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Keep reading for moving costs, checklists, advice, and to know whether or not you need a visa.
Ferry is the most common transport, and it usually takes between 1-3 days, so your belongings will arrive fast. Find below the estimated cost breakdown by household size:
| Household Size | Cost |
| 1-bed house | £1000 – £1400 |
| 3-bed house | £1600 – £2200 |
| 5-bed house | £2600 – £3600 |
Disclaimer. The costs in this table are estimates. The actual moving price may differ due to various factors.
Some extra advice to save costs:
Irish and British citizens can move freely between the countries, so if you plan to return to Ireland, no visa or residency arrangements need to be made. However, you may need to consider:
After living abroad, you’ll be able to access public health services if you intend to or have lived at least for a year in Ireland. You may want to get private health insurance to have a larger coverage.
Read more about health concerns when returning to Ireland on Citizens Information official page.
You will need a Personal Public Service number to access essential services such as benefits, working taxes, healthcare or getting your driver’s license. Depending on your situation, you may already have it.
If you need financial support, you may be eligible for a social welfare payment on your return. More information on Applying for social welfare.
You’ll become a tax resident in Ireland again, meaning you’ll have to start paying taxes such as social insurance, income tax and Universal Social Charge.
For more, keep reading on Working in Ireland after living abroad.
Moving with family means much more responsibility. Start thinking about:
Moving to Dublin can be made easy due to its similar culture and proximity. Here are some essential aspects to follow:
UK residents can travel to Ireland without a visa, even after Brexit. An agreement called the Common Travel Area (CTA), allows citizens from both countries to move, work, and live in either place. However, this doesn’t include non-UK citizen family members.
If you or your family members aren’t UK citizens, you will need to apply for a long-term visa, which can differ depending on your circumstances (moving reason, country, etc.)
This is a vital tip for your move to Dublin if you want to use the healthcare system or earn a salary. We recommend you apply for a PPS number. This unique reference number helps you access social welfare benefits and public services, among other things.
Finding an affordable place to live can be challenging in Dublin, as the country is going through a housing crisis.
According to Selectra, the average rent price in 2024 is €2,300 per month. This is out of reach for many, as it’s almost equivalent to the minimum monthly wage. We recommend that you start searching long before moving.
Since Ireland is part of the EU single currency, it would be important for you to set up a local bank account for your move to Dublin. Why not have a look at some of your banking options below:
Ireland’s green fields come at a price, unfortunately. We advise packing an umbrella and a waterproof jacket as Dublin is prone to 128 rainy days compared to London’s 106 rainy days.
⚠️ Your British driving licence will not be recognised in Ireland, you will have to switch to an Irish license. Your degrees may also be not recognised, so be sure to have them accredited.
Although Dublin has a high cost of living, it is 15% lower than London. Daily expenses are similar but housing prices are lower. Find a breakdown of some of the daily expenses in the table below:
| Category | London | Dublin |
| Coffee | 3.59 £ | 3.33 £ |
| Eggs | 3.31 £ | 3.33 £ |
| Restaurant meal | 18.00 £ | 17.10 £ |
| One-way transport ticket | 2.80 £ | 1.80 £ |
| Basic monthly utilities | 276.67 £ | 229.65 £ |
Source: Numbeo
If you’re still considering why move to Dublin, we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons compared to the UK:
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and remains an economic stronghold of Ireland with many companies, like Google, Facebook and Amazon setting up their headquarters here. As a result, Dublin offers a high standard of living.
Among the key industries are technology, financial services, professional services, life sciences, and arts and recreation. After the economic downturn, the market has become quite competitive.
Due to low corporate tax rates, the city has many opportunities in the IT and financial sectors. Nine of the world’s biggest technology companies have their European or world headquarters based in or just outside Dublin.
It is a great option for those wanting a busy lifestyle. The prices are higher than in the countryside and accommodation is difficult to find, so you’ll need to be patient.
Seapoint and Killniney are situated on the south coast of Dublin. Keep in mind that it’s even more expensive than the city centre.
Howth and Malahide are cheaper places to live as they are further in the north from the city. Their coastal neighbours have great transport links to Dublin.
Ranelagh and Clontarf are popular among expats. Both are 10 minutes from the centre, with great access to public transport. A good option for those who search for lively nightlife.
For families, Ballsbridge and Donnybrook are the most popular. Open spaces such as parks and quiet areas can be found here.
The standard of healthcare in Ireland overall is very good, especially in Dublin. With a two-tier system, you can choose between public and private healthcare. Public healthcare is funded by the government whereas in private healthcare the patient has to pay 100% of the costs. Check out more on our Healthcare in Ireland page.
We invite you to explore the Sirelo website and read the FAQs section below to answer any further moving-related queries!
