Ireland is a safe and welcoming country, with one of the world’s lowest crime rates. The Emerald Isle does experience high rainfall but it’s that rain that makes Ireland’s countryside lush and green. Ireland is attracting more and more international companies to set up inside its shore, particularly tech companies.
If you are considering moving to Ireland, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in Ireland: –
Quick Irish Facts:
- Population: 5,100,000 (2022 estimate)
- Official Language:Ireland has two official languages – English and Irish, but the majority of people who live in Ireland speak English. French, Spanish, German, Polish, Arabic and Italian are also spoken by immigrants to the country.
- GDP Per Capita:€103,206.60
- Nature in Ireland: Ireland really is the Emerald Isle. No matter where you go, it’s lush and green. The coastline is spectular, the villages quaint and there’s always a pub to shelter in on a rainy day. The rolling countryside invites hiking and picnics. The cities and towns are full of character and history, and pubs serving Ireland’s national brew – Guinness.
- Currency: Euro (€). As of September 2022, £1 = $1.09, €1 = $0.97, $1 SAR 1= $0.27, $1 AUD = $0.65
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Ireland
The table below shows sample international container shipping rates to Ireland from other countries around the world.
2. Ireland Housing Costs
Ireland has many different types of property and prices to match. This includes stately homes, detached houses, cottages, terraced houses and flats. However, the most expensive houses are located in South County Dublin, and the cheapest houses are mostly found in the west of the country, in Roscommon, Sligo, and Mayo.
Monthly Rental Prices in Ireland
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: €980 – €2,100
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: €800– €1,800
- 3 bedroom apartment in City Centre: €1,600 – €3,900
- 3 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: €1,200 – €3,000
- Price per square meter to buy in City Centre: €2,200 – €9,000
- Price per square meter to buy outside city: €1,950 – €6,000
Irish Housing Cost Comparison
This is how rents in Ireland compare with other countries around the globe.
The United Kingdom is 34.86% cheaper
The United States is 14.48% more expensive
Australia is 17.49% cheaper
Singapore is 62.39% more expensive
France is 43.04% cheaper
UAE is 18.30% cheaper
Spain is 51.74% cheaper
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flatmate: iRoommates, Housing Anywhere, ie, Daft.ie, Myhome.ie.
- Different regions – different prices. The housing cost is different from region to region and city to city in every country. Ireland is no different. Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford, Mayo, and Sligo are counties in Ireland that have the cheapest properties. The most expensive houses can be found in South County Dublin, South Dublin City, Wicklow, and North Dublin City.
3. Irish Food, Grocery, and Restaurant Costs
Seventy five percent of Ireland’s food production is milk. This is followed by beef and pork. Obviously, with its long coastline, seafood also plays a large part in stocking the supermarket shelves.
When it comes to restaurants, they offer a wide variety of traditional Irish dishes while serving other foods from all over the globe. There are excellent restaurants in every city/town and you’ll also find great fare in village pubs and restaurants.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: €10 – €30
- Takeout Coffee: €2.20 – €4.50
- Bottle of Coke: €30 – €300
- 1L of milk: €75 – €1.70
- Loaf of Bread: €75 – €3.00
- 12 Eggs: €68 – €4.00
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: €00 – €12.00
- 1kg Beef: €00 – €15.00
- 1kg Apples: €00 – €4.00
- 1kg White Rice: €90 – €2.80
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major countries in the world.
- UK restaurants are 6.85% cheaper, and groceries are 15.02% cheaper than in Ireland.
- United States restaurants are 6.73% more expensive, and groceries are 39.86% more expensive than in Ireland.
- Australian restaurants are 9.06%cheaper, and groceries are 6.31% more expensive than in Ireland.
- Singapore restaurants are 14.14% cheaper, and groceries are 34.07% more expensive than in Ireland.
- French restaurants are 4.79%cheaper, and groceries are 17.09% most expensive than in Ireland.
- UAE restaurants are 14.80% cheaper, and groceries are 6.24% cheaper than in Ireland.
