Ireland Immigration Lawyer for Moving to Ireland from the UK
If you’re a UK or Irish citizen, you can benefit from very relaxed immigration rules due to agreements between the two countries that allow them to work, live and move freely. However, any non-UK citizens who are living in Great Britain and wish to move to Ireland will be required to apply for an Irish visa.
If you have any questions regarding Immigrating to the UK, you can contact our expert immigration lawyers to discuss any concerns you may have, or for some help navigating the application process. You can call us on 0333 305 9375, or contact us online seven days a week via our live chat.
Moving to Ireland for:
UK Citizens
You don’t need a visa for Ireland if you’re a UK citizen. The Common Travel Area (CTA) Agreement ensures UK citizens can live, work and reside in Ireland. We can help compile and submit supporting documents to prove your status.
Overseas Nationals in UK
If you’re not a British citizen, you will need a work permit and/or residence permit to move to Ireland. Our team can help you manage your application for the best chance of success.
Ireland to UK Immigration Lawyers
Appointing a trusted immigration lawyer for your relocation to Ireland is for many, a necessity. The expert team at Total Law have managed thousands of successful visa and citizenship applications, meaning we can help you with fast, comprehensive and accurate applications.
We can save you from unexpected refusals. We can also save you:
- Time
- Money
- Stress
Comprehensive Solutions for UK Applicants
Applications – We manage your visa application from beginning to end, ensuring the best possible chance of success. We ensure you comply with updated requirements, and your application has all the supporting evidence needed.
Advice – From determining eligible pathways through to managing complex requirements, our experts are hands-on in examining options for your unique circumstances.
Appeals – No need to worry if you have been refused a visa, our team can help you get your immigration goals back on track.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
What we can help with
Page Contents
- Requirements to move to Ireland from the UK
- If you are not a UK national, what should you do?
- What documents do UK citizens require to move to Ireland?
- What is working and living like in Ireland?
- How much money is required to immigrate to Ireland?
- What are taxes and healthcare systems in Ireland?
- What is it like to retire in Ireland?
- How can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Requirements to move to Ireland from the UK
Only Irish and UK citizens benefit from the ‘Common Travel Area’ (CTA) arrangement. This arrangement has been in place for decades and permits both UK citizens to move freely and reside in either jurisdiction and can enjoy rights and privileges, such as:
- The right to work in Ireland
- The right to study in Ireland
- The right to access social welfare benefits and social housing
- The right to access health services
- The right to access public funds including pensions.
This means that UK citizens who want to move to Ireland are automatically allowed to have permanent immigration permission to remain in Ireland, from the day that they enter Ireland and they do not require a visa or residency permit.
If you are planning to study, you should research if you are indeed eligible for student loans in Ireland and verify what type of tuition fees you may face as this can vary depending on your circumstances.
UK citizens usually do not need to be subjected to passport or immigration scrutiny/control when travelling between Ireland and the UK. However, it is recommended that they carry a passport with them for identification purposes or to prove that they are a UK citizen.
It is important to note that you cannot travel freely within the CTA if you’re subject to any of the below:
- A deportation order
- An exclusion decision
- An international travel ban
What should non-UK nationals do to immigrate to Ireland from the UK?
If you are not a UK citizen, you do not qualify to immigrate to Ireland through the CTA. As such, you will be subject to standard Irish immigration governments per the Irish government. This is true if you are from anywhere in the world, including the European Union.
Despite living permanently in the UK, if you do not hold citizenship and/or live in the UK by way of an Employment Permit, study visa, or any other additional type of UK immigration visa, you have to apply to live in Ireland. Non-EEA family members despite having the UK or Irish family members may need a specific visa to move to Ireland.
As it can be a complicated process, it is essential to understand your best option, which Total Law can support you with, as you will need to select the correct visa for your situation.
What documents do UK citizens require to move to Ireland?
Even though Ireland is not a far distance to move, it is still a significant life decision. The below list will help you to prepare for the move as a British expat:
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity left on it
- Details of travel arrangements
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- UK Driving license
- Proof of address and identity
- Bank account statements
- Details on your a moving company
- Give notice for your current home’s lease or sell or rent your house
- Give notice at your workplace (if applicable)
- Tell HMRC that you’re leaving the UK. If you’re at retirement age, apply to receive your UK state pension over in Ireland
- Contact all relevant companies to close your account or notify them of your new address
- If you have any pets, ensure they have all the shots they need as well as a pet passport
- Identify whether you can bring your car to Ireland duty-free or whether you need to pay a customs charge
- You may require UK criminal record from the UK criminal records check
When you arrive in Ireland, it is recommended to open an Irish bank account, find a private healthcare insurance plan for you and your family (if relevant) and apply for an Irish driving licence (as your UK licence/Northern Ireland licence will not be valid in Ireland). You may also need to pay vehicle registration tax.
