Living in Ireland

EU Exit updates

To keep up to date with information about EU Exit:

• read UK nationals in the EU: essential information
• read the Irish government’s website on how to prepare for the UK leaving the EU

Visas and residency

UK nationals do not need a visa or residency permit to live, work or study in Ireland. Under the Common Travel Area (CTA), UK and Irish citizens can live and work freely in each other’s countries and travel freely between them. Both the UK and Irish governments are committed to protecting the CTA regardless of the circumstances in which the UK leaves the EU. You can read our guidance on the CTA.

Irish government’s Citizens Information has advice about moving to and living in Ireland.

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Ireland. If you cannot get a passport in time for your trip, you may need to get an emergency travel document or ‘emergency passport’.

Passports and travel after EU Exit

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If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK nationals will not need visas for short stays elsewhere in the EU. You will be able to stay up to 90 days in another EUEU, EEA or EFTA country, within a 180 day period. You should retain evidence of travel (e.g. train and plane tickets), in case these are requested by national authorities. If you hold a residence permit from an EUEU, MemberEEA State,or EFTA country, you will be able to transit through other EUEU, MemberEEA Statesor EFTA countries to reach your country of residence.

This does not apply to UK nationals in Ireland. Please see Common Travel Area We will update this guidance as more information becomes available.

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Healthcare

You should look at our travel advice for Ireland.

Under the CTA, UK nationals have the right to access healthcare in Ireland. When visiting, UK nationals also have the right to access needs-arising healthcare. Both governments have committed to taking steps to ensure that this will continue after the UK leaves the EU.

More information about healthcare for UK nationals living in and visiting Ireland is available on the NHS website.

You may need to pay a fee to access public healthcare in Ireland on the same basis as Irish citizens. However, you may be eligible for a means tested medical card. If you do not qualify for a medical card on income grounds, you may qualify for a GP Visit card. You can find more information on Medical and GP Visit Cards.

You can also take out private health insurance.

You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if you live in Ireland and get an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit. You will usually be asked to produce some evidence of your entitlement to healthcare in Ireland, such as proof of property rental or ownership. If eligible, you’ll need a medical card that entitles you to receive certain health services free of charge.

You can find a list of hospitals and doctors in Ireland.

You should also check your prescriptions are legal in Ireland.

If you are visiting Ireland, it is important to take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover.

If you need emergency medical assistance, dial 999 or 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance and/or medical assistance company immediately.

Healthcare after the UK leaves the EU

Access to healthcare for UK nationals living in or visiting Ireland will not change regardless of the circumstances in which the UK leaves the EU.

Working in Ireland

Under the CTA, UK nationals do not need a visa or residency permit to live, work or study in Ireland. Both the UK and Irish governments are committed to protecting the CTA regardless of the circumstances in which the UK leaves the EU.

Some jobs may require a UK criminal records check You can also get a police certificate from the Gardaí.

You can also read the Irish government’s Citizens Information on employment.

Money and tax

UK bank cards are widely accepted for transactions in Ireland.

We recommend you get professional advice on paying tax in Ireland.

Citizens Information and Revenue.ie have more information about tax in Ireland.

Money and tax after the UK leaves the EU

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, it may become more expensive to use your UK bank card in Ireland.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you can read more about using a bank card, insurance or other financial service in the EU.

Pensions

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your pension if you are moving or retiring abroad.

If you are a UK national living in or working in Ireland, working in both the UK and Ireland, or working across the border, you are subject to only one state’s social security legislation at a time. This means you can access your pension from whichever state you are subject to the social security legislation of, regardless of where you are living.

See State Pension if you retire abroad and new State Pension.

If you have worked in Ireland, you should apply to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. If you have not worked in Ireland, you should claim your UK State Pension by contacting the International Pension Centre. If you have worked in several EU countries, see state pensions abroad.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you are getting a UK State Pension and receive a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

Pensions after the UK leaves the EU

The UK government will uprate your UK state pension for the fiscal year 2019/2020 in any scenario. The UK and Irish governments have concluded a bilateral agreement to ensure that social security rights, including access to pensions, will continue to be protected after the UK leaves the EU. This agreement also means that there will be no change to the payment of your UK state pension in Ireland. UK state pensions will continue to be paid as now, including upratings.

