English
white and black concrete building under blue sky during daytime

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Ireland

white and black concrete building under blue sky during daytime

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Ireland

white and black concrete building under blue sky during daytime

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Ireland

GUIDE FOR

Moving to Ireland? Here is what you need to know

Moving to Ireland? Here is what you need to know

Ireland has become a favourite destination for expats, students, digital nomads, and families seeking a friendly community, vibrant culture, and stunning natural scenery. Known for its warm hospitality, rich storytelling traditions, and rapidly growing economy, Ireland offers newcomers a unique blend of cosy village life and bustling city energy. Whether you're drawn to Dublin’s tech-driven atmosphere, Galway’s artistic charm, Cork’s culinary scene, or the peaceful green countryside, Ireland provides a welcoming and fulfilling lifestyle.

To ensure a smooth transition, it’s important to understand Ireland’s culture, work environment, climate, languages, and relocation logistics.
This guide gives an overview of Ireland, covering its culture, work life, language basics, and essential relocation insights.

How much does it cost to move to Ireland?

Moving to Ireland can vary in cost depending on your country of origin, shipment size, and preferred transport method. Below are realistic 2025 price ranges for international relocations to Ireland.

Average moving costs by region of origin

  • From within Europe: €1,200 – €4,000

  • From the UK: €1,500 – €4,000

  • From North America (USA/Canada): €4,000 – €8,000

  • From the Middle East: €3,000 – €6,000

  • From Asia: €5,000 – €11,000

  • From Oceania: €6,000 – €11,000

  • From Latin America: €5,500 – €12,000

Actual pricing will depend on the volume of your goods, customs requirements, and whether you choose sea or air freight.

Factors that influence your moving cost

  • Distance and origin country

  • Volume of belongings (m³)

  • Transport method:

    • Sea freight – cost-effective

    • Air freight – faster but pricier

  • Seasonal demand: summer tends to be the busiest

  • Additional services: packing, insurance, customs assistance, storage, vehicle or pet transport

Typical examples

  • Move from France to Dublin with 10 m³: €1,300 – €2,300

  • Couple relocating from the USA to Cork with 20 m³: €4,500 – €7,000

  • Family moving from Australia to Galway with 30 m³: €8,000 – €12,000

For a personalised estimate, requesting a detailed quote is always the best option.

A Glimpse into Ireland

Geography and climate

Ireland is an island nation in northwest Europe, famous for its dramatic coastlines, rolling green fields, rugged cliffs, and vibrant towns. Nature lovers will find no shortage of beauty, from the Cliffs of Moher and Giant’s Causeway to peaceful lakes and ancient forests.

Climate in Ireland is mild but varied:

  • Winters: cool, wet, and windy

  • Summers: mild with temperatures rarely exceeding 25°C

  • Rainfall: frequent throughout the year

  • Long summer days: ideal for outdoor activities

The ever-changing weather is part of Ireland’s charm and contributes to its lush landscapes.

A snapshot of history

Ireland’s history is rich, complex, and deeply rooted in storytelling, music, and cultural identity.

Key historical highlights:

  • Celtic tribes: established Ireland’s earliest cultural foundations

  • Viking and Norman influences: brought new settlements and trade

  • Centuries of British rule: shaped politics, language, and society

  • Irish independence (1922): creation of the modern Irish state

  • Recent decades: economic growth, joining the EU, and becoming a global tech hub

From ancient castles and monastic sites to modern architecture, Ireland’s past is visible wherever you go.

Diving into Irish culture

Irish culture is warm, expressive, communal, and full of charm.

Food and drink

Traditional Irish dishes are hearty and comforting, but the country is now known for its modern food scene as well. Popular foods include:

  • Irish stew

  • Soda bread

  • Fish and chips

  • Colcannon (potatoes with cabbage)

  • Boxty (Irish potato pancake)

  • Fresh seafood along the coasts

Ireland also has a world-famous pub culture, where conversations flow as easily as the Guinness.

Festivals

Ireland hosts festivals year-round, many rooted in tradition, arts, and music:

  • St. Patrick’s Day: celebrated globally, but nowhere like Ireland

  • Galway Arts Festival: one of Europe’s leading arts events

  • Cork Jazz Festival

  • Dublin Theatre Festival

  • Halloween (Samhain): originated from ancient Celtic tradition

These events showcase Ireland’s creativity, warmth, and love for celebration.

