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Moving to Ireland from the UK

Costs, Culture and Advice

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Before you can enjoy everything life in Ireland has to offer, you’ll need to move there. So, read our guide on removals to Ireland for moving costs, an essential checklist, and tips. With a little help, you will be enjoying life in the Emerald Isle before you know it!

5 Facts to Know Before Moving to Ireland

  1. Population: 5 million, 41% of them live in the Greater Area of Dublin.
  2. Language: Irish and English are the official languages.
  3. Currency: Euro (€) 
  4. Standard of Living: High standard of living with housing, goods, and services being more expensive than in many other European countries.
  5. Weather: Mild and wet, with warm summers and cold winters.

Cost of Removals from the UK to Ireland

The cost of moving to Ireland can vary between £1,000 and £3,600. Depending on the distance, method of transport or other factors such as the volume of your belongings. As the UK’s next-door neighbour, removals to Ireland are about as cheap as it gets in terms of international moving costs.

The table below shows estimates of the cost of removals from London to Ireland, via road, for various-sized properties.

Property SizeAverage Cost
1-bedroom house£1,000 – £1,400
2-bedroom house£1,200 – £1,700
3-bedroom house£1,600 – £2,400
4-bedroom house£2,100 – £2,900
5-bedroom house£2,600 – £3,600

Disclaimer: The figures outlined are merely estimates. The only way to get accurate prices for removals to Ireland is to request free removal quotes.

Fortunately, due to Ireland’s proximity to the UK, the delivery time for your belongings can vary from 1 to 7 days depending on the volume and the moving company you choose.

Cheapest Way to Move to Ireland

Sea freight is usually the cheapest way to ship belongings. However, it’s slower than air freight. Think about your priorities – do you need them quickly? Or you could wait longer?

In this table, we summarized the characteristics of each method of transport:

Sea freight…

 Is cost-efficient
 Is slower
 Has bigger capacity
 Low environmental impact
 Is for non-urgent shipments

Air Freight...

 Is expensive
 Is faster
 The capacity is limited
 Is very reliable

💡Consider using a shared container to save some money. As the name indicates, your furniture will be shipped with other people’s belongings and you’ll only pay for the space you take.

International Removals UK to Ireland

Are you moving to Ireland from the UK? We got it! Check out the best removal companies to Ireland specialising in UK to Ireland relocations. Read reviews, compare services and make an informed decision to choose the right fit for you.

Are you planning on moving to Ireland? Check out the top removal companies.

Removal Quotes to Ireland

If you would like help from a removal company and don’t want to spend hours finding one, then just click below and receive free removal quotes!

Need Help with a Removal to Ireland?
Choose the size of your move and receive free removal quotes!

Emigrate to Ireland from the UK

Due to the Common Travel Area (CTA), UK citizens are still free to move and work in the Republic of Ireland. You can find more information about it on the UK government page or Citizens Information.

✍️However, if you happen to have a partner or family member who is neither a UK, EU or EEA citizen, they are not guaranteed the right to move to Ireland and will need to apply for a visa. You can read more information on the Irish Immigration Service page.

How to Move to Ireland from the UK: Checklist

To ensure you don’t forget anything, we have compiled this moving to Ireland checklist:

Before You Go to Ireland

  • Important documents: Gather all your paperwork such as your passport, birth certificate and drivers license along with any other vital documents and make sure to store it in a safe, accessible place.
  • Find an International Removal Company: Start by checking out our list of movers to Ireland and requesting quotes to get the best deal with time.
  • Pack: When packing for house removals to Ireland from the UK, you can never start too early! Check out our packing to move house guide for expert tips.
  • Moving Your Furniture: By using a volume calculator you’ll be able to estimate how much space you’ll need for your belongings and choose the right method of transport. You can also get more tips by checking out our page on furniture removal.

Estimate My Volume

  • Moving Pets: There are some basic requirements for moving a pet to Ireland.
    • It must have a microchip and a pet passport/health certificate
    • It must be vaccinated against rabies and treated for tapeworms

✍️If you still have doubts, you can find more information on The Citizens Information website.

  • Importing a Car from the UK to Ireland: Vehicles can be imported to Ireland duty-free under certain requirements.
    • You have owned the vehicle for more than 6 months
    • The automobile is not sold, rented, or disposed of within 12 months of importation
    • You are in Ireland once when the shipping takes place

✍️Still concerned? You can read the Irish government page on importing a car to Ireland for more in-depth information.

