Moving to Ireland
Pros of living in Ireland
Let’s dive into some of the many reasons Ireland deserves your consideration when looking for a new home:
Some of the best places to live in Ireland
Derry City: Its higgledy-piggledy skyline, narrow winding streets, grey-stoned buildings and proximity to the ocean make for a wonderful place to live. It's rural yet cosmopolitan. Everything is within walking distance. It's a culinary hotspot. It's colourful, bohemian and laid-back. Galwegians are welcoming to old and young alike. It is a jewel in the crown of Ireland.
Waterford City: Waterford city hits the sweet spot for size: not too small, not too big. Most amenities, from shopping to cliff walks, are within 15 minutes of the city. Tramore and Dunmore East are hubs for surfing, sailing and all things in between, and the Waterford Greenway has opened up the region. There's a booming IT and pharma sector, and the local housing market provides many reasonable options for all types of housing. Many Trunkmoves users move to Waterford City as many are involved in this booming IT community.
Dublin, Malahide, Blackrock, Bray and many more places are wonderful places to live in Ireland
Location is about as good as it gets
Ireland is one of the closest European countries to the US and Canada. It’s also a fantastic launching point for exploring the rest of Europe — the UK is less than an hour away, Barcelona is only a two hour flight and Rome is only three hours. For world travelers, there’s hardly a better home base anywhere than Ireland.
There are lots of expats in Ireland
Ireland is an international hub — in part thanks to its geographic location, but also because of its close historical and cultural ties to both Europe, the UK and the US.
As English is an official language, it’s a relatively straightforward place to live, study and work for English speakers. In fact, something in the region of 650,000 foreigners live in Ireland presently — from the total population of about 5 million people.
Low crime
Ireland has some pretty strict gun laws — and with around 7 civilian firearms per 100 people, a very low rate of gun ownership compared to many countries. This means that rates of gun violence are nearly nonexistent and rates of violent crime overall are low in Ireland. It’s a pretty safe place to call home and many do.
Accessible healthcare
All permanent residents in Ireland are entitled to healthcare. Healthcare is offered on a government funded basis although you may still have to pay out of pocket for some services like doctor’s visits.
Various schemes are in place to help people manage the costs of chronic or long-term conditions and cap the amount you have to spend on prescription medications.
You can become a dual-citizen
Residents of Ireland can be dual citizens with another nation, as long as that nation also recognizes the ability to hold a dual citizenship. That means becoming an Irish citizen doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up your rights in your home country.
Customs Documents Required for Moving to Ireland: Scan of passport, Detailed inventory / commercial invoice in English.
NOTE: Transfer of Residence, Property lease or rental agreement, Letter of employment.
Restricted/Dutiable Items: Tobacco products.
Prohibited Items: Food, Plants, Firearms, Illegal Drugs / psychotropic drugs, Ivory, Toxic materials.
These documents are mandatory and you will be required to upload these documents during the Check-in process (see Check-In). Additional documents and/or materials may be required for a duty & tax free entry of your personal goods.
Country Guide: Ireland
Find a foreign embassy in Ireland
Find Ireland's embassies in other countries
Moving Used Household Goods and Personal Effects to Ireland
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Packing list
- Transfer of residency 1(TOR 1) - PPS declaration document
- Express release / air waybill (AWB)
- Documentary evidence of residence abroad for at least 12 months
- Two original copies of utility bills. (Electricity bill and a bank statement will do. Must not be older than 12 months).
- Proof of residence in Ireland (2 forms)
- Copy of property lease, rental agreement, or purchase in Ireland
- Resident / work permit / letter of employment
- Travel itinerary returning to Ireland / copy of flight confirmation / copy of boarding pass
- Letter from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs Protocol Section
Specific Information
- All goods should be in the ownership of the owner of the goods for at least 12 months prior to import.
- Required documents must be received by the agent prior to the arrival of the shipment to minimize any port charges.
- Owner of the goods does not need to be present for Customs clearance.
- Owner of the goods should arrive in the country prior to the arrival of the shipment.
- Used household goods may be allowed entry on a duty and tax free basis once the TOR has been verified.
- Imports not deemed qualified as part of a TOR shipment will be subject to duty (6% to 13%) and value added tax (VAT) of approximately 23%.
- If they do not have a European Union country passport they must provide a copy of their Irish entry authorisation visa.
- Letter from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs Protocol Section authorizing release of the consignment from the port (diplomats).
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- Needs to be confirmed ahead of arriving into port as Ireland only extends the same privileges it receives in the country of origin.
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Original registration
- Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
- Copy of current insurance certificate (copy of previous policy documentation is acceptable if no current insurance is in effect)
- Bill of sale showing date of purchase and price
Specific Information
- The OBL must include the chassis number, engine number, color, model, make, and weight of the vehicle.
- Vehicles brought into Ireland under TOR rules are not subject to duty or tax.
- The duty rate on vehicles imported outside of the TOR protocol is 23% VAT of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value, and the vehicle registration tax is payable up to 35% of the vehicle value.
- In order to avoid unnecessary delays and charges for demurrage and storage due to lengthy Customs procedures, the agent must receive a copy of the required documentation prior to arrival of the shipment.
- Check with agent for specific details.
- Motor vehicles must be in the owners name for at least 6 months to be eligible for duty and VAT free import.
- Only one vehicle per person may be imported.
Pets
Documents Required
- Vaccination record
- Veterinary health certificate
- Pet passport
Specific Information
- Pets arriving from outside of the European Union must be pre-booked and pass through the Quarantine Station at Dublin airport.
- Prior approval from the Department of Agriculture must be received prior to import.
- 6-month quarantine is not required if the following conditions met:
- Proof of rabies vaccination and follow up showing effective (6 months after inoculation),
- Health certificate,
- Electronic microchip.
- Pets arriving from within the European Union can usually enter without prior approval or examination at a Quarantine Station.
Restricted/Dutiable Items
- Alcohol is subject to duties (variable according to type, strength, etc.) and VAT (23%).
- A declaration form is needed prior to arrival of the container and should be loaded at rear of the container for easy access if examination is required.
- New furniture and household goods (items purchased within 6 months of the date of shipping are subject to customs duties and VAT of 23%).
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics
- Drugs
- Explosives
- Pornography
- Firearms
- Meat products
- Live plants
- Endangered species and any products or parts thereof as outlined by CITES (authorization from CITES is required)