Moving to Dublin
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Dublin, Ireland. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$3,668
solo, city centre
Livability
64/100
decent
Safety
83/100
Fine. Just keep your wits about you
PR timeline
5 yrs
citizenship: 5y
How to move to Dublin
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit
Bring a lawyerDuration: 2 years (then IRP card)
Job offer in a shortage occupation paying ≥ €38,000/yr. Path to permanent residence after 5 years.
Visa difficulty by nationality
5 years
to permanent residency
5 years
to citizenship
Work permit accessibility: moderate
What it costs to move to Dublin
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$2,522
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 10% of 97 cities
$4,455
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$3,668/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Brutal1–4 months, listings gone in days
- •Fewer than 1,800 rentals listed nationwide (Feb 2026)
- •Lowest rental supply in 20 years
- •Employer letter + landlord references + bank statements required
- •Often 3 months' rent upfront
First month in Dublin
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Apply for Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit
2 years (then IRP card). Job offer in a shortage occupation paying ≥ €38,000/yr. Path to permanent residence after 5 years.
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Irish-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$21/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 1–4 months, listings gone in days. Housing friction: Brutal.
- ☐
Have $7,392 ready for move-in costs
First month + 1mo deposit + furniture
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Private insurance ~$120/mo until residency kicks in
- ☐
Start learning basic Irish
Not strictly necessary, but your landlord will like you more
Language in Dublin
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Irish
primary language
Very High
English proficiency
Most people speak English well enough. You can survive without learning Irish, but your landlord will like you more if you try.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
9.2/10
democracy index (EIU)
🏛️ Full democracy
regime type
#2 of 163
Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful)
Travel advisory: Level 1 — Exercise normal precautions
Is Dublin safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
🤷
Fine. Just keep your wits about you
0.9
homicides per 100k
Crime index: 54/100
Elevated. Research neighborhoods carefully before signing a lease.
Weather in Dublin
What the thermometer actually says
18°C
summer highs
4°C
winter lows
91 Mbps
average download speed
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System: Public hospitals available to residents; long waits push many to private insurance
Before residency: EU citizens: EHIC covers necessary care; A&E charges €100 without GP referral. Non-EU: emergency departments treat everyone (same €100 charge). GP visits ~€50–60 out of pocket until you get a medical card. Private insurance ~€100/mo. (private insurance ~$120/mo)
Specialist wait time: 8–24 weeks public
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ Low violent crime in Dublin (0.9/100k). Watch your phone though.
- ✓ English at work is standard in Dublin. You won't be blocked professionally.
- ✓ Ireland: 9.2/10 democracy index. Dublin benefits daily.
Think twice about
- ✗ $2522/mo rent in Dublin. Budget accordingly.
- ✗ Damp coastal winters in Dublin. 4°C feels colder inside.
- ✗ Banks, landlords, and doctors in Dublin still run on Irish. A2 helps; B1 lets you live.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Dublin profile →