Moving to Ireland: A Practical Guide to Housing, Living Costs and Work Relocations
Ireland punches well above its size as a place to work. Many international tech, pharmaceutical and financial companies run their European operations from here, and every year companies send employees and project teams over for assignments lasting anything from a few months to several years.
This guide is for people moving to Ireland for work, and for the companies organising their move. It covers what to know before you relocate, what housing really costs, how living costs vary between cities, the practical first steps and what everyday life is like.
We will be honest from the start: housing is the hardest part of moving to Ireland. Get that right, and most other things fall into place.
Moving to Ireland for Work: What to Know Before You Relocate
Ireland is English-speaking, uses the euro and is a member of the EU. For most people arriving for work, that makes the transition smoother than in many other European countries.
What you need to arrange depends mainly on two things: your nationality and how long you are staying. A three-month project and a two-year assignment are very different moves, particularly when it comes to housing. A few things are worth knowing early:
- Rents are high, especially in Dublin
- Rental homes are in short supply
- Rules depend on nationality
- Outside the cities, you may need a car
Housing in Ireland: Finding the Right Place to Live
Ireland has had a housing shortage for years, and it shows. Demand for rental homes is high in all the main cities, and new tenants pay considerably more than people who have been renting for a while.
According to the Residential Tenancies Board, the national average rent for a new tenancy was €1,839 a month in the first quarter of 2026, up 9.1% on the year before. Existing tenants paid an average of €1,513. When you are moving for work, the choice usually comes down to two options:
- Private long-term rental. Usually unfurnished, often with a 12-month lease, and competitive to secure.
- Furnished temporary accommodation. Ready from day one, with flexible terms, and a common choice for assignments and the first months of a relocation.
For fixed-term projects, many companies go straight for furnished accommodation. For longer moves, it often works as a base while the employee finds their feet and looks for something permanent.
Relocating a team? If your company is sending employees or a project team to Dublin, we can arrange furnished accommodation for everyone, with one point of contact. Request accommodation
Cost of Living in Ireland: Housing, Bills and Monthly Budgets
Living costs in Ireland depend more on where you live than on almost anything else. Groceries, transport and bills are fairly similar across the country, but rent can vary by more than €1,000 a month between Dublin and a smaller town.
What rent really costs
The Residential Tenancies Board publishes Ireland’s official rent index, based on registered tenancies. In the first quarter of 2026:
- National average, new tenancies: €1,839 a month
- National average, existing tenancies: €1,513 a month
- Dublin, existing tenancies: €1,960 a month
- Lowest average for new tenancies: €918 a month
The gap between new and existing tenancies matters if you are moving for work. As a newcomer, you will be paying new-tenancy prices, not the averages people who have rented for years are used to.
A realistic monthly budget
As a starting point, one person renting a one-bed outside a city centre should expect around €1,770 a month for rent, utilities, broadband, a mobile plan and a transport pass, based on national averages from Numbeo. In Dublin, the same budget is closer to €2,370.
How Living Costs Vary by City: Dublin, Cork, Galway and Beyond
Where you live in Ireland makes a big difference to your budget.
- Dublin. The most expensive by a clear margin. The RTB puts the average rent for existing tenancies in Dublin at €1,960, and new tenants pay around €375 a month more on top of that.
- Galway. Numbeo ranks Galway’s rents second highest of the main cities, with a lively city centre and a large university.
- Cork. Cork is Ireland’s second city, slightly cheaper than Galway on rent and home to a strong pharmaceutical and tech sector.
- Smaller towns. Much cheaper. The lowest RTB average for new tenancies in Q1 2026 was €918 a month in Lifford-Stranorlar, Donegal.
If you are moving to Dublin, our guide to living in Dublin goes into neighbourhoods, prices and commuting in detail.
Everyday Costs: Utilities, Groceries, Transport and Healthcare
Here is what everyday life typically costs, based on Numbeo:
- Utilities for a mid-sized apartment: around €217 a month
- Broadband: around €47 a month
- Mobile phone plan: around €20 a month
- Monthly public transport pass: around €96
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: around €20
- Cappuccino: around €4
Healthcare works a little differently from many European countries. Most people pay to see a GP unless they qualify for a medical card or GP visit card, and many people take out private health insurance on top of the public system.
Transport. In Dublin, the Luas trams, DART trains and buses cover most commuting needs, and a TFI Leap Card makes fares cheaper. In rural areas, public transport is thinner, and a car is often needed.
Work, Residency and Practical Steps Before Moving
The rules depend on your nationality, so always check the official guidance from Citizens Information before you go. In broad terms:
- UK citizens can live and work in Ireland under the Common Travel Area, with no permit needed.
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens have the right to live and work in Ireland.
- Other nationalities usually need an employment permit, and must register with immigration if staying longer than 90 days.
Once you arrive, the most important practical step is getting a PPS number (Personal Public Service number). You need it to work, pay tax correctly and access public services. British citizens can also use GOV.UK’s guidance on living in Ireland, which covers healthcare, driving and more.
Arranging Furnished Accommodation for a Work Relocation
For companies sending people to Ireland, housing is usually the piece that decides whether a relocation starts smoothly or not. Employees need somewhere to live from the day they land, often without having seen the city, in a market where good rentals go fast.
That is where we come in. Kassoe Housing arranges fully furnished accommodation for companies and their employees across Europe. We work from your needs: how many people, where the work is, when they arrive and how long they are staying.
Utilities, wifi and cleaning can be gathered into one bill, lease terms are flexible, and our team of administrators and local property managers handles the practical side during the stay. Whether it is a single employee or a full project team, you have one point of contact.
Read more about what we offer and who we are, or browse our locations. When you are ready, request accommodation, or send a tender request for larger or recurring needs.
Planning moves to other countries too? Read our guides to moving to Spain, moving to Portugal and the best places to live in the UK.
FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Ireland?
Rent is the biggest cost. The national average rent for a new tenancy was €1,839 a month in Q1 2026, according to the RTB. Numbeo puts utilities at around €217 a month and a monthly transport pass at around €96 (September 2026). Dublin is considerably more expensive than the rest of the country.
Is Dublin much more expensive than the rest of Ireland?
Yes. The RTB puts average rent for existing tenancies in Dublin at €1,960 a month, with new tenants paying around €375 more. Cork and Galway are cheaper, and rents in smaller towns can be less than half of Dublin’s. Everyday costs vary less between cities than rent does. Read more in our guide to living in Dublin.
Can UK citizens move to Ireland?
Yes. Under the Common Travel Area, British citizens can live and work in Ireland without a visa or employment permit. You will still need a PPS number to work and access public services. Family members who are not British or Irish citizens may need to apply for permission separately. See Citizens Information and GOV.UK for details.
How hard is it to find housing in Ireland?
It can be difficult, particularly in Dublin, Cork and Galway, where demand far outstrips supply. Many rentals are let unfurnished on 12-month leases. For work relocations, many companies arrange furnished accommodation so employees have a home from day one and time to settle in.