Nigerians are the largest African community in Ireland. Census 2022 counted 8,368 Nigerian citizens and a further 8,085 people with dual Irish and Nigerian citizenship, with over 20,000 residents born in Nigeria. People come for nursing, medicine, IT and engineering jobs, for postgraduate study, and to join family. This guide covers the paperwork, the money and the practical realities.
| Quick facts | Nigeria to Ireland |
| Visa to enter | Yes (long stay D visa) |
| Registration after arrival | Yes, IRP within 90 days |
| Nigerian licence exchangeable | No |
| Double taxation agreement | No |
| Social security agreement | No |
| Nigerian citizens in Ireland (Census 2022) | 8,368 (plus 8,085 dual) |
Do you need a visa?
- Critical Skills Employment Permit for jobs on the critical skills list, including nurses, doctors, engineers and many ICT roles. Minimum salary 40,904 euro from 1 March 2026 (68,911 euro for other eligible roles). Your spouse or partner and children can apply to join you immediately and the partner gets Stamp 1G, which allows work without a permit.
- General Employment Permit for other roles at 36,605 euro, or 32,691 euro for healthcare assistants and home carers, usually after a labour market needs test.
- Study on Stamp 2. Postgraduate courses are popular because a Level 9 degree leads to up to 24 months on Stamp 1G under the Third Level Graduate Programme, during which you can work full time for any employer.
- Family reunification to join an Irish citizen or a permit holder, and the parent of an Irish citizen child route.
There is no Working Holiday scheme with Nigeria.
Your driving licence
Nigeria is not on the NDLS list of recognised states, so a Nigerian licence cannot be exchanged. You may drive on it with an international driving permit for up to 12 months as a visitor, but as a resident you need an Irish licence: driver theory test, learner permit, Essential Driver Training and the driving test. Because you already hold a full licence held for at least two years you qualify for the reduced programme of 6 EDT lessons instead of 12 and you can sit the test without waiting six months.
Tax, pensions and money
There is no double taxation agreement in effect between Ireland and Nigeria. Once you live and work in Ireland you pay Irish PAYE, USC and PRSI on your salary, and after 183 days in a calendar year you are Irish tax resident. Nigerian income you keep, such as rent, may be taxed in Nigeria under Nigerian rules; without a treaty, relief for any double tax is limited, so keep records and get advice if you have significant Nigerian income.
There is also no bilateral social security agreement. Irish PRSI builds a separate Irish State Pension record and cannot be combined with your Nigerian pension (RSA) contributions.
Your Nigerian credit history does not transfer. Irish lenders only see the Central Credit Register, so open an Irish bank account as soon as you have proof of address and build a record with a phone contract and bills in your name. Bringing savings from Nigeria is the hard part: naira to euro transfers are limited by Nigerian banks' foreign exchange rules, so plan them well before you travel and use licensed channels.
Healthcare
Your visa application must include private medical insurance for your first period. Once you are ordinarily resident (living here or intending to for at least a year) you can use the public HSE system. Public hospital inpatient charges were abolished in 2023, but GP visits cost about 50 to 70 euro, an Emergency Department visit without a GP referral is 100 euro, and non-urgent waiting lists are long. Low earners can apply for a medical card or GP visit card. Many permit holders take private insurance through their employer; if you are 35 or older, take out a policy within 9 months of arriving to avoid a Lifetime Community Rating loading.
Bringing your things and your pet
There are no non-stop flights between Nigeria and Ireland. The usual connections from Lagos or Abuja are through London, Paris, Amsterdam, Istanbul or Addis Ababa, around 9 to 13 hours in total. Household goods you have owned for 6 months can enter free of duty and VAT under Transfer of Residence relief once you have lived outside the EU for 12 months.
Nigeria is an unlisted country for pet travel. A dog or cat needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody blood test at least 30 days later at an EU approved laboratory, and then a three month wait before it can enter. You also need an EU animal health certificate, tapeworm treatment for dogs, and advance notice to the Department of Agriculture.
First 30 days checklist
- Apply for a PPS number through MyWelfare.ie with your passport, permit and proof of address.
- Book your IRP registration with Immigration Service Delivery within 90 days (300 euro).
- Open an Irish bank account and register with Revenue myAccount to avoid emergency tax.
- Register with a GP and check whether you qualify for a medical card or GP visit card.
- Get a Leap card and book your driver theory test if you plan to drive.
