Ireland

14 allergens must be declared Requirement National

Prepacked food must show each of the 14 listed allergens in the ingredients list, highlighted. Cereal and nut names are highlighted by specific name.

Source: FSAI — Labelling: allergens (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Restaurants and takeaways must give allergen information in writing Requirement National

For non-prepacked food, information must be in English (or Irish and English), easy to find, linked to the named dish. A QR code alone is not enough.

Source: FSAI — Labelling: allergens (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

National average rent, new tenancies Estimate National

Mix-adjusted standardised average for tenancies that began in the quarter and were registered with the RTB; all property types.

EUR 1,839 month (as of 2026-Q1)

Source: RTB — Rent Index Q1 2026 (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-04-24; Government or public body)

Dublin (county) rent, new tenancies Estimate Dublin county

Dublin City is EUR 2,301 a month in the same index. A city figure is not a national average.

EUR 2,335 month (as of 2026-Q1)

Source: RTB — Rent Index Q1 2026 (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-04-24; Government or public body)

Cork City rent, new tenancies Estimate Cork City

Cork County as a whole is EUR 1,678.

EUR 1,903 month (as of 2026-Q1)

Source: RTB — Rent Index Q1 2026 (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-04-24; Government or public body)

Galway City rent, new tenancies Estimate Galway City

Galway County as a whole is EUR 1,718.

EUR 2,004 month (as of 2026-Q1)

Source: RTB — Rent Index Q1 2026 (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-04-24; Government or public body)

Limerick City rent, new tenancies Estimate Limerick City

Limerick County as a whole is EUR 1,744.

EUR 1,921 month (as of 2026-Q1)

Source: RTB — Rent Index Q1 2026 (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-04-24; Government or public body)

Upfront payment cap Requirement National

A tenant cannot be required to pay more than two months' rent upfront (deposit plus advance rent), for tenancies created from 9 August 2021. Students in student-specific tenancies can opt out.

Source: Citizens Information — Looking for a flat or house to rent (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-07-16; Government or public body)

Landlords must register tenancies with the RTB Requirement National

Registration is annual. Renting a room in the landlord's own home is not covered by the landlord and tenant legislation; a self-contained flat is.

Source: Citizens Information — Looking for a flat or house to rent (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-07-16; Government or public body)

Common rental scams Editorial National

Landlord claims to be abroad and asks for a deposit; one property shown to many people; fake keys. Inspect in person and avoid cash, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.

Source: Citizens Information — Looking for a flat or house to rent (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-07-16; Government or public body)

Getting electricity connected or switching supplier Requirement National

Choose a licensed supplier (CRU list), then give ESB Networks your MPRN and the supplier name. Keep your MPRN and a meter reading for switching. You may cancel within 14 days if you signed by phone or online, 30 days if sold at the door. Check for early-exit charges on fixed terms.

Source: Citizens Information — Electricity: getting connected or switching (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2025-10-01; Government or public body)

Utility complaints route Requirement National

Complain in writing to the supplier (billing, switching) or ESB Networks (meters, outages) first; then the CRU complaint service (1800 404 404) or the Small Claims Procedure.

Source: Citizens Information — Electricity: getting connected or switching (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2025-10-01; Government or public body)

Rent review cap, private tenancies, from 1 March 2026 Requirement National

Rent can be reviewed once every 12 months and rise by the lower of 2% or CPI. New apartment complexes whose construction started on or after 10 June 2025 can rise by CPI alone. Tenancies created from 1 March 2026 may reset to market rent between tenancies (with exceptions) and once every 6 years; private tenancies created before 1 March 2026 keep the annual cap and cannot reset to market rent.

2 percent annual cap, or CPI if lower (as of 2026-03-01)

Applies to: Private tenancies

Source: RTB — Setting and reviewing private rents from 1 March 2026 (page modified 24 February 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-02-24; Government or public body)

Rent Pressure Zone first-review exception Requirement Areas newly designated as Rent Pressure Zones

In areas that became Rent Pressure Zones within the last 2 years, the first review can happen 24 months after the rent was last set or reviewed; reviews then follow every 12 months.

Applies to: Tenancies in those areas

Source: RTB — Setting and reviewing private rents from 1 March 2026 (page modified 24 February 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-02-24; Government or public body)

Student-specific accommodation rules Requirement National

The system also covers student-specific accommodation. Reviews are every 12 months at the lower of 2% or CPI (CPI alone for new complexes started on or after 10 June 2025). Market reset for this accommodation is allowed once every 3 years from 1 March 2029. The 6-year reset applies to private tenancies, not to this category. Approved housing body and cost rental tenancies are excluded.

Applies to: Student-specific accommodation

Source: RTB — Setting and reviewing private rents from 1 March 2026 (page modified 24 February 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-02-24; Government or public body)

Rent notice validity Requirement National

A rent setting or review notice must go to the tenant and the RTB on the same day, with the last rent, its date, an RTB Rent Calculator printout and, for reviews, three comparable properties. A notice the RTB does not receive is invalid.

