Returning to Ireland from within the European Union (EU)
- Introduction
- Working when you are back
- Your driving licence
- The Irish healthcare system
- Finding somewhere to live
- Education in Ireland
- More information
Introduction
When returning to Ireland from a member state of the European Union (EU), you may have some questions. For example, you might have a job elsewhere in the EU that lets you work remotely here in Ireland and are wondering about paying tax. You might also need help figuring out how to find accommodation or navigate the healthcare system.
This page provides practical information when planning a move back to Ireland from within the EU.
Working when you are back
Remote working for a company in another EU member state
You may have a job with a company in another EU member state that allows you to work remotely from Ireland. If this is the case, the work you do in Ireland for a company in the EU is taxed under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system.
This means your employer in another EU member state may have to register in Ireland and deduct the following from your wages:
Read chapter 3 of Revenue’s PAYE guide (pdf) for examples of situations involving working for foreign companies while living in Ireland that may match your circumstances.
If you have questions relating to PAYE and your employment, contact Revenue through the Jobs and pensions helpline for non-residents.
How do Irish taxes work?
In Ireland, the percentage of tax you pay depends on your income. You can see examples of how to calculate income tax and there is also a graph showing the standard rate cut-off points for 2025.
Learn more about how your income tax is calculated.
If you are married or in a civil partnership, it may affect your tax bands and tax reliefs. Read more about taxation of married people and civil partners.
Looking for a job when you are back in Ireland
If you are unemployed when you return to Ireland, you can access employment services for jobseekers. Once you are back, contact your local Intreo Centre for help. They offer advice about looking for work, information on job vacancies, and income support.
Check the Jobs Ireland website for jobs, internships, and employment programmes that are available in Ireland. You can upload your CV so employers can access it and contact you directly.
Jobs Ireland also has a tips and advice page to help you with:
- Preparing your CV
- Writing a cover letter
- Completing an application form
- Preparing for interviews
To access the full service, you need to create a Jobs Ireland account using your basic MyGovID.
Your driving licence
If you are returning with a driving licence issued by another EU member state, you can drive in Ireland with your current licence as long as it is valid, or you can exchange it.
If you want to exchange that licence for an Irish driving licence when it expires, you must do so within 10 years of your driving licence expiring.
The Irish healthcare system
Public health services in Ireland are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Public healthcare services
The HSE delivers health and personal social services through medical professionals and hospitals and through a network of Local Health Offices, health centres, and clinics at the community level.
You are entitled to public health services free of charge or at a reduced cost if:
- You have been living in Ireland for at least a year
- You plan to live here for at least a year
This is called being ‘ordinarily resident’ in Ireland.
Learn more about how to find a GP in Ireland and accessing health services when you return to Ireland.
Private healthcare services
Individual health professionals and healthcare companies provide private healthcare services in Ireland. Typically, you pay the full cost of private healthcare services, but you can buy private health insurance to help cover the cost.
Learn more about which companies offer private health insurance in Ireland on our page about how private health insurance works.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your current EU country of residence, make sure to bring it with you to Ireland. With it, you can access public healthcare in Ireland for free or at a reduced rate.
Find out what the EHIC covers in Ireland.
You may have to pay for some health services in Ireland that you accessed elsewhere in the EU for free. For example, people in Ireland generally pay a fee for GP (doctor) appointments. However, you can attend your GP for free if you qualify for a medical card or GP visit card.
Find more information about:
Your medical records from abroad
Before coming back, ask your doctor for copies of your:
- Medical records
- Prescriptions
- Immunisation records
It will be easier to access the healthcare you need in Ireland if you have all the necessary medical documents from the EU country (or countries) you lived in.
If you have been seeing a consultant or specialist in a hospital abroad, ask them to send a copy of your records to your GP in Ireland. If you are not registered with a GP in Ireland yet, you can have these records transferred after you have registered with one.
Finding somewhere to live
Renting
If you are planning to rent, you can find out what to consider before looking for somewhere to rent in Ireland.
Learn more about your rights and responsibilities when renting in Ireland.
Visit our page that covers looking for a flat or house to rent.
Buying a home
There are several steps in the process of buying a home in Ireland. Before deciding to buy, make sure you have done the following:
Find out what you can afford
Make a budget, and include insurance, legal fees, monthly mortgage payments, and stamp duty.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has a budget planner that you can use to see how much you can afford each month.
Learn more in our step-by-step guide to buying a home.
Get a solicitor
While looking for a property, you should hire a solicitor to do the conveyancing. This is the legal work involved in buying or selling property.
Conveyancing charges can vary between solicitors, so it is worth contacting several to compare prices. You can use the Law Society’s website to find a solicitor near you.
Get mortgage approval
There are different types of mortgages and mortgage providers in Ireland. You should contact several different mortgage providers to find out who can offer you the best deal.
You can also use the CCPC’s mortgage calculator to check what your monthly repayments will be. The amount will depend on:
- The amount you borrow
- How long the mortgage lasts
- The interest rate
Read more about taking out a mortgage.
Education in Ireland
The Irish education system includes:
If you will be returning home to Ireland with children, read about the process for enrolling them in primary and secondary school.
Before beginning the process, it will be helpful to familiarize yourself with how schools in Ireland admit students.
Higher and further education
A wide range of colleges and universities provide third-level education in Ireland. If you are thinking about going to college, you can search the Qualifax website for details on courses.
Generally, applications for undergraduate courses in Ireland are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO). You can find more information about applying and supports on our pages covering:
If you think you might qualify for a grant, you can read more about:
More information
Visit our Returning to Ireland portal for more information to plan your journey.
If you have family members returning with you, visit our pages on: