Cost of Living & Helpful Facts about Life in Ireland

Jump right in:

• Practical information 
• Cost of living
• Culture & social etiquette
• Driving in Ireland
• Public transport in Ireland

Practical information

Emergency Numbers

• 112 or 999 – emergency medical assistance
• 101 – non-emergency police

Public Holidays

• New Year’s Day (1 January)
• First Monday in February (1 February if the date falls on a Friday)
• Saint Patrick’s Day (17 March)
• Easter Monday (date varies)
• First Monday in May
• First Monday in June
• First Monday in August
• Last Monday in October
• Christmas Day (25 December)
• Saint Stephen’s Day (26 December)

Main embassies

While the majority of embassies and consulates are in Dublin, a number also have representatives in Galway and Limerick. For a list of embassies in Ireland, please see the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website.

Main airports

The largest airport in Ireland is the Dublin Airport, which services around 30 million travelers annually. By comparison, other airports throughout the country are quite small, but it is still possible to fly in and out of them regularly. Other airports in the country include:

• Cork Airport
• Shannon Airport
• Ireland West Airport (County Mayo)
• Kerry Airport
• Donegal Airport
• Connemara Airport

Cost of living

Ireland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to live in, especially in cities like Dublin and Cork. According to Eurostat data, it’s the second most expensive country in the EU. However, local salaries are relatively high, which often helps to offset the living costs.

Living expenses in Ireland

As with any country, living in bigger cities will be more expensive. This is mostly due to the cost of housing you will find within cities. Read on for a closer look at everyday expenses in Ireland.

Grocery Prices in Ireland

Restaurant costs in Ireland

• For one person, it is possible to find quick, cheap meals at restaurants or cafes cost around 10–15 EUR (11–17 USD).
• A meal at a mid-range restaurant will be about 40 EUR (47 USD).
• The cost of an espresso is about 3 EUR (3.45 USD) and a cappuccino is 3.80 EUR (4.40 USD).

What is the monthly cost of living in different Irish cities?

While all of Ireland provides a great quality of life, there are a few cities that are especially popular among expats.

The most popular Irish cities for expats include:

• Cork
• Dublin
• Galway
• Limerick
• Waterford

Here are the average living costs (excluding rent) in different Irish cities, for a single person.

For a family of four

How much is rent in Ireland’s main cities?

Rent prices in Ireland’s most popular cities for expats will mirror the cost of living.

One-bedroom apartment

Three-bedroom apartment

Utility Costs in Ireland: Electricity, Internet, Gas, and Water

While it is possible to rent accommodation in Ireland where the utilities are included in the price, it is still good to know what utilities cost to ensure you are not paying more than you should. In general, a combination of electric, heating, gas, and water will cost between 200–250 EUR (230–290 USD) depending on where you live in the country. Basic internet around the country should cost about 50 EUR (55 USD) per month.

For more information on accommodation and utilities in Ireland, see our Housing section.

Cost of Education

Public education in Ireland is free. Parents will only need to pay for uniforms, lunches, and school materials. These costs will vary and depend on the school and what you prefer to spend. Education at a private or international school will incur a tuition fee for both Irish locals and recently arrived expats. Annual tuition will depend on the school and your child’s age, but on average parents can expect to spend about 5,000–10,000 EUR (5,700–11,500 USD) per child. See our Education section for more details.

Healthcare Cost

Ireland’s healthcare is universal, although that does not mean it is free for everyone. Even when using the country’s public healthcare system, which is available to all residents and non-residents, you should expect to pay some sort of fee. Healthcare costs are fully covered only for Medical Card holders.

You can read more about this in our Healthcare section.

On average:

• a single doctor’s visit will be about 50 EUR (55 USD)
• emergency department visit without a referral is 100 EUR (116 USD)
• private insurance can be anywhere between 500–4,000 EUR (585–4,675 USD)

Travel and Transportation Cost

Most of the public transport systems within each Irish city are accessible by the Leap system, which can be used as a physical card or through a mobile app on your phone. Single fare costs for a bus or train is typically around 2 EUR (2.20 USD).

For more, see our section on Public Transportation in Ireland below.

