translation)
• Proof of sale/disposal of property or cessation of rental agreement abroad (in English or with a brief translation)
• Proof of cessation of employment abroad (in English or with a brief translation)
• Proof of acquisition of property in Ireland (e.g., lease/rental agreement or a letter from a friend/relative if living with them)
• Proof of employment in Ireland
• One utility bill in Ireland (if available)

Good to know

• You may import household goods/personal effects up to 6 months prior to your Transfer of Residence and for up to 1 year after.
• Alcohol, new items, and tools of trade (even if used) are generally not allowed duty-free under a Transfer of Residence.
• Irish Customs may request additional documents (e.g., marriage certificate, flight itinerary) to approve your TOR.
• TOR applications for goods arriving at Dublin Port, Rosslare Port, Dublin Airport, or Shannon Airport must be submitted two weeks prior to shipment arrival.

If you're relocating as a new resident from within the EU

For household goods and personal effects moving from within another EU member state, no customs clearance is typically needed.

Sending goods to a secondary residence from a non-EU country

If you are sending used household goods and personal effects to a relative in Ireland, and you are not relocating yourself, these items will be subject to VAT and duties. This is because you are not transferring your residence to Ireland.

What you'll need

• Customs value inventory list to determine VAT & Duty amounts
• PPS number
• Freight invoice estimate

Good to know

• All goods are subject to VAT at a rate of 23% of their value.
• Duty rates can vary from month to month, typically between 10%-25%.

Diplomatic moves

Diplomats are generally eligible for duty-free entry of their removal goods.

What you'll need

• Copy of Passport
• Letter from the Embassy on headed paper
• Inventory List in English
• Letter granted from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs Protocol Section
• Freight details

Good to know

• The Embassy in the host country needs to apply to the Department of Foreign Affairs Protocol Division in Dublin for duty-free entry.
• It's important to know the marks and numbers of packages, the ship's name, date, and port of arrival.
• Alcohol for personal consumption by diplomats is allowed in free of charge, but consult your Embassy for potential quotas.

Inherited belongings from a non-EU country

If you are importing inherited goods from a non-EU country, specific documentation is required.

What you'll need

• Form C&E 1080 completed by importer
• Copy of the Will of the deceased and any certified relevant extract, or copy of Probate from the Court if the deceased died intestate (English translation needed if not in English)
• Copy death certificate
• Inventory list in English
• A signed letter confirming the situation and relationship between the deceased person and inheritance person, addressed to Irish Customs Revenue

Good to know

• Irish Customs has the authority to request any other additional documents. The final decision rests with customs.

Bringing new furniture, household items, presents, and souvenirs from a non-EU country

New items that have not been in your possession and use for the required periods (typically six months for household goods) are generally subject to customs duty and VAT.

What you'll need

• Customs valued inventory list to determine VAT & Duty amounts
• Freight Invoice
• PPS number

Good to know

• These articles, if included in a household removal, are liable for customs duty and VAT and must be separately declared on the import declaration (Transfer of Residence Form N°1076).

Works of art and antiques from a non-EU country

Antiques and works of art imported into the Republic of Ireland for re-sale are treated as commercial imports and will be subject to Duty/VAT based on the circumstances.

Articles of gold or silver plate from a non-EU country

These items can be imported duty-free if for private use and not for sale or exchange.

What you'll need

• Form N°. CU.56.

Good to know

• A statutory declaration must be made by the importer before a Commissioner for Oaths on Form N°. CU.56, confirming the articles are for private use.
• This regulation does not apply to electroplated goods.

Bringing special items

Vehicles

From outside the EU: You may be eligible for duty-free entry if the vehicle has been in your possession and substantially used by you abroad for at least six months prior to your transfer to Ireland. The vehicle cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of for one year after the date of importation.

• Customs C&E Form 1076
• Proof of evidence living abroad and moving to Ireland (as mentioned in the "If you're relocating as a new resident from outside the EU" section)
• Copy purchase invoice
• Original Vehicle Title certificate showing owner’s name, engine, and chassis number
• Current insurance certificate or copy of insurance over 6 months old
• VRT4 Form (Cars Only)
• VRT5 form (Motorbikes only)

From another EU member state: Duty-free entry if the vehicle has been in your possession and substantially used by you abroad for over six months. You must also have lived outside Ireland for over twelve months and provide documentary evidence of your stay abroad.

• VRT/TOR Form
• Documentary proof that vehicle has been in the owner's possession and use abroad for over six months.

Good to know: Motorcycles and automobiles may only be imported when you are in Ireland. Vehicles not covered under Transfer of Residence conditions are subject to sales tax and Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). To ascertain the amount payable, you'll need to provide: Name, Make, Model, Year, Type, engine capacity, petrol/diesel, length of time owned, and invoice value.

Pets

Any domestic cat or dog brought from a country or territory other than Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man may not be landed in Ireland unless specific conditions are met.

• An import licence is obtained by the customer prior to arrival of pets and animals into Ireland from the Department of Agriculture, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 – Ireland (Tel: 353 1 67 89 011).
• OR the pet has a Pet Passport issued under European Parliament regulations and complies with its requirements.

Restricted & prohibited items

Certain items are either restricted or prohibited from import into Ireland.

• Prohibited: Narcotics, pornography, explosives, meat and meat products, live plants, live or dead animals (birds & poultry), endangered species, hay & straw (even if used in packing), lithium batteries (air or sea).
• Restricted: Firearms require a temporary importation license prior to arrival. Upon arrival, firearms will be examined by customs and surrendered to the Police, who will issue a license to hold the firearm in the Republic of Ireland.

Alcohol & tobacco

When shipped by air or sea cargo, alcohol allowances do NOT apply. Alcohol is subject to VAT and Duty charges; there is no alcohol allowance under Transfer of Residence with duty-free status. Alcoholic beverages are vatable and dutiable. Alcohol brought in by diplomats for personal consumption is allowed free of charge, but diplomats should consult their Embassy for potential quotas.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Transfer of Residence (TOR)?
A Transfer of Residence allows you to import your used household goods and personal effects duty-free when moving to Ireland, provided you meet specific residency criteria in your previous country and intend to become a permanent resident in Ireland.

Can I import new items duty-free under TOR?
Generally, no. New furniture, household items, presents, and souvenirs that have not been in your possession and use for the required period (typically six months) are liable for customs duty and VAT.

How far in advance should I submit my TOR application?
For goods arriving at Dublin Port, Rosslare Port, Dublin Airport, or Shannon Airport, TOR applications should be submitted two weeks prior to the arrival of your shipment.

Are tools of trade included in duty-free household goods?
No, even used tools of trade are not allowed duty-free under a Transfer of Residence.

What if I'm only sending used household goods to a relative and not relocating myself?
These goods will be subject to VAT and duties, as you are not transferring your residence to Ireland.

Can I sell my imported vehicle shortly after arriving in Ireland?
If imported duty-free under TOR, the vehicle cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of for one year after the date of importation.

For personalized assistance with your move to Ireland and detailed customs advice, please contact relocation123.com.

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