Moving to Ireland - employment, health insurance and residency
By: Debbie McGoldrick | Published Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 7:09 PM | Updated Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 7:09 PM
“What could I expect if I went to live in Ireland for long-term period of time – at least a year and probably longer? Two of my grandparents are Irish, and I’ve taken many trips there. Would I be eligible for things like jobs and health insurance, which I understand is standard for everyone in Ireland? What would I have to do to establish residency in Ireland?”
You could expect an Ireland that in many ways resembles the one you’ve undoubtedly encountered on your many trips – beautiful and welcoming – but one that is also beset with many modern day problems, such as a collapsing economy and high unemployment.
As you have at least one grandparent who is an Irish citizen, you will be able to acquire Irish citizenship through this link, if you haven’t already done so. It’s vital that you secure Irish citizenship prior to your move, because as a citizen you’ll be entitled to legally live and work in Ireland.
(For more information on how to secure Irish citizenship through a grandparent, visit the Irish Embassy’s website at www.embassyofireland.org. It’s a fairly involved process in that applicants must provide items such as birth and marriage certificates. The website gives information on how to obtain these documents from the appropriate office in Ireland.)
As a citizen of Ireland – an Irish passport also entitles the holder to valuable citizenship of the European Union, which means freedom to work and travel in the EU member states – you can work in Ireland at any job that is offered to you. As mentioned above, Ireland is experiencing high unemployment at the present time, so your prospects might not be all that great. You should check the employment ads on the websites of The Irish Times and the Irish Independent to get an idea of what’s available.
As far as health insurance in Ireland goes, yes, most people are covered in some way, shape or form as part of the government-run health care program, but availing of benefits isn’t as simple as just signing up.
In your case, in order to be eligible for benefits you would have to show that you are resident in Ireland and intend to live there for at least a year. This could be done by providing, for example, a lease on a place to live. You would also have to prove legal residency in Ireland, which you could do by showing your Irish passport.
Once the Health Service Executive (HSE) accepts that you are a resident of Ireland, you will be entitled to either full benefits in the form of a medical card, or limited benefits. The benefit levels are means tested.
Though Irish citizens are covered through HSE programs, those who can afford to also take out private insurance plans. Why? Because the care provided under those plans is often better and delivered in a much more timely fashion.
We’ve described how you can establish residency in Ireland above. Another important item you’ll be able to apply for once in Ireland is the Personal Public Service (PPS) number.
This number is akin to our Social Security number, and it serves as a reference number that helps to you to gain access to social welfare benefits, public services and information in the country. The number can be applied for at the local social welfare office in the place where you choose to live.
An excellent Irish-government website that will help you navigate the ins and outs of your move to Ireland is www.citizensinformation.ie. It provides information on a wide variety of topics in addition to the ones we’ve discussed in this column, including taxation and the Irish social welfare system.
“What could I expect if I went to live in Ireland for long-term period of time – at least a year and probably longer? Two of my grandparents are Irish, and I’ve taken many trips there. Would I be eligible for things like jobs and health insurance, which I understand is standard for everyone in Ireland? What would I have to do to establish residency in Ireland?”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.CSVollrath | Feb 12, 2013, 10:24 PM EST
I would sincerely like to thank you for the valuable information. Although I know it bugs the s**t out of the locals to say that you are of Irish decent, I, in-fact am of Irish decent on both my mother and fathers side. However, I have been able to learn very little about our county of origin. It would be of great assistance to me if you could tell me how I might go about doing this. Also at some point in the future I would love to own property in Ireland but have no idea if this is possible if you are not an Irish Citizen. Also I have heard that it possible to have dual citizenship in both the United States and Ireland but do not know this to be a fact. I would certainly appreciate any insight you might have on this topic. I have visited only once but cannot wait to return. Any information you could give me would be most appreciated. Many thanks in advance for any assistance you may be able to provide.
GeorgeDillon | Jun 07, 2011, 06:01 AM EDT
haasny: "Dude you are so full of crap!" How about writing in adult English? This isn't a high school, you nitwit.
