Moving to Dublin for Work: The Honest Checklist Nobody Gives You

Moving to Dublin for work sounds straightforward until you actually start doing it. The relocation guides from your employer cover the basics but skip the parts that trip everyone up: the bureaucratic dependencies that block each other, the things that need to happen in a specific order, and the practical realities that nobody mentions until you're standing in a queue wondering why you didn't know about this three weeks ago. This checklist covers everything, in the order it actually needs to happen.

Table of Contents

• Before you leave: 4-6 weeks out
• Week 1 in Dublin: the critical first steps
• Weeks 2-4: getting properly set up
• Month 2 onwards: settling in
• The full checklist (printable)
• FAQ

Before You Leave: 4-6 Weeks Out

These tasks should start before you set foot in Ireland. The more you do in advance, the less chaotic your first week will be.

Book temporary accommodation for at least 2 weeks. Don't try to find a permanent place before you arrive. You need to physically view properties in Dublin, and searching remotely is both slower and riskier. An Airbnb, apart-hotel, or short-term let gives you a base of operations. Budget €80-150 per night for a private room in a central location. Some employers cover temporary accommodation as part of a relocation package. Ask.

Gather your documents. You'll need these repeatedly in your first month:

• Passport (and/or national ID card for EU citizens)
• Employment contract or job offer letter
• Proof of previous address (utility bill, bank statement)
• Previous landlord reference (if you have one)
• Employer reference on company letterhead
• University degree certificate (for visa holders)
• Digital copies of everything stored in cloud storage you can access from your phone

Start your apartment search from abroad. You won't be signing a lease remotely (and shouldn't), but understanding the market, identifying target neighbourhoods, and setting up alerts means you'll hit the ground running. Set up an Auto-Hunter search on HomeScout with your criteria so you're already seeing listings before you arrive. Read the average rent guide to calibrate your budget.

Check your visa situation. EU/EEA citizens need nothing beyond a passport. UK citizens are covered by the Common Travel Area. Everyone else needs a work permit sorted before arrival. See our visa guide for the full breakdown.

Set up a digital bank account. Open Revolut Ireland, N26, or Wise before you travel. This gives you an IBAN on day one for receiving salary and making payments while you sort out a traditional Irish bank account. See the EU citizens guide for details on the banking sequence.

Research health insurance. If your employer provides private health insurance, confirm the provider and start date. If not, your EHIC card covers emergency care initially, but you'll want to register with a GP within your first month.

Week 1 in Dublin: The Critical First Steps

Your first week sets the foundation for everything else. These tasks are time-sensitive.

Day 1: Arrive and get oriented.

• Check into your temporary accommodation
• Buy a Leap card at any convenience store or the airport (Dublin Bus, Luas, and DART all use it)
• Download the TFI Live app for real-time public transport information
• Walk or take the bus to your office to scout the commute

Day 1-2: Apply for your PPS number. This is your single highest priority. Book an appointment at your nearest Intreo Centre (Parnell Street or Gardiner Street in Dublin 1) or start the application online at MyWelfare.ie. Use your temporary accommodation address as proof of address. Bring your passport, employment contract, and proof of address.

Processing takes 2-4 weeks. Everything else (tax registration, traditional bank account) depends on this number, so don't delay.

Day 1-2: Start viewing properties. If you set up alerts before arriving, you should already have a list of properties to enquire about. Contact agents and landlords immediately. Have your documents ready to send: employment contract, ID, references. Being prepared to submit an application the same day you view gives you a significant advantage.

The Dublin rental market moves fast. Properties at reasonable prices in desirable areas often have viewings fully booked within 24 hours of listing. Don't wait until the weekend to start looking. Our tools guide covers the practical approach to searching efficiently.

Day 2-3: Start work and sort your employee setup.

• Provide your employer with your PPS number (or explain it's pending and give the application reference)
• Confirm your start date for private health insurance if provided
• Get your employee ID and any building access sorted
• Ask HR about the relocation support they offer (some companies have partnerships with relocation agencies)

Weeks 2-4: Getting Properly Set Up

With the PPS application in and your job started, the next few weeks are about converting your temporary setup into a permanent one.

Secure your apartment. Continue viewing and applying until you've signed a lease. Once you find a place:

• Read the lease carefully before signing. HomeScout's AI lease review can flag problematic clauses
• Pay the deposit (maximum one month's rent by law) and first month's rent
• Document the property condition with photos on move-in day
• Set up utilities: electricity (Electric Ireland, Bord Gais, Energia), broadband (Vodafone, Eir, Virgin Media), and confirm bin collection arrangements

When your PPS number arrives:

• Register on Revenue's myAccount system immediately at revenue.ie
• Add your employment under PAYE Services to avoid emergency tax (40% rate on most of your income)
• This is urgent. Every pay cycle on emergency tax is money you won't get back for months

Open a traditional bank account (optional but recommended). With your PPS number and proof of address (your new lease), you can now open an account with AIB, Bank of Ireland, or Permanent TSB. Not strictly necessary if Revolut is working fine, but useful for some landlords who prefer traditional bank standing orders.