Source: RTB — Setting and reviewing private rents from 1 March 2026 (page modified 24 February 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-02-24; Government or public body)

No market-rent reset after a no-fault termination Requirement National

Market rent cannot be set if a tenancy in the same property ended within the last 2 years through a no-fault landlord termination (sale, own or family use, change of use).

Source: RTB — Setting and reviewing private rents from 1 March 2026 (page modified 24 February 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-02-24; Government or public body)

Student funds benchmark Requirement National

ISD requires access to EUR 10,000 for a one-year course, or EUR 833 per month for 6 to 8 month stays. It is an immigration test, not a cost-of-living estimate.

EUR 10,000 one-year course (as of 2025-06-30)

Applies to: Student permission applicants

Source: ISD — Reminder on Student Finance requirements from 30 June 2025 (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2025-06-30; Government or public body)

National Minimum Wage Requirement National

From 1 January 2026 permit applications must show a basic salary at or above the new minimum wage rate.

EUR 14.15 hour (as of 2026-01-01)

Source: DETE — Latest employment permits notices and developments (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Average household spending Estimate National, all households

All households, 14-day diary, October 2022 to October 2023. A survey average across all household sizes, not a budget for one person or a family, and not by city (the page splits only urban and rural).

EUR 1,007.47 household per week (as of 2022-10/2023-10)

Source: CSO — Household Budget Survey 2022-2023, key findings (published 1 August 2024) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2024-08-01; Government or public body)

Urban and rural household spending Estimate National, urban vs rural

Urban households EUR 1,030.26 a week; rural EUR 967.52. These are alternatives for different household locations.

EUR 1,030.26 urban household per week (as of 2022-10/2023-10)

Source: CSO — Household Budget Survey 2022-2023, key findings (published 1 August 2024) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2024-08-01; Government or public body)

Housing spending, renting households Estimate National, renting households

Housing covers rent, home insurance, property tax, refuse and maintenance, so it is wider than rent. Renters EUR 174.06 a week (24.2% of spending).

EUR 174.06 household per week (as of 2022-10/2023-10)

Source: CSO — Household Budget Survey 2022-2023, key findings (published 1 August 2024) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2024-08-01; Government or public body)

Fuel and light spending Estimate National, all households

Electricity, gas, oil and solid fuel for cooking, heating and lighting, averaged across all households.

EUR 63.11 household per week (as of 2022-10/2023-10)

Source: CSO — Household Budget Survey 2022-2023, key findings (published 1 August 2024) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2024-08-01; Government or public body)

Driving as a visitor Requirement National

Holders of a valid licence from outside the EU/EEA may drive as visitors for up to one year; one version of the page also requires an international permit for non-recognised states.

Source: RSA — Exchanging a foreign driving licence for an Irish licence (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Exchange fee Requirement National

Exchange of a recognised foreign licence costs EUR 65; applicants aged 70 or over are exempt. Exchange is possible only where Ireland has an agreement with the issuing country.

EUR 65 exchange (as of 2026-11-07)

Source: RSA — Exchanging a foreign driving licence for an Irish licence (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Dublin TFI 90 Minute fare, adult Estimate Dublin

Covers Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Luas and most DART and commuter rail within 90 minutes. A city example, not a national fare.

EUR 2 90-minute journey, Leap adult (as of 2026-11-07)

Source: Leap Card — Fares and discounts (page modified 31 August 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Dublin TFI 90 Minute fare, student Estimate Dublin

Student and young-adult Leap holders pay half. Alternative to the adult fare, not additional.

EUR 1 90-minute journey, Leap student (as of 2026-11-07)

Applies to: Student or young-adult Leap card holders

Source: Leap Card — Fares and discounts (page modified 31 August 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford city bus, adult Leap Estimate Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford city bus

EUR 1.35 for 0 to 11 stages, EUR 1.55 for 12 or more. Student EUR 0.65 and EUR 0.80. The page dates the Cork fares from 11 April 2022.

EUR 1.35 journey, 0-11 stages, Leap adult (as of 2026-11-07)

Source: Leap Card — Fares and discounts (page modified 31 August 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

ID and proof of address Requirement National

Passport (or other accepted ID) matching a proof of address under six months old, or 12 months for insurance and mortgage documents.

Source: CCPC — How to open a bank account in Ireland (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Compare mobile and broadband plans Editorial National

ComReg runs a plan comparison tool, a broadband availability checker and a mobile coverage map. Consumer Care: 01 8049668, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm; complain to your provider first, ComReg helps after 10 working days. The page says nothing on SIM registration or ID.

