Retiring in Ireland: Step-by-step guide

Have your heart set on living in Ireland for your retirement? It’s a popular choice for UK expats, with more than 100,000¹ of them living in Ireland according to the 2016 census. It’s easy to see why, as the UK’s closest neighbour has beautiful scenery, friendly people and a shared language.

If you’re dreaming of retiring to Ireland, read on. We’ve put together a handy guide covering everything you need to know ahead of your big move, from money and visas to healthcare and buying property.

We’ll also include a little info on how best to manage your money, especially when sending and receiving payments across borders. Open a Wise multi-currency account and you can send money between Ireland and the UK for tiny fees and the real, mid-market exchange rate. You can even avoid high bank fees when receiving your UK pension, all from your secure Wise account.

Learn more

But more on this later. Let’s start with a few of the many reasons you may want to retire to Ireland.

Benefits of retiring in Ireland

So, why is Ireland such a popular choice for UK retirees? Let’s take a look at a few of the most persuasive reasons to spend your post-work years there:

• Ireland is well connected. Living there, you’ll find it quick, easy and cheap to fly or ferry back to the UK to see friends and family. Ireland also enjoys excellent transport links to Europe, where flights connect to the rest of the world. So, you’ll never feel cut off, even if you choose a rural part of the country.

• Quality of life. Many UK expats move to Ireland after enjoying many happy holidays there, walking in gorgeous green countryside, exploring the culture and history of its vibrant cities and of course, enjoying a pint in its world-famous pubs. If you love a buzzing social scene, Ireland is for you.

• Beautiful natural scenery. Ireland isn’t known as the Emerald Isle for nothing. It’s a lush, green island bursting with incredible sights, from towering cliffs and rugged coastline to lakes, sheep-dotted mountains and scenic walking routes. And of course, there are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and fascinating historic cities like Dublin to explore.

• Excellent public healthcare system. Ireland’s public healthcare system consistently scores highly in global rankings, which is reassuring for retirees concerned about leaving the NHS. In fact, it was ranked 13th in the world² (many places ahead of the UK) by medical journal The Lancet in a 2017 report.

Where to retire in Ireland from the UK

Now, with the whole of this beautiful country to choose, where exactly in Ireland should you spend your post-work years? Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular spots for UK retirees:

Dublin

If you’re used to city living, Dublin will offer you all the culture, nightlife, food and drink you could ask for. It’s often known as a party city, but there’s so much more to it - from art, music and international literature festivals to beautiful parks and gardens. But as you might expect, Ireland’s capital is far more expensive to live in than other parts of the country.

Skibbereen, County Cork

If you’re looking for an outdoor lifestyle, with plenty of walking routes to try and stunning beaches perfect for summer sunbathing, the County Cork town of Skibbereen is a great choice. There are always festivals and events happening in the town, which is surrounded by some of the best natural scenery in Ireland.

Kilkenny, County Kilkenny

This beautiful, historic city in the south of Ireland is a popular place to retire. There’s a lot going on here, but the pace of life in Kilkenny is much more laid-back compared to Ireland’s bigger cities. There are characterful buildings to explore, plenty of amenities and as Kilkenny borders multiple counties, it’s very accessible too.

Bray, County Wicklow

If you’ve been dreaming of escaping to Ireland’s windswept coastline, head to the seaside town of Bray. This pretty town is full of character, but also has all the amenities and shops you could want. Bray is laid-back and beautiful, but just a short drive or train ride from the bustle of Dublin.

Galway, County Galway

This west coast city has a welcoming small town feel, and combines modern urban living with just a touch of traditional charm. Galway has a popular farmers market, independent shops and plenty of arts, sport and other activities to join in with.

Plus, this historic maritime city is perfectly situated for exploring Ireland’s wild side, with the rugged Connemara National Park on its doorstep.

How much money do you need to retire in Ireland?

Once you’ve settled on a Irish town or city to retire to, it’s time to start thinking about the practicalities of your big move to a new country.

One of the first things to consider is money. If you’re a UK resident looking to retire in Ireland, cost will always be a consideration. This is because the cost of living is higher in Ireland than the UK.

Here are just a few examples of the typical cost of everyday essentials³:

• A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant - approx. £52 in Ireland, compared to £50 in the UK
• A beer (0.5 litre draught) - approx. £4.35 in Ireland, compared to £3.70 in the UK
• A loaf of bread - approx. £1.27 in Ireland, compared to £0.98 in the UK
• Rent for a one-bed apartment in a city centre - approx. £1,009 in Ireland, compared to £749 in the UK.
• Monthly public transport pass - approx. £87 in Ireland, compared to £65 in the UK.

So, as you can see, Ireland can be more expensive than the UK when it comes to the cost of living. This is especially the case when it comes to things like accommodation and transport, which is particularly high in Ireland’s major cities.

You’ll need to factor in these increased costs when planning your retirement finances, making sure you have enough to live on along with a comfortable savings cushion.

Retiring in Ireland - facts and key info you need to know

We’ve covered money, but there are a few other key things you’ll need to know before retiring in Ireland:

• Pensions. You can apply to receive your UK state pension in Ireland once you move. Plus, you may also be able to transfer other personal and workplace pensions over to your new country of residence. You’ll need to check that your Irish pension scheme is a qualifying recognised pension scheme (QROPS), otherwise you could face a large tax bill. It’s a good idea to get expert pensions advice before you do this.

• Property. Housing in Ireland can be more expensive than you’re used to. But the good news is that you won’t face any restrictions as a non-Irish citizen when it comes to buying property or land, or renting accommodation.

• Healthcare⁴. UK citizens can access the Irish public healthcare system, even after Brexit thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement. You may be able to access some services for free, if you qualify for a medical card on income grounds. Otherwise, you may need to pay a fee to access healthcare on the same grounds as an Irish citizen. Alternatively, you can take out private health insurance.

• Driving licences⁴. If you have a UK driving licence and want to drive once you move to Ireland, you will need to exchange it for an Irish driving licence. Visitors can use their existing UK licence, but residents will need to follow the process for converting it to an Irish driving licence.

Do I need a retirement visa for Ireland?

One of the most attractive reasons to retire in Ireland for UK citizens is that you don’t need a visa.

UK citizens can live, work and study in Ireland without the need for any kind of visa or residency permit⁴. While the UK leaving the European Union has triggered the need for retirement visas in many other EU countries, Ireland has a Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement with the UK.

So, that’s one less thing to include on your to-do list!

How to retire in Ireland - a step-by-step guide

Without the need to apply for any kind of Ireland retirement visa, moving there as a retiree should be relatively straightforward. However, remember that moving to a new country will always have its costs and complications.

Follow these steps to kickstart your move:

1. Check that your UK passport is valid for travel, with at least 6 months validity remaining. You may not need a visa to retire in Ireland, but you do need a valid travel document.

2. Choose where you want to live in Ireland. You may need to make several trips over there to get a feel for the place and scout out properties to rent or buy.

3. Arrange for your furniture and belongings to be shipped over. Get a few different quotes for shipping, and make sure to check all the customs taxes, costs and rules beforehand.

4. Arrange to claim your UK pension in Ireland. You can start your claim with the International Pension Centre here.

5. Arrange to convert your UK driving licence to an Irish driving licence. Visit the National Driver Licence Service website for details on how to do this.

6. Find out if you’re eligible for free healthcare in Ireland with a medical card. The Citizens Information website is an excellent place to start.

7. Open an Irish bank account. This isn’t absolutely essential, but it could make everyday expenses such as rent and food shopping much easier. However, a bank account almost certainly won’t be the cheapest option for payments that cross borders, such as receiving your UK pension. But don’t worry - we’ll look at a cheaper alternative next.

Save on your relocation to Ireland with Wise

As you’re planning the big move, you’ll have lots of different costs to cover. For example, you’ll have shipping costs to pay for all your furniture, along with rental deposits or estate agent fees. There’ll be a lot of payments whizzing back and forth between the UK and Ireland.

If you send money to Ireland using your bank, you could get stung by high international transfer and currency conversion fees - as Ireland uses the Euro. Banks also tend to add a mark-up to the exchange rate, which further eats into your money.

But open a multi-currency account with Wise and you can send money to Ireland and all over the world for low fees and the real, mid-market exchange rate. It’s also handy for things like receiving your UK pension in Ireland, allowing you to avoid fees and poor exchange rates - so that you can make the most of your retirement income.

Plus, you can spend in Euro from the moment you arrive in Ireland using the contactless debit card available with your Wise account. This clever card automatically converts GBP to EUR (or whatever the local currency is, as it works in 200+ countries) at the fairest rate when you spend, for just a small conversion fee. So, you can cross a trip to the bureau de change off your to-do list.

Wise keeps your money protected, so you know that every penny of your hard-earned retirement money is safe.

Join Wise today

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After reading this guide, you should have all the essential info you need to plan a blissful retirement in beautiful Ireland. Just make sure to plan your budget carefully before you move, and seek financial or pensions advice if you need it. Good luck and enjoy your retirement!

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Sources used for this article:

1. CSO - UK expats living in Ireland
2. Independent.co.uk - Irish healthcare system
3. Numbeo - cost of living in Ireland
4. Gov.uk - living in Ireland

Sources checked on 29-April-2021.