Living in Ireland: A Glimpse of Life After Relocation

Ireland is a European Union country just off the coast of Wales and England. It is well-known for its cultural delights, gorgeous sights, and world-renowned talents.

Beyond that, it is also home to thousands of immigrants from many different countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Plus, the weather there is generally mild all year round, with the warmest months of June, July, and August recording a temperature of around 16 degrees Celsius.

If you’re considering relocating to the country anytime soon, this article will give you a glimpse of what’s in store for you should you end up living in Ireland.

 

Irish Residency Legalities

Entering Ireland is relatively easy, but that doesn’t mean there are no rules.

You’ll have to learn about entry requirements from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). They are also responsible for implementing policies relating to visas and other immigration matters in Ireland.

Like most countries, Ireland’s entry requirements vary from one territory to another. You may not need a visa to go there if you’re planning to stay for less than three months. Otherwise, the rule covering your origin country applies.

Here is a quick summary of residency and entry requirements for some territories:

 

European Union

Since Ireland remains a member of the European Union, all citizens from fellow member countries are welcome without a visa. They can also take up employment or self-employment in the Republic.

 

The U.S.

Americans are free to visit Ireland without a visa, except for work or long-term stays.

Those who wish to live there also need to get permission from the Department of Justice and Equality. Once approved, their passports will get a stamp of endorsement as proof of the legality of their stay.

 

The U.K.

Despite no longer being part of the EU, the UK still shares a Common Travel Area with Ireland. In other words, British citizens can still enter the country for any reason and for as long as they want.

 

Australia

Ireland welcomes Australians even without a visa. However, they need to apply for the document if they intend to work in the country.

Plus, Australian citizens might also be asked to provide proof of their finances, especially if they plan to stay longer than one to two months.

 

7 Fast Facts About Living in Ireland

Before employees sent by their companies from other countries can get settled in a foreign country for work, and before their accompanying family members can prepare for school or other reasons, they will need at least basic knowledge of what living in the new country entails. This also rings true for Ireland.

Here are seven fast facts about the nation that can help you get started:

 

1.    Most of the action is in Dublin.

While all Irish cities have their own charm, the numbers suggest that Dublin holds most of the action in the country.

For one, 39 percent of Ireland’s total population are in the Greater Dublin Area. That’s about 1.9 million out of nearly 5 million residents.

Dublin also serves as host to local and international food, literature, and film festivals, like the Dublin Fringe Festival and the Bram Stoker Festival that commemorates the Irish author of the classic novel “Dracula.”

 

2.    Ireland ranks 11th in healthcare.

When you decide to live in Ireland, you can look forward to the excellent healthcare system in the country. The nation ranks 11th in terms of having the best healthcare systems in the world, according to a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded study from The Lancet.

To top that off, Ireland has an 82.1 life expectancy – higher than other first-world countries, including the UK. According to the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), it also has a lower child mortality rate and more hospital beds per person.

The OECD also noted that the Emerald Isle has:

• Lower avoidable mortality rates
• Lower diabetes rates
• Lower self-reported poor health rates

As if that’s not enough, the country also has more doctors (at 30.9) per 10,000 people, which is higher than in the UK, the US, and Norway (each at 28 per 10,000 people).

 

3.    Alcohol is part of Irish culture.

If you came from a country with conservative customs regarding alcohol, you might need time to adjust to Ireland. After all, alcohol is a significant part of Irish culture.

Still, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be expected just to chug beers and take shots anytime until you are dead drunk. There’s more to it than that.

With a wide range of selections available – from Baileys Irish Cream to Bulmers Irish cider, Ireland is a great place to sample different alcoholic beverages.

 

4.    The Irish love tea.

Think the British love tea? The Irish love it more, and proof of that lies in the statistics.

According to the famous tea brand Lyons Tea, a typical Irish person consumes about 300 litres of tea annually.

Statista says that an average Irish person consumes more than two kilograms of tea every year, which is 227 grams more than the British do.

 

5.    The cost of living in Ireland is relatively higher.

Besides tea consumption and healthcare, Ireland also overtakes the UK in one more aspect: the cost of living.

With Ireland having the second-highest price level for services and consumer goods, it is hardly surprising that the Emerald Isle is infamous for being more expensive than most European countries. If the UK is at 21 percentage points higher than the average level, Ireland is at 34.

Note that this will still depend on where exactly you’ll be living in the country. If it’s in Dublin, you need to save up before you head to the Irish capital, as living there is particularly expensive.

 

6.    You’ll be very safe in Ireland.

Another great thing about Ireland is the level of safety it offers.

The country is deemed very safe, particularly for newcomers and travellers. The U.S. Department of State even gave the nation a “Level One” status, which means visitors only need to exercise standard precautions when in the country.

 

7.    Relocating to Ireland could be less stressful.

International relocation is generally stressful. But believe it or not, it could be less so when the destination is Ireland.

Relocation to the country is fairly easy, primarily because there aren’t any specific vaccinations required for those who wish to immigrate there other than the standard immunisation for children (if you’re bringing your family along).

Of course, some vaccines are recommended, including rabies shots. This applies to both pets and people. Take note, however, that such vaccination requirements may vary depending on the animal’s origin country.

 

Welcome to Ireland

Ireland is known by many names – the Emerald Isle, the Land of Saints and Scholars, the Republic. If you’re relocating, you’ll probably call it “home” soon enough. This article can help you make an informed decision about your move.