It is worthwhile noting that the cost of living in Ireland is widely accepted as significantly higher than in the UK. For example, consumer prices, including rent, are 18.4% higher in Ireland than in the UK. Before making the decision to move, it is important to research jobs, housing, healthcare, taxes, and quality of life to help you make the best decision for you and your family.
What is life like for UK citizens working and living in Ireland?
When you leave the UK permanently, it is important to be aware of the difference between the countries. Naturally, the systems governing the two countries are different and British nationals moving to Ireland should be aware of their rights and obligations under Irish law.
Due to the common travel area, UK nationals do not need an employment permit and are allowed to undertake any form of legal employment, including starting a business. Most professional qualifications in the UK are accepted in Ireland so job hunting should be straightforward.
Housing is a challenging aspect within Ireland this is because housing in Ireland is in short supply, and can be more expensive than parts of the UK. Some websites to find accommodation to rent or to buy include Daft.ie, Rent.ie, and MyHome.ie.
How much does it cost to immigrate to Ireland from the UK?
Moving can be very expensive as there will be costs involved in transporting yourself, your family, and any pets to Ireland.
As a general rule, the cost of hiring a removal van to transport your belongings to Ireland will cost at least £1,000, and likely more, depending on how much you want to transport.
If you are selling your home or property in the UK, you may have the expense of legal fees involved with this process.
By some estimates, the cost of living is between 5% and 20% more expensive in Ireland than in the UK. In general, you can expect the following differences in living costs:
- Consumer prices are almost 12% higher in Ireland
- Rent prices are almost 37% higher in Ireland
- Restaurant prices are almost 7% higher than in the UK
- Groceries cost almost 14% more in Ireland
- Transportation costs are almost 14% higher than in the UK
- Clothing costs are almost 7% higher in Ireland
How do taxes and healthcare work for UK citizens immigrating to Ireland?
As a UK resident, you should have a National Insurance number (NI) assigned to you. In Ireland, this is called the Personal Public Service (PPS) number. The PPS number is required for the Irish Tax and Customs Revenue service (equivalent to HMRC) to determine your appropriate tax band.
The tax rate in Ireland on taxable earned income is as follows:
- People without dependent children pay tax at a rate of 20% on the first €33,800 you earn
- Single or widowed people, 20% on the first €37,800 you earn
- Married couples, 20% on the first €42,800 you earn
- For all people, 40% of the remainder of the earned income
- Corporation tax in Ireland is low at 12.5%
- The Value Added Tax rate in Ireland is relatively high at 23%, (compared to the UK’s 20%) and applies to most goods and services.
Irish healthcare sector has a two-tier public and private system. The public system is government-funded, while the private system is paid for by patients. If you qualify for a medical card, you will be able to access some healthcare services for free or at a reduced cost. Private health insurance can be expensive, with an average annual cost of €2,059. As well as this, dental care and the cost of medicines and prescriptions can be costly with or without private insurance.
What should UK citizens know about retiring in Ireland?
As a UK citizen, you don’t need to worry about getting a visa for Ireland to retire there, but there are a couple of other things to consider before moving there.
One of the main considerations is pensions. The best practice is to apply for the International Pensions Centre to have your UK state pension paid to you in Ireland. It is also possible to take all of your pension incomes into one place, you can transfer personal pensions from the UK to Ireland.
If you plan to do this however, it is recommended to choose an Irish pension scheme that is on the HMRC’s Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) list. If it is not on this list, you may face a significant tax bill. It may also be worth seeking out tailored pension advice to help you find the most tax-efficient way of transferring your pension.
As a pensioner in Ireland, you may also be able to access free healthcare services with a medical card, which is means-tested.
In order to do so, your weekly income must be below a certain figure. Pensions, earnings, interest from the capital and all other sources of income are included. The weekly gross income limit for the over-70s medical card is €550 for a single person and €1,050 for couples who are married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership.
If your income is higher than the allowed, you will automatically be assessed for the GP visit card, which has higher income limits. There is also an option to apply for the Drugs Payment Scheme.
How can Total Law assist with your move to Ireland from the UK?
Total Law is recognized as an excellent service for people undergoing immigration. Total Law is an accomplished team of immigration lawyers that can support you in your application and immigration processes. If you are not a UK citizen, our team can determine what Irish visa best suits your circumstances, can support the entire application process, and ease all of your stresses by answering all of your questions. With the help of our team, your chances of success are increased.
We are available seven days a week and can be reached either by phone on 0333 305 9375 or by our easy to use online chat function. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Despite Brexit, the governments of UK and Ireland have agreed to keep the common travel agreement in place. This means that both Irish citizens and UK citizens will still continue to benefit from the freedom of movement.
UK expats can work in Ireland without needing an employment permit. There is no extra paperwork and you can start searching for a job and apply for suitable roles. However, just like in the UK, some employers may still need a UK criminal record to check or be vetted by the National Vetting Bureau of the Garda Síochána. It can also be worth checking to see if your UK professional qualifications will be recognised in Ireland and if you need to do anything.