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Morada › Journey · Ireland

Ireland, step by step.

18 steps in 3 phases, in the order they usually happen. Each one with the official source and the date it was checked.

Not legal advice. Rules change and may vary by region.

Arrive

10 steps

  1. Find a place to live without getting scammed

    Get a place to live and an address for your paperwork. Rental scams are common in Dublin.

    Who it's for
    Anyone renting a house, flat or room.
    Where
    Online listings; always view in person before paying
    What they usually ask for
    • Photo ID
    • Money for deposit and first month (2 months max in total)
    • References, if asked

    TipNo one can demand more than 2 months upfront. If the 'landlord' is abroad and can't show it, it's a scam. Pay traceably, get a receipt and a contract. If unsure, call Threshold.

  2. Proof of address

    Needed for PPS, IRP and a bank account. Must show your name and be under 3 months old.

    Who it's for
    Every newcomer.
    Where
    From your landlord, school or the bill holder
    What they usually ask for
    • Utility bill or bank statement
    • Or tenancy agreement
    • Or official letter, or letter from hostel, school or landlord
    • If staying with someone: their bill + a note from them confirming

    TipRoom renters rarely have bills in their name. The accepted route: the bill holder's bill + their note (can be written on the bill). Later, your IRP, Tax Credit Certificate and Statement of Liability also work at banks.

  3. Health insurance

    Immigration asks for the original policy to register and renew some permissions, such as student.

    Who it's for
    Anyone registering a permission that requires insurance, such as student (Stamp 2).
    Where
    Any insurer, before your IRP appointment
    What they usually ask for
    • Original policy in your name
    • Accident and hospital cover in Ireland
    • Valid 12 months or your whole stay

    TipFor first registration, travel insurance with hospital cover is accepted. For renewal it isn't: you need private medical insurance. Cash-back plans don't count.

  4. IRP (residence permission)

    Registers your permission to stay and gets you the IRP card, your proof of legal residence.

    Who it's for
    People from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and UK staying over 90 days.
    Where
    ISD Registration Office, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, booked online
    What they usually ask for
    • Passport
    • Proof of address
    • Documents for your category (e.g. school letter, insurance)
    • €300 fee by card, if it applies

    TipFirst registration is only in Dublin, even if you live in Cork or Galway. Create your portal account before travelling and book on arrival. Students: your course must have started. If no slot within 90 days, ISD says your permission won't be cancelled.

  5. PPS Number

    Your number for work, tax and public services.

    Who it's for
    Anyone working, studying or using public services in Ireland.
    Where
    Apply on MyWelfare.ie, then attend an in-person appointment at a PPS Number Allocation Centre
    What they usually ask for
    • Passport
    • Proof of address under 3 months old
    • Reason (e.g. job offer)
    • Basic MyGovID account

    TipYour number arrives by post, so use an address where you get mail. Bring a job offer or school letter as your reason. Without a PPS, your first pay gets Emergency Tax.

  6. Bank account

    Get paid and pay rent and bills in euro with an IBAN.

    Who it's for
    Anyone getting paid or paying bills in Ireland.
    Where
    Bank, credit union or An Post
    What they usually ask for
    • Valid photo ID (passport or IRP)
    • Proof of address under 6 months old (not the same document)

    TipOne document can't be both photo ID and proof of address. Without bills, ask your school for a letter with your address. Revenue's Tax Credit Certificate is also accepted. A 'basic bank account' has no fees in year one.

  7. Register your first job with Revenue

    Avoids Emergency Tax: you register the job and Revenue sends your tax credits to your employer.

    Who it's for
    Anyone starting their first job in Ireland.
    Where
    myAccount on revenue.ie > PAYE Services > Add Job
    What they usually ask for
    • PPSN
    • Date of birth, phone, email and address
    • Employer's Tax Registration Number (TRN)
    • Start date and pay frequency

    TipWithout your PPSN, everything is taxed at 40%. For your first job in Ireland your employer can't register it for you. Without an Irish licence or payslip, your myAccount password comes by post. Overpaid tax is refunded via payroll once the RPN issues.

  8. Registered with a GP

    Your GP is your family doctor. You can't see a specialist for the first time without their referral.

    Who it's for
    Anyone living in Ireland who wants a regular doctor.
    Where
    Practices in your area (search via the HSE Health Atlas)
    What they usually ask for
    • Name and contact details
    • No PPS needed

    TipMany practices have closed lists. Call several and take whoever accepts; you can switch later. A private visit costs €45–65. Evenings and weekends: GP Out of Hours.

  9. Leap card

    Pay for bus, Luas, DART and rail up to 30% cheaper than cash.

    Who it's for
    Anyone using public transport in Ireland.
    Where
    Authorised shops, stations and leapcard.ie
    What they usually ask for
    • Buy the card and top up
    • For student or age 19–25 fares: the right personalised Leap card

    TipIn Dublin the TFI 90 fare is €2 (adult) or €1 (student or 19–25 with the right Leap) and lets you transfer within 90 minutes. Cash: exact coins only, no change.

  10. EU family member residence card

    Lets you live and work in Ireland as the spouse or family member of an EU citizen living here.

