Living In Dublin: The Ultimate Guide For Expats

Planning in living in Dublin?

Dublin, Ireland’s capital, is located on the east coast of the country. It is the country’s economic and cultural center, with a population of 580,000 people. Dublin being the Irish capital may appear to be a large city.

However, with its walkable center, plenty of green spaces, old churches, castles, and historic buildings – Dublin feels more like a small town with a river running through it. This diverse environment and rich culture make Dublin so attractive to those looking for a different city to move into and work.

Living In Dublin: The Ultimate Guide For Expats

If you’re thinking about living and working in Dublin, here’s a guide to help you plan that big move – from visa application to finding a job to how much it costs to live in Dublin.

Why Move to Dublin?

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If you are considering relocating to the Emerald Isle and its capital, you should learn all of the facts before making the move. This is to avoid any surprises, catches, or disappointments. A good place to start would be to look into the benefits and drawbacks of living in Dublin.

Pros of Living in Dublin

It’s a fun, exciting place with a lot to offer – There is plenty to see and do in Dublin, from pubs and bars to museums and cultural gems. Exploring Dublin’s pub scene is a great way to meet locals, and culture and history buffs will fall in love with the city’s rich heritage.
Dublin has a distinct culture – Dublin culture is diverse, as the city is home to artists and poets, playwrights and musicians, scholars, and interesting personalities.

There are numerous ways to immerse in this city’s unique culture, such as visiting the Guinness Storehouse, the James Joyce Museum, or taking the Viking Splash Tour.

The Dubliners – The open, good-natured, and friendly people who live in Dublin are without a doubt the city’s greatest asset. No other city on the planet compares to Dublin in terms of the number of people who will happily converse with a stranger about any aspect of life, whether it’s a shop cashier to city bus drivers and everyone in between.
Its perfect Location – Dublin’s ideal location, at the mouth of the Liffey on the coast of the Irish Sea, provides its inhabitants with access to a diverse range of landscapes to discover.
Dublin is Fun-Sized – Dublin is a compact city, so you can walk from one end to the other in no time. Since there is little need to take public transportation around Dublin, living in a small city like it allows residents to easily reduce city carbon emissions.
The Food – Ireland’s rich soil and the Atlantic rain clouds that water it produces some of the best-quality Irish beef, rich, earthy potatoes, and succulent strawberries in summer, all considered to be among the best in the world.Along with the fine quality of the produce, the Dublin food scene has also exploded in terms of variety and sophistication in recent years. Dublin is now home to restaurants serving international cuisine, some of them with Michelin stars.
Cheaper medical and educational expenses – Most schools in Dublin provide free or low-cost primary, secondary, and even college education. Applying for grants is also easier, so there are no people here who have been indebted to their schools for years because of student loans.

The same is true for medical expenses: if you qualify for a medical card in Ireland, you are completely exempt from paying any medical fees.

Cons of Living in Dublin

Traffic Congestion – Get rid of your car, reduce your carbon footprint, take a DART or Luas (not a Dublin Bus, as mentioned above), or simply walk. Dublin’s traffic congestion is at an all-time high, and it is without a doubt the worst in Ireland.
Dublin is an expensive city – Dublin is ridiculously expensive to live in, it is even more expensive to live in than London!

Taking general day-to-day living costs into account,Dublin is 18% more expensive than Cork and 45% more expensive than Belfast!

Expensive apartments – There is much to like about living in Dublin, but one of the city’s drawbacks is the often exorbitant cost of housing.
It’s Always Raining – You’re bound to get fed up with Dublin’s famously wet climate at some point, and if you’re from a warmer climate, you are particularly likely to yearn for a bit of sunshine.
Things close early, and on Sundays – Dublin is not a city that operates around the clock. While the city center is becoming more accustomed to a late-night, 24/7 lifestyle, many establishments in villages outside of the city center will close early on weekdays and be dead quiet on a Sunday.