GeorgeDillon | Jun 07, 2011, 05:59 AM EDT
haasny: I don't need racists like you to tell me about the EU. I know enough about the EU to agree with the growing opinion in Ireland, that membership has been a disaster for the country. Ireland even has to pay many millions of euros in child benefit for children who don't even live in Ireland. The child benefit in a place like Latvia is something like $15 a month. The Irish child benefit is more than ten times that amount. Result? Latvians either have more children in Latvia and claim Irish benefit, or have more IMAGINARY children in Latvia and claim Irish benefit. Ireland is foolish indeed to borrow money from the IMF in order to pay child benefit in Latvia and Poland. There's no shortage of fools in Ireland, hassny, but the worst of all are Irish racist fools---such as you.
GeorgeDillon | Jun 07, 2011, 05:52 AM EDT
kittymurphy: Racists like you may never go to Dublin, but I do. Downtown Dublin is full of Nigerians and Chinese. The only Americans you see are tourists. If you weren't such an ignorant racist, you'd know that many tens of thousands of Nigerians were allowed into Ireland since the late 1990s. If you actually knew something about Ireland instead of peddling your senseless racism here, you'd know that whole areas of Dublin have been taken over by the Nigerians (West Dublin, specifically the Blanchardstown neighborhood) and the Chinese (the North Side of Downtown Dublin). How many areas of Dublin have been taken over by Americans, you racist imbecile?
beaumax99 | Jun 05, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT
Here is a site for people who are looking for info on how to obtain Irish Citizen http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/home/index.aspx?id=37635. However, I totally agree with Martha Anne...Ask yourself what you can contribute to any country that you may want to live in. Or will you be a burden to the system? Many people (not all) come to the U.S. just to collect welfare and free medical. I know that being a born citizen in the US I am constantly upset at how hard we work to support ourselves and then you have (others) who just come here to be a burden and have nothing at all to contribute. It is really very sad. I would love to live part time in Ireland and can say I would not be a burden as I own my home here in the US, have a few bucks in the bank, have health coverage which I pay for out of my own pocket and a regular income. Each country should take care of their own prior to taking care of other's, especially the ones who prove to be nothing but a burden. I DON'T CARE WHAT NATIONALITY, COLOR, OR CREED ONE MAY BE!!! THIS APPLIES TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE A BURDEN ON THEIR GOVERNMENT.
haasny007 | Jun 04, 2011, 09:21 PM EDT
The 10 EU member countries which joined in 2004 have acquired full rights to work and reside in all other EU-25 member countries as of May 1, 2011. Many EU countries (including Ireland and the UK) have already earlier given full access to those countries, not, however, Germany, Austria and other some other EU countries. Only the newest EU members Romania and Bulgaria do current not have full access to the labor market of the other EU-25 member countries. They will as of 2014. BTW: Descendants of Irish-born great-grand parents are eligible for Irish citizenship if the grandchild is entered in the foreign births registration before the great-grand child is born.
haasny007 | Jun 04, 2011, 09:16 PM EDT
The 10 EU countries that joined in 2004 have the same rights to reside and work in all other EU-25 countries effective as of May 1, 2011. Most EU countries (including Ireland and the UK) have already allowed them full access to their labor markets before that date, not so, however, Germany, Austria and few other EU countries. The only two EU countries who do not have access yet to the remaining EU-25 countries are the newest members Romania and Bulgaria, who will get access by 2014. BTW: Descendants of Irish-born great-grand parents are eligible for Irish citizenship if the grandchild is entered in the foreign births registration (at any Irish consulate) before the great-grand child is born.
jacersagain | Jun 04, 2011, 07:26 PM EDT
For Ms.Gail: I’d suggest you read all the advice on passport.ie for what you can do if not a grandchild of an Irish grandparent. If your ‘Irishness’ goes back further than a grandparent, you should know that the so-called Certificate of Irish Heritage about to be launched by the Irish Government does not qualify anyone for Irish Citizenship or an Irish Passport. Beware though, there is a website called diapora.ie that issues Certificates of Irish Heritage at their own charges to you... this is not an official Irish Government site and is really nothing less than a scam.
jacersagain | Jun 04, 2011, 07:08 PM EDT
Re Searlit’s post, I don’t think that is right. I think she may be mixing it up with the ending, as of May 1st last, of the 7-yr transition period of several East European countries like Romania whose citizens are now fully entitled to move to, say, Italy, France, Spain, UK and any other EU country and entitled to all the benefits (including social welfare benefits) of living and working in these EU countries, including Ireland. My Irish passport is also an EU passport, allowing me to go and live or work in any of the EU countries. Of course, I’d not be so stupid as to do so ;)
jacersagain | Jun 04, 2011, 06:56 PM EDT
Debbie has written a very good advice article above and people should follow the internet links that she provided. One can also look at passport.ie – an Irish Government website - which shows the various categories under which one can obtain an Irish passport. Trealach says it right – if you are posted to Ireland (job-wise, for example) and live here 5 yrs or more, you would be eligible to apply for Irish Citizenship. I know of young Irish people, whose Companies’ posted them to work in the USA, Canada or Australia who would also be entitled to look for an American, Canadian or Australian passport.