    Who it's for
    Non-EU family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who lives and works or studies in Ireland.
    Where
    Online application to ISD (EU Treaty Rights), from inside Ireland; then register at Burgh Quay
    What they usually ask for
    • Both passports
    • Marriage certificate or proof of relationship (translated if needed)
    • Proof the EU citizen works, studies or is self-sufficient here
    • Proof of shared address

    TipAn EU family card from another country doesn't cover living here: apply for the Irish one. Once approved, your EU family member attends the Burgh Quay registration with you. No IRP fee in this case.

This list, in your pocket.

In Morada, every step becomes a reminder, with what to bring and where to go, and you tick off what's done. We'll let you know when the app is out.

Settle in

5 steps

  1. Renew your IRP

    Keeps your permission valid and gets you a new IRP card.

    Who it's for
    IRP holders who want to stay past the expiry date.
    Where
    ISD online portal, while in Ireland
    What they usually ask for
    • Copy of current IRP (front and back)
    • Passport photo page
    • Documents for your category, scanned
    • €300 fee by card, if it applies

    TipApply up to 12 weeks before expiry; you lose no time. Students can only apply once the new course starts. If asked for documents and you don't reply in 14 days, it's refused. Travelling mid-renewal may need a visa to return, depending on nationality.

  2. Annual tax return (PAYE)

    Closes your year with Revenue, claims credits and refunds overpaid tax.

    Who it's for
    Anyone who worked as an employee in Ireland.
    Where
    myAccount > PAYE Services > Review your tax for the previous 4 years
    What they usually ask for
    • myAccount access
    • Details of expenses and credits to claim (e.g. rent, health)

    TipEmergency Tax from past years only comes back if you file. You can go back 4 years. Your Statement of Liability also works as proof of address at banks.

  3. Rent Tax Credit

    Cuts income tax for renters: up to €1,000 a year per person (2024–2028).

    Who it's for
    Renters in Ireland who pay income tax.
    Where
    myAccount > Manage your tax (current year) or annual return
    What they usually ask for
    • Amount of rent paid
    • RTB number of the tenancy, where applicable
    • Receipts and agreement kept

    TipMany people never claim it. 2026 can be claimed in-year via myAccount. You can claim without the RTB number, but Revenue may ask later. It doesn't reduce USC or PRSI.

  4. Driving licence

    Drive legally while living in Ireland, by exchanging your licence or getting a new one.

    Who it's for
    Residents who want to drive.
    Where
    NDLS, online or in person by appointment
    What they usually ask for
    • Current foreign licence
    • PPS and photo ID (or Public Services Card and verified MyGovID, online)
    • Proof of address under 6 months old
    • Proof of Irish residence, if non-EU
    • €65 exchange fee

    TipEU licences (including Spain and Portugal) can be exchanged. Brazil and Latin American countries aren't on the exchange list: you take the theory test, get a learner permit and sit the test, but need only 6 EDT lessons instead of 12.

  5. Graduate permission (Stamp 1G)

    Gives 12 months (up to 24 for level 9+) to look for graduate-level work after studying in Ireland.

    Who it's for
    Graduates of a level 8 or 9 (NFQ) award from a recognised Irish body.
    Where
    ISD online portal (renewal with a change of stamp)
    What they usually ask for
    • Award or official completion letter
    • Passport
    • Health insurance
    • €300 fee

    TipApply within 6 months of your results. Stamp 2 plus 1G can't exceed 7 years (8 for level 9+). English courses don't qualify.

Stay

3 steps

  1. Stamp 4 and Long Term Residency

    Lets you work without an employment permit and counts towards citizenship.

    Who it's for
    People who have lived in Ireland for years on an employment permit.
    Where
    ISD online portal (Stamp 4 upgrade) or form by post to ISD (Long Term Residency)
    What they usually ask for
    • IRP or stamp history with no gaps
    • Employment Detail Summary (Revenue myAccount)
    • Proof of current employment
    • Long Term Residency form, if that route

    TipCritical Skills: Stamp 4 after 21 months of work. General Permit: after 57 months. Long Term Residency: 60 months, €500 fee plus €300 registration. Any day without a valid IRP doesn't count.

  2. Bring your family

    Lets your spouse, partner or children come to live with you.

    Who it's for
    People legally resident on a permission that can sponsor family.
    Where
    Long stay D (join family) visa or ISD, depending on the case
    What they usually ask for
    • Proof of relationship
    • Proof of income above the threshold
    • Sponsor's IRP and passport

    TipStudents (Stamp 2) and 1G graduates can't sponsor. Critical Skills holders can apply right away. General Permit holders after 1 year working. There is an income threshold.

  3. Irish citizenship (naturalisation)

    Become an Irish citizen, with an EU passport.

    Who it's for
    Long-term legal residents (or 3 years married to an Irish citizen).
    Where
    ISD Online Form Portal
    What they usually ask for
    • Certified passport copy
    • Residence proofs for each year
    • €175 application fee
    • €950 certificate fee if approved

    TipRule: 5 years in 9, with the last year continuous and at most 70 days abroad in that year. Stamp 2 time usually doesn't count, nor gaps between IRPs. A refused application loses the €175.

This list, in your pocket.

In Morada, every step becomes a reminder, with what to bring and where to go, and you tick off what's done. We'll let you know when the app is out.