The 90-day mark is not arbitrary: it is the deadline on the landing stamp for non-EEA nationals to register with immigration, and it is roughly how long it takes a new arrival to go from a suitcase in a hostel to a settled address, a bank account, a tax record and a GP. This guide groups what needs doing into the three months, in the order that stops one task blocking another. It assumes you have done the first-week tasks (PPS application, immigration booking, property search). Figures are correct as of September 2026.
Month one: register, sign, connect
Month two: health, money and driving
- Register with a GP. Phone practices near home until one accepts you. Private GP visits typically cost in the region of €50 to €80 in Dublin. Children under 8 and adults over 70 get a free GP visit card; others are means-tested, with a weekly net income limit of €418 for a single person living alone (rates set November 2023). Apply at medicalcard.ie.
- Decide on health insurance. Public hospital care is available to ordinarily resident people, but waiting lists are long. If you buy private cover, the Health Insurance Authority's comparison tool shows every plan, and new residents over 34 have a limited window before lifetime community rating loadings apply.
- Claim the Rent Tax Credit on myAccount: up to €1,000 a year for a single person and €2,000 for a jointly assessed couple in 2026. You will need your landlord's details and the RTB registration number.
- Buy a TV licence (€160 a year) if you have a television set; inspectors do call.
- Exchange your driving licence at the NDLS if it is from an EU/EEA state or a recognised state. The fee is €65, and you apply online with a verified MyGovID and Public Services Card or in person by appointment. If your licence is not exchangeable, book the driver theory test now; the wait for a driving test later is long.
- Apply for a Public Services Card at your Intreo centre; it upgrades your MyGovID to verified, which unlocks online driving licence renewals, Revenue services and more.
Month three: settle in
- Children: confirm school places, apply for the National Childcare Scheme subsidy through the NCS portal if you use registered childcare, and register children with a dentist; school-age children get free dental checks in certain classes.
- Register to vote through checktheregister.ie. Everyone resident in Ireland can vote in local elections, EU citizens can also vote in European elections, and British citizens can vote in Dáil elections.
- Car: if you brought a vehicle, it must be registered and Vehicle Registration Tax paid within 30 days of arrival, then taxed and insured; if you buy one, check the NCT status and motor tax. Read our Transportation guides.
- Pets: license your dog with your local authority and register the microchip to your Irish address.
- Employment rights: check your payslip shows PRSI class A; this builds your entitlement to Irish social insurance benefits.
- Pension: ask HR about the company scheme. Automatic enrolment into the state-backed MyFutureFund scheme began in 2026 for employees without a workplace pension.
- Community: join a sports club, a parkrun or a meetup. Irish social life runs through clubs and it is the fastest way to stop feeling like a visitor.
The 90-day tracker
| Task | Target | Cost | Depends on |
| PPS number received | Week 3 to 6 | Free | Appointment attended |
| IRP card received | Week 4 to 8 | €300 | Registration appointment |
| Lease signed and RTB registered | Week 2 to 6 | Deposit plus one month | References, funds |
| Bank account open | Week 4 to 8 | Free or small monthly fee | PPS number, address |
| Revenue registered, emergency tax refunded | Week 4 to 8 | Free | PPS number |
| GP registered | Week 4 to 10 | Free to join | Address |
| Driving licence exchanged | Week 8 to 12 | €65 | PPS number, proof of address |
| Rent Tax Credit claimed | Week 8 to 12 | Free, worth up to €1,000 | Lease, RTB number |
Watch out for
- Do not let the 90-day registration deadline slip; if you cannot get an appointment in time, keep the booking confirmation as evidence that you tried.
- Keep every letter with your name and address; each one is proof of address for the next form.
- Rent increases once you are in a tenancy are capped at 2% a year or inflation, whichever is lower; if your landlord asks for more, contact the RTB or Threshold.