iamdiva | Jun 04, 2011, 05:21 PM EDT
I love writing about Ireland in my books. I also dream to move there. I just want to drop everything here and go there. I'd love to farm or promote the country to tourists who will help the economy. If i could make "I Love Ireland" T-shirts, I'd sell them and give the money to Eire. Such rich culture and people shouldn't be exposed to unemployment and collapsing economy.
Trealach | Jun 04, 2011, 02:21 PM EDT
It's NOT absolutely necessary to have a grand-parent who is Irish to gain "Citizenship". Anyone legally living in Ireland for 5 years or more can apply for citizenship and receive an Irish Passport. The requirement of having a grand-parent means that you have an AUTOMATIC entitlement to citizenship AND Irish Nationality.
Ms.Gail | Jun 04, 2011, 02:11 PM EDT
I too would like to know the requirements for a person who is not a grandchild.
Searlit | Jun 04, 2011, 12:43 PM EDT
I think the EU just told Ireland last week that non- EU immigrants have to be treated the same as EU member immigrants now.
MarthaAnne | Jun 04, 2011, 11:42 AM EDT
It would seem to me unfair for someone to move to Ireland nowadays unless he or she intends to do something that adds to the economy. Why go unless you want to be needed and productive for this small nation? I am over 60, but I think that if someone is going to retire in Ireland, move there for retirement purposes, s/he may use more health services than s/he would be paying into the system. Older people often require the most expensive and frequent medical services. Will the insurance premiums that that new Irish resident-retiree pays cover the received services, or are the Irish people really paying for them via taxes? You have to think about that and not be selfish. If you are older and plan to spend the rest of your life in Ireland, please be sure you will not be on the take only. Yes, you will pay property and (I guess) income and sales taxes, but will they equal what your eventual medical expenses will be? It's all about fairness. This is not a wealthy country right now. (I would love to move to Ireland forever, but we have too many obligations here in the U.S.)
bluesman | Jun 04, 2011, 11:08 AM EDT
Haasny007 You are so right.. This guy is an ass. Why he even reads this site is a mystery. No reading material in England freak!! Talk about reporting abuse!!!
citicelt | Jun 04, 2011, 10:58 AM EDT
when I tried to log on to the Irish Embassy, I arrived in Mozambique? What that all about.
haasny007 | Jun 04, 2011, 10:43 AM EDT
@ racist GoergeDillon: dude you are so full of crap! Poles, as EU citizens, can of course live and work in Ireland as long as they want, as can Irish citizens in the rest of the EU. Nigerians, like American citizens, are treated the same manner as all other non-European Economic Area citizens. Do you really believe that your idiotic statements will become any truer just because you keep posting the same nonsense over and over again?
mamaginnty | Jun 04, 2011, 08:21 AM EDT
As I.C. said, you will get irish citizenship when you have one grandparent, no problem. Worth looking into if you go further back with ancestry. Ireland is beautiful and will welcome you, a great little country to retire in. I will never tire of saying I love my country.
peglegmeg | Jun 03, 2011, 06:03 PM EDT
What does one do if you want to move there and your ancestors go back further than your Grandparents...It my dream to move there and live the rest of my life in the countryside. What should I be doing to make this a reality, as far as the Government requirements....
KittyMurphy | Jun 03, 2011, 03:15 PM EDT
@George what did we say about being pleasant. Difficult for you it seems. Do you have any proof to back these statements up or is it just your racism? It is exactly the same for Irish coming to the US.
GeorgeDillon | Jun 03, 2011, 02:51 PM EDT
This poster should be told that unless s/he has Irish citizenship s/he will have fewer rights in Ireland than Nigerians, Chinese or Poles. These people can live in Ireland indefinitely, work if they wish to, or else go on welfare. Americans can't. In fact at Irish immigration at the airport you'll probably have your passport stamped "Not eligible to Work in Ireland" together with an obligatory exit date within 30 days of your arrival.