Lifestyle and social norms

Some defining elements of Irish life include:

  • Friendliness: Irish people are famously warm and welcoming

  • Storytelling culture: conversations, humour, and anecdotes are central

  • Community spirit: local connections matter

  • Relaxed pace in rural areas: cities are lively, but much of Ireland has a quieter rhythm

  • Love for nature: hiking, coastal walks, and exploring the countryside are common pastimes

  • Respect for tradition: music, folklore, and local customs are well preserved

Expats often find it easy to make friends in Ireland thanks to its open and social culture.

Working in Ireland

Ireland has a modern, dynamic, and internationally connected economy.

Business culture

  • Professional but informal

  • Relationship-building is valued

  • Communication is friendly and often indirect

  • Meetings may include humour or casual conversation

  • Punctuality is appreciated but less rigid than in some countries

Job opportunities for expats

Ireland is a major European hub for international business, especially in:

  • Technology (Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft all have bases here)

  • Pharmaceuticals & life sciences

  • Finance

  • Customer support & shared services

  • Research and academia

  • Healthcare

  • Tourism and hospitality

The country is particularly attractive for digital nomads and remote workers due to its strong tech infrastructure.

Gaeilge (Irish) & English made simple

Ireland has two official languages: English and Irish (Gaeilge). English is widely spoken, while Irish is used mainly in certain regions (Gaeltacht) and taught in schools.

Common phrases in Irish

English

Irish

Hello

Dia duit

Goodbye

Slán

Thank you

Go raibh maith agat

Please

Le do thoil

How are you?

Conas atá tú?

I don’t understand

Ní thuigim

Where is the nearest…?

Cá bhfuil an ceann is gaire…?

Can you help me?

An féidir leat cabhrú liom?

How much does this cost?

Cé mhéad atá air seo?

Do you speak English?

An bhfuil Béarla agat?

Learning even a few Irish expressions is seen as a sign of appreciation for the local culture.

Final thoughts

Ireland offers an inviting mix of beautiful landscapes, lively cities, rich cultural traditions, and excellent career opportunities. Whether you're relocating for work, study, family, or adventure, Ireland’s warmth, charm, and community-oriented lifestyle make it a truly rewarding place to call home.

Embrace its traditions, enjoy its friendly spirit, and discover why so many expats fall in love with Ireland.

Fáilte go hÉirinn! (Welcome to Ireland!)

Sponsors

A + International

A + International

A + International

APRIL International is a global leader in international health insurance, providing coverage to over 150,000 policyholders worldwide in both their professional and personal lives. Our mission is to make healthcare easily accessible, no matter where you are.

Whether you're a student, an intern, on a working holiday, an employee, or a retiree traveling alone or with family APRIL International offers comprehensive and flexible insurance solutions designed to suit your unique needs and budget. With our expertise, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you have access to quality healthcare wherever your journey takes you.

A Place in the Sun Currency

A Place in the Sun Currency

A Place in the Sun Currency

Our service is specifically designed for anyone making overseas payments to buy, maintain, or sell an overseas property. We understand the importance of an efficient and transparent currency service and have an experienced team in place to help make your money go further and secure your very own “place in the sun”.

Buying and transferring currency across borders is a critical part of any overseas property transaction to get right, and our personal account-manager led service is here to help you understand and navigate the process safely and securely, without incurring any unnecessary costs. You can benefit from our knowledge about both the currency markets, and the logistics of international payments.



Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience specializes in connecting international professionals with exciting career opportunities in the Netherlands. With a focus on multilingual job seekers, we help candidates find roles that align with their skills, ambitions, and background.

From recent graduates to experienced professionals, we provide guidance throughout the recruitment process, offering job placements in fields such as customer service, finance, marketing, and more. Our goal is to make international job transitions seamless, ensuring candidates find the right opportunities while supporting them every step of the way.

It is of utmost importance to us that we offer a high level of service and build strong and trusting relationships with clients and candidates. As an international agency, we are devoted to international professionals in order to help them succeed on the Dutch labor market. As part of our recruitment services we can provide you with feedback on your CV & interview preparation sessions.