Benefits

If you are a UK national living in or working in Ireland, working in both the UK and Ireland, or working across the border, you are subject to only one state’s social security legislation at a time. This means you can access social security benefits from whichever state you are subject to the social security legislation of, regardless of where you are living.

You also have the right to access social security benefits on the same basis as citizens of the state you are in.

See claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad.

Find out which UK benefits you might be able to get while you’re abroad and how to claim them.

If you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks, many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit can’t be paid.

Irish benefits

The criteria to claim certain Irish social security benefits differ from those in the UK. If you meet Ireland’s five requirements for determining habitual residence then you may be eligible to claim some Irish social security benefits. For more guidance on the five requirements, you can read the Irish Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection guidance.

You can also read the Irish government’s guidance on Irish social welfare payments.

Benefits after the UK leaves the EU

The UK and Irish governments have concluded a bilateral agreement to ensure that social security rights, including access to social security benefits and entitlements, will continue to be protected after the UK leaves the EU.

The UK government will continue to pay pensions, child benefits, and disability benefits to eligible UK nationals in the EU after the UK leaves the EU Find guidance on benefits and pensions in a no deal scenario.

Driving in Ireland

If you live in Ireland, you should exchange your UK driving licence for an Irish licence before the UK leaves the EU.

If you are visiting Ireland, you can drive with your existing UK driving licence.

See driving abroad and Irish guidance on British driving licences.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Ireland

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

Driving in Ireland after EU Exit

If you live in Ireland, you should exchange your UK driving licence for an Irish licence. If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the Irish government has advised that UK driving licences for UK citizens living in Ireland will no longer be recognised. This means you will no longer be able to drive in Ireland with a UK licence. You should follow the advice of the National Driver Licence Service.

If you are visiting Ireland, the Irish government has advised that you do not need an international driving permit (IDP). If you are visiting Ireland you can continue driving with your existing UK driving licence.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you will need a motor insurance green card to prove that you have sufficient motor insurance when driving in the UK. Green cards are supplied by your insurance company. The UK has applied to rejoin the green card-free circulation zone after the UK leaves the EU. We will update this guidance when there is an agreement on this.

Pets

If you are planning to travel with a pet, consult your vet.

When the UK leaves the EU, you will still be able to travel to and from the UK with a cat, dog or ferret but the rules will change. You can read guidance on pet travel to Europe after the UK leaves the EU.

While the UK is still a Member State you will be able to travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current EU pet passport. If you are travelling with your pet for the first time you will have to visit your vet to get a pet passport.

Read guidance on Pet travel to the UK.

The Irish government has also published information on pet travel.

For moving horses and other equines read our guidance Export horses and ponies: special rules

Voting

If you are a UK national living in Ireland you are entitled to register to vote with the relevant authorities for local and national parliamentary elections in that state on the same basis as Irish citizens. You can read the Irish government’s guidance on voting in Ireland.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

Voting after the UK leaves the EU

Both the Irish and British governments have committed to ensuring that current voting arrangements will continue after the UK leaves the EU.

Births, deaths and getting married

If your child is born in Ireland, you will need to register a birth abroad.

If someone dies in Ireland you can:

• read our guidance on what to do after someone dies

• find a list of funeral directors in Ireland

Find out how to get married abroad.

You may also need to find a lawyer in Ireland.

Emergencies

You can dial the European emergency number on 112, or the national emergency number on 999. Find a list of Irish security and emergency services.

If you are the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.

Accommodation and buying property

Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.

For information on housing in Ireland, including renting and owning a home, you can look at Citizens Information on housing.

Returning to the UK

You should read our guidance on:

• returning to live in the UK
• returning to live in the UK in the case of no-deal
• bringing your family to the UK
• access to higher education, 19+ further education and apprenticeship funding
• importing vehicles back to the UK
• bringing your pet back to the UK
• checking your tax status after returning to the UK
• move your pension to the UK

Look at the Citizens Information on leaving Ireland.

Disclaimer

Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Irish authorities. The FCO will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.