Register with a GP. Search for practices accepting new patients at hse.ie. Some popular practices have waiting lists, so register early even if you're not currently ill. A GP visit costs €50-65 without a medical card. If your employer provides private health insurance, check what GP visit coverage it includes.

Month 2 Onwards: Settling In

The urgent admin is done. Now it's about settling into Dublin life properly.

Get to know your neighbourhood. Walk it at different times. Find the good coffee shop, the reliable takeaway, the nearest park. The adjustment from "I live here temporarily" to "this is my neighbourhood" takes a few weeks of deliberate exploration.

Set up a commute routine. Try different routes and modes. The optimal commute often isn't the obvious one. A back-road cycling route might beat the main road by 10 minutes. A different bus stop might have a more frequent service. Experiment in your first few weeks.

Build a social network. Dublin is generally friendly, but the rental-market grind can leave you feeling isolated in your first month. Your workplace is the obvious starting point. Meetup groups, sports clubs (GAA clubs welcome beginners), and neighbourhood events are all genuine options. The tech community in particular has regular meetups and social events.

Sort your driving licence (if applicable). EU licences are valid indefinitely in Ireland. Non-EU licence holders may need to apply for an Irish licence through the NDLS within 12 months. Check the specific rules for your licence's country of origin.

Understand your tax situation. If you're earning over €42,000 (approximate as of 2026), you're paying 40% on income above that threshold, plus USC and PRSI. Consider whether you're using all available tax credits. Medical expenses, rent tax credit (€750 per year for renters), and tuition fees are all deductible. Revenue's myAccount system lets you claim these.

The Full Checklist (Printable)

Before Departure

• Book temporary accommodation (minimum 2 weeks)
• Gather and digitise all documents
• Set up Revolut/N26/Wise account
• Set up HomeScout Auto-Hunter alerts
• Research target neighbourhoods and rent budgets
• Confirm visa/work permit status
• Confirm employer relocation support
• Check health insurance arrangements

Week 1

• Buy Leap card
• Apply for PPS number (Day 1-2)
• Start viewing properties
• Begin work and complete employee onboarding
• Start contacting agents and landlords with documents ready

Weeks 2-4

• Continue apartment viewings
• Sign lease and move in
• Set up utilities (electricity, broadband, bins)
• Register on Revenue myAccount when PPS arrives
• Add employment on Revenue to avoid emergency tax
• Open traditional bank account (optional)
• Register with a GP

Month 2+

• Explore neighbourhood properly
• Optimise commute route
• Check tax credits and deductions
• Sort driving licence if needed
• Build social connections

FAQ

How long does it take to be fully set up in Dublin?

Realistically, 4-6 weeks from arrival for the essentials (PPS number, bank account, apartment, tax registration). Full settling-in, including building a routine and social network, takes 2-3 months. Don't expect everything to be smooth immediately. The first month is admin-heavy by necessity.

What's the hardest part of relocating to Dublin?

Finding an apartment. The rental market is the single biggest source of stress for Dublin newcomers. Start early, be prepared to move fast, and don't hold out for perfection. A "good enough" apartment that you can secure quickly is better than an imaginary perfect one that you spend 6 weeks in temporary accommodation searching for.

How much money should I have saved before moving?

Budget for: 2 weeks of temporary accommodation (€1,000-2,000), first month's rent plus deposit (€3,000-4,500 for a 1-bed), and a buffer for setup costs and the gap before your first paycheque (€1,000-2,000). Total: approximately €5,000-8,500 depending on your target area.

Can I search for an apartment before I arrive?

Yes, and you should. Use HomeScout to understand the market, identify target areas, and set up alerts so you have a pipeline of properties to view from day one. Don't sign a lease remotely unless you're using a verified platform like SpotAHome. For most properties, you'll need to view in person.

What if I can't find a place in my first month?

Extend your temporary accommodation and widen your search criteria. Consider sharing initially. A room in a shared house (€800-1,200/month) is faster to secure than a full apartment and gives you a stable base while you continue searching. Many renters who are now in excellent apartments started in a shared house for their first 2-3 months.

Moving to Dublin is more admin than adventure in the first few weeks, and that's normal. The bureaucratic sequence is genuinely annoying, but it's solvable if you tackle it in order. Get the PPS application in immediately, secure your apartment as fast as the market allows, and register with Revenue the moment your number arrives. Everything else follows from there.