Accounts Advice Centre

Accounts Advice Centre

Accounts Advice Centre

Accounts Advice Centre is a small practice of qualified Accountants and Taxation Advisers headed by Claire McNamara M.A., A.I.T.I., which was established in 1996. We can assist you to regularise your Tax Affairs or help you to rectify your Tax Problems.

Over the years, our business has increasingly specialized in estate and succession planning. We have gained extensive experience in helping a wide range of clients navigate issues such as transferring assets to their children while ensuring their own financial needs are met. Additionally, we assist in identifying gift and inheritance tax reliefs to optimize tax savings, all while maintaining full tax compliance.

Our practice has continuously evolved to the needs of our diverse clientele. We offer reliable, up-to-date, and professional tax and accounting services. Whether you're a large corporation, an international business subsidiary, a small or medium-sized company, a partnership, a sole trader, or an individual seeking advice, we're here to provide the support you need.

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote is a leading comparison platform for health insurance, providing an easy way for individuals and businesses to compare health plans from a wide range of providers. With a focus on transparency, ActiveQuote helps customers find the best insurance coverage that suits their needs and budget, whether for personal or family health insurance, or for small businesses looking to provide benefits to employees.

By simplifying the process of comparing and purchasing health insurance, ActiveQuote offers a personalized experience, ensuring customers make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. With a commitment to excellent customer service and competitive pricing, ActiveQuote is dedicated to helping you secure the right health insurance coverage for your circumstances.

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna is a leading global health insurance company providing a wide range of health plans and services for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence in both the United States and internationally, Aetna focuses on improving health outcomes by offering affordable and accessible healthcare coverage.

Aetna provides a comprehensive range of products, including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as health management programs designed to support customers in leading healthier lives. With an emphasis on innovation and customer care, Aetna aims to deliver high-quality healthcare solutions that meet the needs of diverse populations worldwide.

Agato Visa & Immigration

Agato Visa & Immigration

Agato Visa & Immigration

Our life is full of metaphors; sometimes we don’t even notice them. However, if you look at today’s world through such a metaphorical lens, you understand why it can be compared to the river. It is dynamic, it is fast moving, every day it gets filled with new streams of ideas, tendencies, and innovations. Then, we can consider different organizations as banks of that river. They all have their traditions, cultural colors, and shades. That’s why there must be something to connect these banks, to make them united by common desires, ideas, business, strategies, language, etc. Therefore, our company come to serve as the bridge for that; we can build a connection between people, business organizations and various establishments. This singular belief makes ourselves and our clients’ products/services and international brand distinguishable amongst all of the rest.

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

AIMS is a leading immigration and relocation consultancy based in Singapore, specializing in visa and residency solutions for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence across Asia, AIMS provides expert guidance on immigration programs, investment migration, and global mobility solutions.

From securing work permits and permanent residency to facilitating business expansion through investor visas, AIMS offers personalized services to help clients navigate complex immigration processes. With a commitment to professionalism and efficiency, AIMS ensures a smooth transition for those looking to live, work, or invest abroad.

All Luxury Apartments

All Luxury Apartments

All Luxury Apartments

Everyone deserves a good home. No matter where you are, you’ll need a place to return to a sanctuary where you can rest, recharge, and truly feel at home. At All Luxury Apartments, we believe that finding the perfect place shouldn’t be a challenge, which is why we connect you to the finest homes across the world.

Whether you’re traveling for business, leisure, or an extended stay, we strive to ensure that you have access to exceptional accommodations that suit your lifestyle and needs. From elegant city apartments to breathtaking villas, we’re here to make sure that wherever life takes you, you will always have a home—the kind you truly deserve!

AME Advisors

AME Advisors

AME Advisors

AME Advisors is a specialist corporate advisory firm based in Ireland, providing expert guidance on mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring, and strategic growth planning. With a deep understanding of global markets and industry trends, AME Advisors helps businesses navigate complex financial transactions with confidence.

Their client-focused approach ensures tailored solutions for companies looking to expand, restructure, or maximize shareholder value. Backed by extensive experience and a strong network, AME Advisors is a trusted partner for businesses seeking strategic financial advice and long-term success.

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