Moving to Ireland from the USA
Thinking of moving to Ireland? Ar fheabhas (Excellent)! You’re going to love it, from the stunning scenery to the lovely locals. Its reputation as the land of 100,000 welcomes is fully justified.
Whether you’re moving to Ireland alone, or moving to Ireland with a family, we’ve got you covered – right through from healthcare to where you should live.
We can also offer you free quotes for shipping your possessions. If you fill in the form above, you can see how much moving your life to Ireland would cost.
Dunguaire Castle is one of many glorious attractions in Ireland
7 quick facts about Ireland
- Ireland’s healthcare system is the 11th-best in the world – 18 places above the US
- The Irish consume the world’s second-highest amount of tea, per person
- Ireland was the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by a popular vote
- Irish people have won 11 Nobel Laureates – twice as many as the US, per person
- A lone hawthorn or ash tree in a field is known as a fairy tree in Celtic folklore – the gateway between our world and theirs
- Irish nationals come from exactly 200 countries
- The country’s won the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other
Cost of shipping to Ireland from the US
We’ve calculated the average international shipping rates for some of our most sought-after journeys from major US cities to popular destinations in Ireland.
Bear in mind these are estimates only. If you’d like a more accurate idea of how much shipping to Ireland will cost you, just pop your details into this form, and our suppliers will get back to you.
| Route | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York to Dublin | $872 | 9.3 days |
| Houston to Limerick | $1,426 | 14.5 days |
| Los Angeles to Galway | $2,674 | 23.5 days |
Please note: these container shipping costs exclude typical add-ons such as door-to-door delivery, professional packing/unpacking, and basic insurance cover. Our shipping suppliers normally incorporate these services into their prices, so expect some discrepancy between the rates given here and the quotes you receive. These estimates should be used as an indication only.
The rates are sourced from WorldFreightRates.com, and are based on the port-to-port transportation of a 20ft container of used furniture worth £41,056 ($56,400) – the typical value of the contents of a three-bedroom house (according to Admiral Insurance).
The durations are sourced from Searates.com.
This information was last updated in April 2021.
Cost of flying goods to Ireland from the US
While air freight is undoubtedly faster than other methods, it’s also 12-16 times more expensive than shipping your possessions, as per The World Bank – and in this specific case, shipping could save you up to $1,570.
| Route | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York to Dublin | $2,442 | 6 hours |
| Houston to Limerick | $2,442 | 9 hours |
| Los Angeles to Galway | $2,442 | 10 hours |
These rates are also sourced from WorldFreightRates.com.
They’re based on the airport-to-airport transportation of much lighter goods – 250kg of household goods, to be precise, worth $56,400 – from New York City, Houston, and Los Angeles to Dublin, Limerick, and Galway.
The durations are sourced from Searates.com.
History can be discovered around every corner in Dublin
Healthcare in Ireland
Ireland has a public healthcare system, run since 2005 by the government-funded Health Service Executive (HSE), alongside private care options.
You and your family can benefit from public care services if you’ve lived in Ireland for a year or longer – or if you manage to convince the authorities that you intend to do so.
There are three tiers of public healthcare you can belong to, based largely on how much you earn. If you want to learn more about how they work, check out our guide to Healthcare in Ireland.
Before your big move to Ireland, it’s wise to consider whether you’ll need medical cover for when you’re out there.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Cigna for private medical insurance in Ireland. With four levels of annual cover to choose from and extra modules for more flexibility, Cigna will sort you out with a plan that suits your needs.
Start building a customised plan with a free quote to protect your most important assets – you and your family.
Cost of living in Ireland
| Good / service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| A pint of beer | $5.98 |
| A monthly gym subscription | $51.07 |
| 1 litre of petrol | $1.67 |
| A bottle of wine | $11.96 |
| 1 litre of milk | $1.22 |
| Loaf of bread | $1.75 |
| 12 eggs | $3.48 |
| Single ticket on public transport | $3.11 |
| 1-bedroom flat monthly rent | $1,271 |
| 3-bedroom flat monthly rent | $2,064 |
(Data sourced from Numbeo)
Transferring money to Ireland
If you’re thinking of moving to Ireland, you’ll probably need to convert some of your American dollars into euros.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with Wise, an easy-to-use online international money transfer service which uses the real exchange rate, and charges low fees.