Resident Visa Options (For long term stays)

Foreign nationals who are required to obtain an Irish visa and wish to stay in the country for more than 90 days must secure an Ireland Long Stay Visa.

Also referred to as a “D” visa, the Ireland Long Stay Visa is issued to foreign nationals who want to go to Ireland. This visa is specifically intended for those who want to stay in Ireland long-term, such as for studying, being with a family member, or for work.

The type of long-term visa you need to apply for is determined by the reason you want to live in Ireland. The different types of “D” visas are:

Ireland Study Visa – If you wish to travel to Ireland to study in a higher educational institution or a study program that is on the Interim List of Eligible Programs (ILEP), this is the visa that you need to secure
Ireland Work Visa – Got a job offer in Ireland? Do you already have a contract for employment there? The Irish work visa is what you need to travel to Ireland.
Ireland Family Reunification Visa – A major requirement to acquire this visa is that you must have a family member already living in Dublin or anywhere in Ireland.
Ireland Working Holiday Visa – If you are a citizen of a country that has a Working Holiday agreement with Ireland, then applying for this visa should be a breeze.
Ireland Internship Visa – If your purpose for traveling to Ireland is to work as a paid intern and you have all the necessary documents to prove it, then this is the visa you should apply for.
Ireland Researcher Visa – You may also apply for an Ireland researcher visa if you are traveling to Ireland to work as a researcher. This kind of visa also requires a hosting agreement.
Minister of Religion Visa – If you wish to go to Ireland to work as a Minister of Religion for a qualified religious body or faith community, this is the visa that you need.
Volunteer Visa – If you want to go to Ireland for volunteer work, such as in a charity or non-profit organization, you will need to apply for an Irish volunteer visa.

Resources for Moving to Dublin

You may have already figured out the specific type of D-visa you need to move to Ireland and are now ready to start the application process. While going through the visa process, you may also start researching how you would go through the process of moving to Ireland. How and where do you find an apartment? What is the best neighborhood? How do you start your life as a new resident of this beautiful capital of Ireland?

Here are some helpful resources to help you with your move to Dublin.

Visa Requirements and Procedures

As with moving to any country in the world, moving to Ireland and particularly to its capital city, entails a long, tedious process. This is necessary, though, as you would want to ensure that you move to Dublin legally and that you won’t get into any trouble while you’re there. Ready to start applying for your D-visa? Check out the following sites to learn about the requirements and procedures:

Apartment Rental in Dublin

Now that you have started the visa process, Or just waiting for it to arrive at your doorstep, it’s time to look for a place to stay. What are your housing options in Dublin? Here are some helpful resources:

Where to search for a rental in Dublin

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Neighborhood Guide to Dublin

You have figured out what kind of house or apartment you’re looking for in Dublin. You have looked at your budget as well. But where exactly do you find this Dublin flat or townhouse? Read these guides to get to know the neighborhoods in Dublin.

Finding an Apartment in Dublin Part 1: Deciding on an Area
Dublin Neighborhoods
10 Best Neighborhoods in Dublin
Guide to Neighborhoods in Dublin
Ultimate Dublin Guide by Neighborhood

Applying for a PPS Number in Dublin

The PPS Number (Personal Public Service Number) is a personal reference number in Ireland that allows you to access social welfare payments and services. It was previously known as the RSI number.

It is the equivalent of a National Insurance number in the United Kingdom. You will be unable to obtain a job or other state benefits unless you have a PPS number. It is also used for taxation purposes. A PPS number is also required to obtain an Irish driving license.

Before moving to Ireland, you cannot apply for a PPS Number. To obtain your PPS Number, you must already be a resident of Ireland.

Read this to know how you can apply for a PPS Number in Dublin.

Applying for a Bank Account in Dublin

You’ll need to look into your banking options if you’re moving to Dublin or elsewhere in Ireland. Since salaries are usually required to be paid into a local account, you may want to consider creating a bank account in Dublin.