Culture & social etiquette

When relocating to a new country, it is important to understand the cultural norms and social etiquette expected in your new home. Here are a few customs and expectations that are unique to Ireland.

Religion

Ireland has deep Catholic roots, and the Church historically played a major role in education, healthcare, and politics. However, Irish society has become increasingly secular in recent decades. Ireland’s social attitudes have also shifted, although Catholic traditions continue to shape aspects of daily life and culture.

As in any country, it’s best to approach discussions about religion with respect and awareness of differing views.

Humor

Humor plays a big role in everyday Irish conversation. There are even two words for this: craic, which means having a quick wit, and slagging, which refers to teasing. The Irish will constantly make quick witted remarks and jokes in casual conversation. Depending on the country you come from, this could be seen as rude, aggressive, or not taking something seriously. In Ireland, this is not the case. The Irish have a long, rich history of storytelling, and this will become evident with the engaging, humorous banter that is in nearly every conversation.

Greetings

The most customary greeting to give in Ireland is a strong handshake with direct eye contact. Friends and family often greet each other with a hug or a kiss on the cheek.

Buying rounds

Ireland is famous for its whiskey and Guinness, so it’s no surprise that sharing a drink is part of Irish social culture. When drinking in a group, it’s traditional to buy drinks in rounds. Each person takes a turn paying for the group’s next round. If you don’t want to join in, it’s polite to simply opt out rather than accept a drink and not reciprocate. In larger groups, people often form smaller circles to keep the custom manageable.

An Irish goodbye

An “Irish goodbye” is world renowned as slipping away from a social event without a word to everyone. This is not meant to be rude; rather, it is a time saver. This is often viewed as a practical way to avoid lengthy farewells in large groups but in smaller, more intimate gatherings it may still be better to say a brief farewell to the host. As an expat, it is best to put up with the long hellos and goodbyes when you first arrive in Ireland. You can begin practicing your Irish goodbyes once you have lived in the country for a while and established solid friendships with people who know that your tendency to disappear is not rude; it is simply you acclimating to that culture.

Taboos

• Avoid discussing politics or religion as these topics can be sensitive and personal.
• You should not refer to Ireland as part of the UK as this is a common misconception.
• Do not refer to people from the Republic of Ireland as British.
• Making a V with your index and middle finger, while showing the back of your hand, is a rude gesture.
• It is recommended to avoid a lot of touching and public displays of affection, especially in more traditional or rural areas.

Driving in Ireland

Driving in Ireland is a great way to see the country. Known for its expansive scenery and quaint small towns, having access to a car will help you experience your new Irish home on a more intimate level.

Driving with a foreign license

If you’re moving to Ireland and already hold a driving license, depending on where your license is from you may be able to use it.

• If your license is from an EU or EEA country, you can drive in Ireland as long as it’s valid.
• Ireland has exchange agreements with the following countries and territories: * Australia * Canada (some provinces) * Georgia * Gibraltar * Guernsey * Isle of Man * Japan * Jersey * New Zealand * South Africa * South Korea * Switzerland * Taiwan * UK * Northern Ireland

You can drive for up to one year and if you become a resident, you should exchange your license for an Irish one.

• If your license is from a country not listed above, you can drive in Ireland for up to 12 months as a visitor. After that, you’ll need to apply for an Irish license by completing the full licensing process.

How to exchange a foreign license

You can apply online or in person at an NDLS center.

You need to provide the following:

• a Public Services Card (PSC) and verified MyGovID
• current EU/EEA license
• proof of address (if different from the one on PSC)
• proof that you’re normally resident in Ireland
• a medical or eyesight report, if required
• completed Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), if required
• 65 EUR (75 USD) application fee (free if aged 70 or older)

How to get a driving license in Ireland

If your country is not part of the exchange program or if you don’t already have a driving licence, you will have to apply for an Irish driving license as if you are a new driver. This means you will need to pass a theory test, apply for a learner’s permit, and complete an Essential Driver Training (EDT) programme . In most cases, you must have your learner’s permit for six months before taking the driving test. This whole process can take over half a year or more.

You can apply for the drivers license online or by booking an appointment at NDLS center.