How much could you save? Well, its service can be up to 8x cheaper than high street banks.
Join more than 7 million people and start using Wise today.
Getting a work visa for Ireland
After you’ve received your job offer, you need to apply for permission to work in Ireland.
When you reach the border, you’ll need to prove to an immigration officer that you have a proper reason to enter the country. Bring your passport, your original employment contract, and the other documents laid out on the government’s Employment Permits page.
Once you’re in Ireland, apply for permission to stay in the country and register with the immigration authorities. Do this before the date on the stamp left inside your passport by a border officer, or risk being forced to leave Ireland.
If you want to learn more, check out our guide to visas for living and working in Ireland.
Average salary in Ireland
The average annual salary in Ireland is €40,283 ($48,490), according to the Central Statistics Office.
Income tax in Ireland
Ireland has two income tax bands: the standard rate of tax, and the higher rate of tax.
The standard rate is 20%, meaning that everything you earn up to a certain annual salary level is taxed at that rate.
If you’re a single person, that level is €35,300 ($42,450) – and then whatever you’re lucky enough to earn above that amount is taxed at 40%.
| Personal situation | 20% tax payable on | 40% tax payable on |
|---|---|---|
| Single person | €35,300 ($42,450) | All earnings above the 20% level |
| One parent family | €39,300 ($47,260) | All earnings above the 20% level |
| Married couple/civil partners with one income | €44,300 ($53,280) | All earnings above the 20% level |
| Married couple/civil partners with two incomes | €44,300 ($53,270) + the lower of the following: • €26,300 ($31,630) • The salary of the partner with the smaller income | All earnings above the 20% level |
Job-hunting in Ireland
If you need to find a job in Ireland before you move, there are lots of sites you can use to seek out that perfect role.
Look through the imaginatively named Jobs.ie and IrishJobs.ie, before moving onto sites which help people find roles across the UK and Ireland, including Monster and Indeed.
Climate in Ireland
Ireland is a mild but rainy island, with warm summers and cold winters.
In January and February – the coldest months – you can expect temperatures to generally hover around 39 to 45°F, while the hottest months of July and August will see the thermometer reach as high as 68°F.
You can expect at least 150 days of rain per year if you live in Dublin or another eastern city, and up to 225 days in parts of the west.
There is sunshine, but not as much as you might be used to – Dublin gets 1,453 hours of sun per year, which places it below most major American cities.
Does it snow in Ireland?
Yes – but if you don’t live in a hilly or mountainous area, you probably won’t see it.
If it does ever snow near your new home in Ireland, it’ll likely be a light dusting that’ll melt before the next morning.
The best places to live in Ireland
Though Dublin is the most well-known place in Ireland – and the most popular destination for expats – there are countless welcoming towns and cities to live in across the island. Let’s run through a few of them – while still including the capital, of course.
Skerries: best for families
This picturesque eastern coastal town is delightful, with brightly coloured houses at the centre of an old fishing port that now plays its part in making this area a resort destination.
Take the kids to the beach, where they can go kayaking, paragliding, or sailing; cycle to bask in the dramatic sight of Ardgillan Castle, or go see local sports club Skerries Harps play Gaelic football and hurling.
This County Fingal town is also home to high-quality schools for all ages – and if you want to liven up your weekends, Dublin is only 40 minutes away.
Killarney: best for nature lovers
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to naturally beautiful places in Ireland, but Killarney in southwestern County Kerry leaves the rest in its dust.
The city boasts the oldest national park in Ireland, with 26,000 acres of gorgeous scenery that features deer, pine martens, and bats, as well as stunning lakes and the biggest mountain in the country, the kilometre-high Carrauntoohil.
Dublin: best for work
As with so many countries, the best employment opportunities are in the capital.
Dublin is a hive of industry, earning Ireland more than half of its total GDP, and it has the job openings to match. Everything is more expensive in the fair city, but the salaries are higher too.
And once you’re done with work, there’s nowhere more exciting to be on the island.
Next steps
You’re now prepared to enjoy all the wonders that Ireland has to offer – from its jaw-dropping landscapes and fascinating, still-visible history, to its friendly, welcoming people and universal healthcare system.
You can take the next step by filling in this form for free shipping quotes from trusted specialists, who can move your belongings to your new home.