Living in Ireland

EUand Exitliving updates

Toin keepIreland upafter toBrexit.

You datecan with information about EU Exit:also:

• read UKLiving nationals in the EU: essentialprepare informationfor Brexit
• read the Irish government’s website on how to prepare for the UK leaving the EU

Visas and residency

UK nationalscitizens 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. YouRead can read our guidance on the CTA.

Irish government’s Citizenscitizens Informationinformation has advice about moving to and living in Ireland.

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

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) has advice on the requirements for non-EU/EEA family members of UK nationals.

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 ExitBrexit

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, nothing will change until the end of 2020. In this time you can continue to travel freely in the Schengen area with your UK passport. What happens after 2020 will form the next part of negotiations.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, under the CTA the rules for travelling or working in Ireland will not change and you will not require a visa. However there will be changes for living and working in other EU countries.

Your travel rights for Ireland are preserved under the [Common Travel Area]. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-travel-area-guidance/common-travel-area-guidance).

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK nationals will not need visas for short stays elsewhereto inother thecountries in EU. You will be able to stay up to 90 days in another EU, EEA or EFTA country, within a 180 day period. You shouldmust 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 EU, EEA or EFTA country, you will be able to transit through other EU, EEA or 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.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, new travel rules will apply. You shouldneed have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

You should checkCheck your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

Healthcare

YouRead should look at our travel advice for Ireland.

Under the CTA, UK nationalscitizens have the right to access healthcare in Ireland. When visiting, UK nationalscitizens 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.

MoreRead informationthe aboutNHS healthcareguidance foron UKaccessing nationalshealthcare 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. YouFind 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.

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

You shouldmust also check if 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 treatmenttreatment, you should contact your insurance and/or medical assistance company immediately.

Healthcare after the UK leaves the EUBrexit

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.

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

UK professionals planning to practice regulated professions in Ireland after Brexit should seek recognition of their professional qualifications before 31 Oct. Visit gov.uk for more information.

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 EUBrexit

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 willmust 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 shouldcan apply to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. If you have not worked in Ireland, you shouldcan claim your UK State Pension by contacting the International Pension Centre.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.do not.

Pensions after the UK leaves the EUBrexit

The UK government will uprate your UK stateState pensionPension 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.

SeeRead our guidance on;

• 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.them

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

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. ForRead more guidance on the five requirements, you can read the Irish Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection guidance.

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

Benefits after the UK leaves the EUBrexit

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 UKBrexit. 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 licenceone 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 ExitBrexit

If you live in Ireland, you should exchange your UK driving licence for an Irish licence.one. 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. YouFollow should follow the advice of the National Driver Licence Service.

IfThe you are visiting Ireland, the Irish government has advised that you dowill not need an international driving permit (IDP).(IDP) Ifif you are visitingmaking Irelanda youshort canvisit continueto drivingIreland. You will be able to drive with your existing UK driving licence.

IfIrish theinsured UKvehicles leavesdo thenot EU without a deal, you will need a motor insurance green card toas proveevidence thatof you have sufficient motor insurance whento drivingdrive 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.vet four months before you travel.

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. YouRead can read guidance on pet travel to Europe after the UK leaves the EU.

While the UK is still a Membermember Stateof the EU, 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 willmust haveconsult toa visitvet youron vetthe toappropriate gettests aand petdocumentation passport.before you travel.

Read guidance on Petpet travel to the UK.

The Irish government has also published information on pet travel.

For moving horses and other equinesequines, read our guidance Exportexport 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 EUBrexit

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

*read our bereavement pack

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

YouRead should read our guidance on:

• returning

  access to livebenefits inand theservices UK

• returning to live in the UK inif thethere caseis ofa no-dealno 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.