You’ll need to provide:

• a Public Services Card (PSC) and verified MyGovID
• proof of address
• proof that you’re normally resident in Ireland
• a medical or eyesight report, if required
• 65 EUR (75 USD) application fee (free if aged 70 or older)

Driving rules in Ireland

An important rule to remember is that driving in Ireland is on the left side of the road. Speed limit signs are posted clearly, and speed detection can often be captured by videos and cameras. The average speed in Ireland is as follows:

• motorways: 120 km/h
• national roads: 100 km/h
• regional and local roads: 80 km/h
• urban areas: 50 km/h
• residential areas: 30 km/h

Motorways and national routes will be designated by a large M or N next to a number.

Other driving rules in Ireland

• The legal limit for alcohol is 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
• The minimum age to drive in Ireland depends on the type of vehicle you drive. For example, you can drive certain types of motorcycles as young as 16 years old. For standard cars such as sedans, you must be 17.
• On multi-lane roads, cars must stay in the left lane unless they are passing another car.

Renting a car

If you intend to drive a rental car in Ireland, note that manual transmission is the most common type of car in Ireland. If you prefer an automatic, these will be more expensive and only subject to availability. Be sure to guarantee with your rental company that they have a rental car available for you.

Some rental companies either do not rent to drivers under the age of 25 or may charge an extra fee. To book a rental car, you should only need the following:

• your driver’s license (either Irish or international)
• proof of identity
• a credit card

All rental cars in Ireland include Third-Party Liability Insurance, you can also purchase additional insurances.

Some rental car companies and apps you can check out:

• Budget
• Europcar
• Enterprise
• Freenow
• GoCar
• Easirent

Public Transport in Ireland

Ireland’s public transportation is easy and convenient to use. All public transportation in Ireland is above ground, which makes it an ideal way not just to get around, but to see everything the country has to offer as well.

How is public transport in Ireland?

Buses: They are the most common mode of transport. All major cities have local bus networks. Bus Éireann operates services across most urban areas and intercity routes, while Dublin Bus handles routes within the capital.

Trams and rail in Dublin: Dublin is the only city with a tram system called the LUAS, which has two main lines covering central and suburban areas. The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is a separate commuter rail line that runs along the coast from Malahide to Greystones.

Trains: National rail services are provided by Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann). You can use Irish Rail to travel from a city to its outskirts, or across the whole country.

Cost of public transport

Most of the public transportation networks in Ireland operate through the Leap card, which acts as your ticket. The card can be purchased once and recharged for continued use. It is also possible to use Leap as an app and use your phone to access buses and trams. Leap fares will vary depending on each city and where you want to go within that city. 

For example:

• Within central Dublin (Zone 1), a single adult ticket will be 1.50 EUR (1.75 USD) or 2 EUR (2.30 USD)

There are also daily, weekly and monthly tickets:

• Daily tickets range from 6 EUR (7 USD) to 16,80 EUR (20 USD)
• Weekly tickets start at around 24 EUR (28 USD) and go up to about 67,20 EUR (78 USD)
• Monthly tickets range between 96–235 EUR (110–270 USD)

For more fare details, you can check the Transport for Ireland website.

Bike Shares

Bike sharing is another popular form of public transportation in Ireland.

• TFI Bikes, part of the Transport for Ireland network, operates in Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford. Bikes can be rented from docking stations throughout the cities using the TFI Bikes App. You can have day or annual passes.
• In Dublin, the main city-run scheme is Dublin Bikes. You can buy a 1-day, 3-day, or annual pass, and even link your Leap Card to your Dublin Bikes account.
• Another option in Dublin is Bleeper. It’s a stationless bike-sharing system. Bikes can be unlocked via the Bleeper app and left at any public cycle parking area.
• You can also use MOBY in several Irish cities.

Taxis

Taxis in Ireland can be hailed on the street, booked via app, or found at taxi stands. Fares are regulated by the National Transport Authority (NTA). Popular taxi-booking services include:

• Freenow
• Uber
• Bolt
• Lynk (Dublin)
• Big O Taxis (Galway)

Carsharing

There are also carsharing services such as:

• YUKÕ Toyota
• Hertz
• Bolt Drive
• Freenow