Ireland
Ireland · Capital: Dublin
Ireland is the English-speaking gateway to the EU, home to the European HQs of global tech and pharma. The Critical Skills Employment Permit fast-tracks in-demand roles toward residence, and EU citizens move freely. Strong salaries and job growth come with a notoriously tight housing market.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Ireland.
Policy overview
7 visa routes into Ireland
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
CSEP
Fast-track permit for in-demand occupations, with immediate family reunification and a quick route to long-term residence.
Eligibility
- Job offer in a critical-skills occupation
- Salary of at least EUR 40,904 from 1 March 2026
- Relevant degree or experience
- 2-year contract
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
GEP
Employer-sponsored permit for a broader range of eligible roles, subject to a labour-market needs test.
Eligibility
- Job offer from an Irish employer
- Salary of at least EUR 36,605 from 1 March 2026
- Labour-market needs test (most roles)
- Stamp 4 residence possible after 5 years
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Background
EU/EEA Free Movement
Permanent residencyEU/EEA
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens can live and work in Ireland without a permit. Irish & UK citizens share the Common Travel Area.
Eligibility
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship
- Register residence as needed
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Start-up Entrepreneur Programme
EntrepreneurSTEP
Residence for founders of innovative, high-potential startups with funding and a scalable business.
Eligibility
- High-potential innovative startup
- Funding of at least €50,000
- Scalable, export-oriented business
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Visa
StudentStudent
Study at an Irish institution with a Third Level Graduate Scheme allowing up to 2 years' post-study work.
Eligibility
- Acceptance from a recognised institution
- Proof of funds
- Private health insurance
- EUR 60 visa fee plus EUR 300 residence permit (IRP) registration
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Visa (Stamp 2)
StudentIE-STU
Study at an accredited institution, usually with limited work rights and a post-study route.
Eligibility
- Acceptance from an approved institution
- Proof of funds for tuition + living costs
- Health cover
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Join Family / Spouse
FamilyIE-FAM
Join a spouse, partner or close family member who is a citizen or resident.
Eligibility
- Genuine relationship to a citizen/resident
- Sponsor meets income/housing rules
- Relationship evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Ireland, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Ireland needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Technology
EU tech HQs create deep demand on the critical-skills list.
Healthcare
Health roles are a standing critical-skills priority.
Pharma & biotech
A global pharma manufacturing base needs process and QA talent.
Finance
Funds and fintech sustain finance demand in Dublin.
Construction
Housing shortages drive construction-skills demand.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Dublin
Tech EU HQsEuropean HQs for the biggest tech firms; great jobs, but a tight, expensive housing market.
- Cost index
- 82
- 1-bed rent
- $2,200
- Quality
- 79
Cork
Pharma & techA friendly, more affordable second city with pharma and tech employers.
- Cost index
- 70
- 1-bed rent
- $1,600
- Quality
- 81
Galway
Coastal college townA vibrant, walkable west-coast university city with a strong arts scene.
- Cost index
- 68
- 1-bed rent
- $1,500
- Quality
- 82
Limerick
Affordable & investingA more affordable city attracting tech and medtech investment around its university.
- Cost index
- 62
- 1-bed rent
- $1,300
- Quality
- 78
Waterford
Sunny south-east valueIreland's oldest and sunniest city, calm and notably affordable.
- Cost index
- 58
- 1-bed rent
- $1,150
- Quality
- 78
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in Ireland.
Mixed public-private; many take private insurance to cut waiting times.
Free primary/secondary and strong, English-language universities.
High, Dublin housing is a serious crunch.
Good fibre in cities; rural broadband improving.
Mild and very green; frequent rain, gentle temperatures.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendOpen and English-speaking, though a housing crunch has fuelled some recent tension.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Generally safe; some anti-social behaviour in parts of central Dublin.
Higher = safer (crime index 38/100).
Where to live
Which Ireland city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Cork
Relaxed second city
A friendly, more affordable second city with pharma and tech employers.
Dublin
Big-tech in English
European HQs for the biggest tech firms; great jobs, but a tight, expensive housing market.
Galway
Artsy Atlantic city
A vibrant, walkable west-coast university city with a strong arts scene.
Waterford
Quiet heritage city
Ireland's oldest and sunniest city, calm and notably affordable.
Limerick
Riverside revival
A more affordable city attracting tech and medtech investment around its university.
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