Source: ComReg — Independent information on mobile and broadband (modified 22 October 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-10-22; Government or public body)

Ordinary residence test Requirement National

A person who has lived in Ireland for a year or intends to is treated as ordinarily resident once the HSE accepts it. Eligibility for a non-EU national does not automatically extend to dependants.

Source: Citizens Information — Entitlement to health services (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2022-10-17; Government or public body)

Private medical insurance for students Requirement National

Required for all non-EEA students; proof is asked for at registration.

Applies to: Non-EEA students

Source: ISD — Frequently asked questions for students (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

GP visit cost without a card Estimate National (higher end in some urban areas)

GPs are generally private and set their own fees. Citizens Information says to expect about EUR 45 up to EUR 65 in some urban areas, and to ask the GP first. These are the two ends of one range, not two charges.

Applies to: Patients without a medical card or GP visit card

Source: Citizens Information — GPs and private patients (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2024-06-19; Government or public body)

Free GP care by card Requirement National

Medical card holders see a GP free. GP visit cards cover adults over 70 and children under 8.

Source: Citizens Information — GPs and private patients (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2024-06-19; Government or public body)

Private insurance loading for late buyers Requirement National

Lifetime community rating adds 2% of the policy cost for each year of age over 34 at first purchase. No loading if you buy within nine months of making Ireland your principal residence. Insurers may ask for evidence of residence.

2 percent of policy cost per year over age 34 (as of 2026-11-07)

Applies to: People first buying cover at 35 or older

Source: Health Insurance Authority — Moving to Ireland (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Controlled medicines when entering Ireland from the Schengen area Requirement Ireland entry; Schengen residents travelling from the Schengen area

Revenue states that Schengen residents entering Ireland with prescribed narcotic or psychotropic medicines containing Schedule 2 or 3 controlled substances must carry an Article 75 certificate. Each prescribed product needs its own certificate; it covers at most 30 days of personal-use supply. The linked Revenue manual records a review in November 2026 and provides guidance, not a definitive answer for every case. This is not clearance for a particular medicine or a rule for all travellers; check your exact medicine and itinerary with the Irish authorities before travelling.

Applies to: Prescribed narcotic/psychotropic products containing Schedule 2 or 3 controlled drugs; not a blanket non-Schengen traveller exemption

Source: Revenue: incoming Schengen residents and Article 75 (checked 2026-11-08; document dated 2023-10-18; Government or public body; page partly read; fact independently verified) · Revenue: medicinal products control manual (reviewed November 2026) (checked 2026-11-08; Government or public body; page partly read; fact independently verified)

Register immigration permission Requirement National

Permission must be registered within 90 days of being granted; a first-time appointment must be booked.

Source: ISD — Immigration permission/stamps (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body) · ISD — Frequently asked questions for students (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

PPS number Requirement National

Needed for work, driving licence and public services. Apply at MyWelfare with a basic MyGovID account; people planning to move must wait until they live in Ireland. The page states no fee.

Source: gov.ie — Get a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-01-30; Government or public body) · Citizens Information — Personal Public Service (PPS) number (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-08-05; Government or public body)

Address proof for the PPS application Requirement National

A document with your name and address dated within 3 months; a tenancy agreement or bank statement is accepted.

Source: gov.ie — Get a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-01-30; Government or public body)

First registration and the IRP card Requirement National (Dublin office named)

Non-EU/EEA/UK/Swiss arrivals staying longer than 90 days register within 90 days of arriving. ISD takes over first-time registration from 13 January 2025. The appointment is free to book; the Dublin office is 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2; the page names no office outside Dublin. Photo and fingerprints are taken and the visit should take about 30 minutes.

Source: ISD — Information on registering your immigration permission for the first time (modified 10 January 2025) (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Registration fee and card delivery Requirement National

The fee depends on permission type and may be up to EUR 300, confirmed at the appointment and payable by card. The Irish Residence Permit card is posted, usually within 10 working days. The page does not state which permission types pay nothing.

EUR 300 registration, maximum stated (as of 2025-01-10)

Source: ISD — Information on registering your immigration permission for the first time (modified 10 January 2025) (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

If you are scammed Requirement National

Report to your local Garda station, use the reporting tool of the site where it happened, keep evidence, do not click links or reply, and tell your bank for phishing. Ransomware: do not pay.

Source: Garda — I've been caught out by an online scam. What should I do? (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

First registration outside Dublin Requirement National (Dublin office)

Since 13 January 2025 ISD handles first-time registration nationwide and the only registration location listed is 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2; the page names no regional office. Bookings go through the Digital Contact Centre.

Source: ISD — Transfer of responsibility for registration for all remaining counties (effective 13 January 2025) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2025-01-13; Government or public body) · ISD — Information on registering your immigration permission for the first time (modified 10 January 2025) (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Household goods from outside the EU Requirement Moving normal residence to Ireland from outside EU

Revenue’s transfer-of-residence relief has conditions on prior residence outside the EU and possession and use of goods, with supporting documents and import procedures. It is not automatic duty-free treatment for every shipment or a commercial-import exemption.

Source: Revenue Commissioners — Household goods from outside the EU (checked 2026-11-08; Government or public body; page partly read; fact not independently verified)

Short-stay refusal appeal rules changed in 2026 Requirement Irish visa refusals; short-stay change effective 1 June 2026

From 1 June 2026 ordinary short-stay visa refusal appeals are no longer available. The published exception covers short-stay applications under the EU Free Movement Directive, including the listed EU/EEA/Swiss family categories. Read the refusal letter and the current category-specific guidance; do not assume all visa refusals have the same appeal right.

Source: Immigration Service Delivery — Short-stay refusal appeal rules changed in 2026 (checked 2026-11-08; Government or public body; page partly read; fact not independently verified)

Irish dual citizenship and other-country law Editorial Irish nationality law; counterpart-country rules separate

Irish law does not require giving up another citizenship to apply for naturalisation or claim Irish citizenship by birth or descent. The other country’s law may require renunciation or impose different conditions. This is not a determination of your nationality or which passport to use.

Source: Immigration Service Delivery — Irish dual citizenship and other-country law (checked 2026-11-08; Government or public body; page partly read; fact not independently verified)

Local Authority Integration Teams and forums Editorial National (per local authority)

Each local authority has an integration team and a Community Integration Forum linking new arrivals to health, English-language supports, employment and volunteering. The page lists them for international protection applicants, refugees and people from Ukraine; whether they serve other permit holders is not stated.

Applies to: Named groups on the page

Source: gov.ie — Community integration (updated 12 June 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-06-12; Government or public body)

Galway English-language support Editorial Galway City

Galway City Council lists local English classes and GRETB registration options. These are Galway examples; check the provider’s eligibility and availability. Language support is not immigration advice or a nationwide guarantee of a place.

Source: Galway City Council — Galway English-language support (checked 2026-11-08; Government or public body; page partly read; fact not independently verified)

Temperature Estimate National (1991-2020 average)

Annual mean 9.8 C; July 15.2 C and January 5.3 C national means. Winter mean 5.4 C.

9.8 degrees C annual mean (as of 1991-2020)

Source: Met Éireann — Ireland's Climate Averages 1991-2020 (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Rainfall Estimate National (1991-2020 average)

About 1,288 mm a year nationally, from 878 mm on the east coast to 2,044 mm in the south-west mountains.

1,288 mm per year (as of 1991-2020)

Source: Met Éireann — Ireland's Climate Averages 1991-2020 (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Family sponsor categories Requirement National

Category B (CSEP, STEP, researchers and others) can sponsor a spouse, partner or child immediately; Category C (general permit holders) after one year of legal work. Other students and Stamp 1G graduates cannot sponsor; ISD-approved scholarship students (e.g. KASP) and PhD students (subject to conditions including no recourse to social welfare payments) are in Category B.

Applies to: Non-EEA sponsors

Source: ISD — Join non-EEA family member (policy dated 12 June 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-06-12; Government or public body)

Income test for a spouse, general-permit sponsor Requirement National

More than EUR 30,000 gross in the previous year; no fixed figure for Category B.

EUR 30,000 year gross (more than) (as of 2026-06-12)

Applies to: Category C sponsors

Source: ISD — Financial thresholds for non-EEA family reunification (checked 2026-11-07; Government or public body)

Family reunification processing expectation Requirement National

The policy says 12 months from receipt of all documents; this is not a legal guarantee.

Source: ISD — Join non-EEA family member (policy dated 12 June 2026) (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-06-12; Government or public body)

School start and compulsory age Requirement National

Most children start primary school at 4 or 5 in junior infants; parents must ensure formal education starts by age 6. The school year generally starts in the first week of September. Enrolment steps, deadlines and whether fees apply are not on the page.

Source: Citizens Information — Starting primary school for the first time (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-06-17; Government or public body)

Primary school applications and fees Requirement National

Apply on each school's own form; applications open 1 October of the year before the child starts. Schools publish an admissions policy and may not refuse on race, disability, family status and similar grounds. Most primary schools are State-funded with no enrolment fee; private schools charge fees; voluntary contributions are optional.

Source: Citizens Information — Choosing a primary school (checked 2026-11-07; document dated 2026-05-28; Government or public body)

School places follow the school admission policy Requirement Republic of Ireland; general school admission

Tusla advises checking local schools and completing the school’s application form. A full school may not be able to enrol a child, and places follow its published admission policy. This enrolment guidance does not itself establish a child’s immigration permission or a visa entitlement.

Source: Tusla Child and Family Agency — School places follow the school admission policy (checked 2026-11-08; Government or public body; page partly read; fact not independently verified)