Once you get to Ireland

  • PPS Number: To be an upstanding, tax-paying member of society, you’ll need to apply for a PPS number when you arrive in Ireland.
  • Healthcare: The system functions very similarly to the UK, with a public healthcare option funded by the state. Not all the costs will be covered, and thus private health insurance is a common option to cover bills. Check our page to find the best health insurance companies in Ireland and compare their services.

  • Driving Licence: You can drive in Ireland with a UK licence but beware that you will need to exchange it for an Irish license within a year.

✍️Still need more information? Our general page about moving abroad page will surely do the trick.

Living in Ireland: Costs and Lifestyle

The following section outlines essential information on living in Ireland for you to better understand life on the Emerald Isle:

Cost of Living in Ireland

According to Numbeo, consumer prices (including rent) in Ireland are 19.8% higher than in England. Check out the following table comparing the common cost of living metrics between both countries:

To better illustrate this to you, before you commit to moving to Ireland, check out the following table which compares the common average cost of living expenses between the UK and Ireland.

Living in Ireland vs. the UK

ExpenseUKIreland
Monthly city centre 1-bedroom apartment rent£750£1,097
City centre property price/m²£4,187£3,788
Cappuccino£2.75£2.86
0.5L of draught beer£3.60£4.50
12 eggs£1.95£2.51
1L of gasoline£1.26£1.27

Culture Facts from Ireland

Although there are several cultural similarities between the UK and Ireland, most things will be different.

🍺 Pub culture is more than just drinking. Pubs are where people gather to play music, bond with family, celebrate milestones, and socialise.

🛐 Religion also has a significant impact in Ireland, affecting laws and healthcare. Awareness of religious undertones in fundamental aspects of Irish culture is important.

👥 People are open and close-knit. The Irish are curious and like to know their neighbours. They often keep track of major events in your life and may comment on them.

Important Things to Keep in Mind: Although relations between the two countries are peaceful now there should be some cultural sensitivity when it comes to talking about Anglo-Irish relations.

Find out Stephen’s moving experience and the whole process he followed to move in Ireland.

Housing in Ireland

Currently Ireland is going through a housing crisis due to multiple factors, such as the infrastructure shortage, lack of investment in social housing and planning restrictions.

The average housing costs in Ireland are as follows:

  • For rent, it can vary between €1,700 and €2,500
  • For buying, the average can go from €395,000 to €675,000

Overall, this is a significant increase from previous years. Property prices in Ireland are slightly higher than in the UK, with rent prices estimated to be almost 20% more.

Buying a House

When buying a house, you must go through a solicitor to make the contract, including the finer details like whether fixtures and fittings are included in the price.

A deposit for a house in Ireland tends to be around 3% of the total price of the property.

As we were saying, bear in mind that the global recession hit Ireland very hard. It is very hard to secure a mortgage in Ireland, often even if you have a good credit rating.

Renting a House

In Dublin, the average rent costs start at €1,400/month for a 1-bedroom apartment. However, if you want to live closer to the city center then the costs will go up.

Rental contracts can be set up in a fixed or periodic term. Periodic contracts are for an indefinite amount of time and are based on an informal oral agreement while short-term contracts tend to last from 6 months to a year.

Work in Ireland

With a strong economy and low unemployment rate, Ireland makes it a good place to work. What are some benefits?

  • As the country of many multinational companies, it offers high and competitive salaries that go around €45,000/year.
  • You’ll likely find a job easily, as the unemployment rate lowered to 3.9% on 2023.
  • Good work-life balance

If you are still in search of a job, explore the following portals:

Want to learn more about it and what differences exist between working in Ireland and the UK? Keep reading on our page below.

Education in Ireland

Despite there being several similarities with the UK system, there are also several fundamental differences. This handy table will give you a quick overview of how the education system works in Ireland:

Level/Age/RequiermentWhat to know
Preschool (3-5 Optional)A government-funded scheme offers free education and care for the first years.
Primary School (6-12 Mandatory)Child-centred
Secondary School (12-18 Mandatory)It starts one year later than the UK. Divided into Junior ages 12-15 and Senior ages 16-18.
University (18+ Optional)EU Students don’t need a visa and can benefit from the Free Fees Initiative

Non-EU Students will face costs from €10,000 – €50,000.

Ready to Move to Ireland?

If you have a thirst to know more as you move to the land of Saints and Scholars, feel free to quench it by reading the great articles linked below and checking the FAQ section. Happy reading and good luck moving!

Frequently asked questions

Can I Move to Ireland from the UK after Brexit?

How Much Does It Cost to Move to Ireland?

Is Ireland Paying You to Move There?