UK citizens are the second largest non-Irish group in the country. Census 2022 counted 83,347 UK citizens living in Ireland, and a further 31,907 people with dual Irish and UK citizenship. People move for work in Dublin's tech and finance sectors, to be closer to family, to study, or simply because the Common Travel Area makes it the easiest international move a British citizen can make. This guide covers what changes and what does not.
| Quick facts | UK to Ireland |
| Visa to enter | No |
| Permission to stay or work | Not needed (Common Travel Area) |
| Immigration registration (IRP) | Not needed for British citizens |
| UK licence exchangeable | Yes |
| Double taxation agreement | Yes |
| Social security agreement | Yes (Convention on Social Security) |
| UK citizens in Ireland (Census 2022) | 83,347 |
Do you need a visa?
Two things to watch. First, the rights apply to British citizens, not to everyone who lives in the UK. A non-British family member (for example a spouse with Indian or Nigerian citizenship) needs their own Irish permission, usually through the family reunification route, and may need a visa to enter. Second, if you were born in Northern Ireland or have an Irish parent or grandparent, you may already be entitled to Irish citizenship, which is worth claiming for EU free movement.
Your driving licence
The UK is on the NDLS list of recognised states, so a full UK licence (including Northern Ireland) can be exchanged for an Irish one with no theory or driving test. Visitors can drive on a UK licence, but once you live in Ireland you must exchange it rather than keep driving on it. Apply online at ndls.ie if you have a Public Services Card and MyGovID, or book an NDLS centre appointment. Bring the licence, proof of your PPS number, proof of address and photo ID. The fee is 65 euro (free if you are 70 or over).
Tax, pensions and money
Ireland and the UK have a long standing double taxation agreement. You become Irish tax resident after 183 days in a tax year (or 280 days over two years), and the treaty decides which country taxes what. Tell HMRC you are leaving (form P85) and register with Revenue using myAccount.
The Convention on Social Security between Ireland and the UK, in force since 1 January 2021, preserves the pre-Brexit position: you are covered by one country's system at a time, your UK National Insurance record and Irish PRSI record can be combined to qualify for a State Pension, and your UK State Pension is paid in Ireland with annual increases. UK workplace and personal pensions can generally stay where they are; transfers to Irish schemes are possible but need advice.
Your UK credit history does not follow you. Irish lenders only see the Central Credit Register, so expect to build a record from scratch before a mortgage or car loan. Sterling to euro transfers are cheapest through a specialist provider.
Healthcare
The Common Travel Area also protects healthcare rights, but the systems are different. The NHS is free at the point of use; the HSE is not. Once you are ordinarily resident (living in Ireland or intending to for at least a year) you can use public hospitals as a public patient, and inpatient charges were abolished in April 2023. A GP visit costs roughly 50 to 70 euro unless you qualify for a medical card or GP visit card on income grounds, and prescriptions are paid for up to a monthly cap under the Drugs Payment Scheme. Around half the population holds private health insurance from VHI, Laya or Irish Life Health. If you are 35 or older, buy it within 9 months of arriving to avoid a Lifetime Community Rating loading. A UK GHIC covers you on visits, not as a resident.
Bringing your things and your pet
Since Brexit, goods arriving from Great Britain are imports from outside the EU. You can bring your household belongings free of duty and VAT under Transfer of Residence relief if you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and owned the goods for at least 6 months; your removals company will file the declaration. Goods from Northern Ireland move freely. Cars registered in the UK must be registered for VRT within 30 days of arrival; relief is available if you owned the car for over 6 months abroad.
Pets from Great Britain need a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, an EU animal health certificate issued by a vet within 10 days of travel, and tapeworm treatment for dogs. Pets from Northern Ireland travel with no extra checks.
First 30 days checklist
- Apply for a PPS number through MyWelfare.ie with your passport and proof of Irish address.
- No IRP is needed. Instead, register with Revenue myAccount once you have a PPS number so your employer can tax you correctly.
- Open an Irish bank account; a utility bill or tenancy agreement usually counts as proof of address.
- Register with a GP and, if you want it, buy private health insurance within 9 months.
- Get a Leap card for public transport and exchange your driving licence at the NDLS.