- Spanish restaurants are 26.38% cheaper, and groceries are 26.77% cheaper than in Ireland.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants, and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Ireland has am excellent range of food to suit every palate and culture. Fresh foods is freely available directly from farms or farmers markets.and there are many farmers and markets. Popular supermarkets in Ireland are Supervalu, Lidl, and Tesco.
- Find Cheap Eats:There are some places where you can experience tasting dishes at low prices, even in Dublin. Have a look at the following sites for suggestions – Trip Advisor, Ireland, Always Travel Plannning, Tangcafé, Lovinspoons, Stage Door Café,
4. Irish Alcohol Costs
Alcohol consumption in Ireland is very high and plays a major role in Irish social culture. The pub is still the focal point of life in cities, towns and villages.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €00 – €6.75
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €00 – €6.50
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €60 – €3.50
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €1.65 – €5.00
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €8.00 – €15.00
How to drink for less in Ireland
- Keep an eye on the local papers and flyers for cheap drinks, either in supermarkets or bars, clubs, and restaurants.
- Many bars and restaurants have Happy Hour specials after work, usually from 4 pm to 7 pm. Some restaurants allow you to bring your own alcohol. You can look on student websites to see where they go to drink. Have a look at the following sites for more tips on where to go to save money on a night out – Yelp, Four Square, and MTL Blog.
5. Ireland Transportation Fares
Ireland has an efficient transportation system, which includes trains, trams, buses, planes, boats and ferries. Buses are definitely the main form of public transport used in Ireland. The rail networks links the major cities – Dublin, Cork, Derry, Limerick and Galway. Dublin has a tram system in the city.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- Adult Single– €2.00– €3.60
- Monthly season ticket, unlimited – €60– €180
- Taxi Start (normal tariff) – €3.80– €6.00
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff) – €1.14– €2.50
How to save money on public transport
- Use unlimited travel packages – a day/24 hours of unlimited travel -€10, €19.50 for three days/72 hours; and €40 for seven days/168 hours.
- Cycling is an option in Ireland, and there are safe cycle lanes and many rides in and around the cities.
- Walking in and around cities.
6. Cost of Internet in Ireland
Internet prices in Ireland are high compared to their neighbors in Europe and other countries worldwide.
Here are some sample internet prices from August 2022:
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym, and Leisure
Winters in Ireland are cold and wet, with average daily temperatures of between 5C and 8C. Frost and snow are regular visitors during winter. Summer temperatures average between 18C and 20C and you can guarantee there will still be some rain. June is the driest month and December and January are the wettest months, with around 130mm of rain each month. The sunniest part of Ireland is the southeast coast.
Below are some clothing prices with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: €30 – €100
- Summer Dress: €18– €59
- Running Shoes (Trainers): €50– €120
- Business Shoes: €50 – €130
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): €59
- Deodorant: €3.81
- Shampoo: €5.88
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €2.72
- Gym membership: €30– €80 per month
- Movie (cinema) ticket: €9.00 – €15.00
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Ireland
Ireland has a good road network. That said, if you’re not used to single track roads you may struggle in the rural areas if reserving isn’t your forte.
If you are a visitor to Ireland, you can drive on any country’s driving licence outside the EU/EEA for up to 1 year. If you take normal residence in Ireland, it is time to either apply for a driving licence or exchange your driving licence.
As a vehicle owner, you must register your vehicle in Ireland within 30 days at a National Car Test (NCT) center and it must be insured. Insurance costs vary considerably, so it’s definitely worth doing your homework rather than committing to the first company you find.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Ireland:
- Volkswagen Golf:€30,391
- 1 liter (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):€1.70 – €2.16
- Other fees (if any):The average cost of owning and running a car in Ireland is €10,691.12 per annum.
Source: Numbeo, AA Ireland
Ways to save money driving in Ireland
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try, Carpoolworld,Uber, Liftshare, and Rideshare.
- Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Lynkand Ireland by taxi, Satellite Taxis.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Ireland? Then check here:
9. Taxes in Ireland
Income tax in Ireland is based on residence status. It means if you are a resident and domiciled in Ireland, you have to pay income tax on all your income from sources worldwide. For more details, check here.
A standard rate of VAT in Ireland is 23%, but it ranges from 23 – 0% based on the nature of the product. Learn which goods attract VAT by clicking here.
If you own your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area you live in and the size of your property. Learn more about property tax in Ireland at this government website.
10. Flight Costs from Ireland
If you do make a move to Ireland, here’s how much it will cost approximately to fly to other major world cities from Dublin.
Based on the lowest one-way fares from Skyscanner as of late 2022:
- London: €30
- Paris: €35
- New York: €250
- Los Angeles: €390
- Dubai: €310
- Sydney: €705
- Melbourne: €826
- Cape Town: €440
- Hong Kong: €659
Other Irish Relocation Tips
The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Ireland, but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Ireland Alone
Moving is always stressful, but moving on your own can be exceptionally difficult. Thankfully Ireland is a country that is very friendly towards the people of other nations, and it is a very safe country. Here are a few tips about settling in Ireland.
- Meetups:Ireland has many Meetup groups covering a wide range of activities like dancing, book clubs, gatherings, and playing games.
- Attend local events: There is always something going on in Ireland, and many activities are free. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Discovering Ireland and Eventbrite.
12. Moving to Ireland with a Family
Ireland is an extremely family-friendly destination and a very kid-friendly country. There are many family activities, water sports, hiking, fishing, museums, historical sites and playgrounds.
- New parents (or parents to be):Check out Mommypages and HSE Live for advice, courses, and ways to meet other parents or parents-to-be.
- Live in a family-friendly area:Everywhere in Ireland is family friendly. Find the best region for you in Ireland property guide.
- Find things to do with the kids:Ireland is a great safe place to enjoy with your kids. Look at the following website for inspiration – Your days out, Day out with kids, Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet.
13. Moving to Ireland for Work
Moving to a new city for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make a move.
Ireland is one fastest growing economies in Europe. When it comes to Ireland’s job market, the service sector is dominant, and job opportunities are available in major industries, including hospitality, tourism, and technology. Apart from that, Ireland houses many multinational companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:Salaries in Ireland depend on the region and industry or field you choose to work in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to earn to make a move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Talent, My salary, and Payscale.
- How to find work: If you want a job lined up before moving to Ireland but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Working abroad, ie, Indeed, Linkedin, and Jobs Ireland.
14. Moving to Ireland from Australia
Aussies love to live in Ireland mainly because of the beauty of nature and the friendliness of Irish people. Many Aussies have Irish roots which also attracts them to the Emerald Isle. If you are thinking of moving from Australia to Ireland, here are a few things to consider.
- Size comparison:Australia is approximately 90 times bigger than Ireland, and when comparing the population of these countries, 20.3 million fewer people live in Ireland.
- Join expat groups:Meetup, and Internations offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Ireland.
15. Moving to Ireland from the United States
Approximately 15,000 US citizens live in Ireland. Many Americans have Irish heritage and they enjoy seeking their roots. If you’re considering joining them, here are a few things to consider.
- Size: the USA is 13,893% larger than Ireland, and 327.5 million more people live in the USA.
- Expat groups:Meeting up with fellow Americans helps the moving process. Link up through sites such as Internations and Meetup.
16. Moving to Ireland from the United Kingdom
The UK is the closest neighbour to Ireland and the most important partner economically. Around 103,113 Britspeople live in Ireland. So, if you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: the UK is about 3.5 times larger than Ireland, and 60.6 million people live in the United Kingdom, more than in Ireland.
- Expat groups:If you want to get together with others from the UK who enjoy everything Ireland offers, then go to Internations and Meetup.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If you want to start pricing out how much it will cost to move to Ireland, you can begin by comparing moving quotes here.
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