Current accounts are the most popular type of bank account since they allow you to maintain your money for day-to-day costs. Many current accounts in Ireland are available in conjunction with savings accounts, making it simple to transfer funds. Your current account will come with a debit card, and you will also have the option of applying for a credit card.

Here’s are some resources about opening an account in Dublin:

Guide to Markets and Grocery Stores in Dublin

As you settle in Dublin, you’ll find that you can’t always eat out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Doing so would be impractical and you may even go broke before you get a decent job. To save money and to truly enjoy Dublin like a local, you must know where to go shopping for food. From grocers to supermarkets, here are a few guides on where to buy food in Dublin.

Cost of Living in Dublin (for a single person)

Dublin has steadily risen to the top of the list of the world’s most expensive cities in recent years. Living expenses are always among the top concerns for those looking to relocate to a new country, and the cost of living in Dublin is frequently cited as one of its drawbacks.

Dublin is the 46th most expensive city in the world, just one place behind London, according to the 2020 Worldwide Cost of Living report. The report also says that Dublin is the sixth most expensive city in Europe, just behind Zurich, Bern, Geneva, London, and Copenhagen.

We’ve all heard stories about how expensive living in Dublin is. Have you ever wondered how much it costs? In this section, we look at the real cost of living in Dublin for a single person, from rentals to transportation to groceries.

Rental

The high cost of living in Dublin is primarily due to the city’s high rents. The most expensive areas to rent in are Dublin City Centre and Dublin South City, where the average property costs €2,044 per month. In comparison, the national average rent is €1,391 per month.

Here are some more rental options in Dublin, along with the average price.

one-bedroom apartment – at least €1,700
two-bedroom apartment – more or less €2,000
private bedroom in a shared house – starts at around €650
sharing a room with someone – as low as €400

Groceries

It is cheaper to buy, cook and prepare your food in Dublin. When shopping, stock on those that are easy to cook and prepare, yet healthy.

1 kg (2.2 lb) of White Rice – €1.40
500 gr (1 lb.) of chicken breast fillet – €5.09
1 liter (1 qt.) of milk – €1.26
1 dozen eggs, large – €3.33
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes – €2.39
500 grams of local cheese – €5.36
1 kg of apples – €2.40
1 kg of potatoes – €1.23
5 L (1.6 qt) of Bottled Water – €1.30
1 bottle of good quality red table wine – €13
Loaf of Bread – €1.52

Utilities

The cost of utilities in Dublin doesn’t come free with your apartment rent. Best to set aside a budget for this as well as Internet expenses.

Gas, Water, and Electricity – €153
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) – €36

Transportation

With the rising oil prices, owning a car in Dublin is not practical especially if you just moved here. Best to master how to navigate the city through its public transport system.

1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas – €1.59
Monthly ticket for public transport – €139
Taxi trip on a business day, 8 km. (5 miles) – €26

Eating Out

If you’re on the go and have no time to cook, eating out is your best bet in Dublin. Here’s the cost of every meal from fast food to fine dining.

Simple Lunch menu (including a drink) in the business district – €14
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) – €9
Multi-course Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including wine and dessert – €68
Cappuccino in expat area of Dublin – €3.68

Clothing

As you settle in the Irish capital, you may want to shop for additions to your wardrobe. Here’s how much they cost on average.

1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) – €61
1 summer dress in a high street store (H&M, Zara and the like) – €31
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or similar brands) – €78
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes – €87

Health and Personal Care

From toiletries to basic health expenses, here’s how health and personal care items cost in Dublin.

Body Wash (400 ml) – €4.99
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) – €4.65
4 rolls of toilet paper – €2.10
Tube of toothpaste – €2.59
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) – €3.51
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, …) – €5.07
Multivitamins (good for 2 months) – €22
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, etc) – €7
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) – €13
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) – €58

Leisure

It’s quite pricey to unwind and enjoy a day or night out in Dublin but do it once in a while anyway.

1 ticket to the movies – €12
1 medium-sized popcorn – €5.50.
1 ticket to the theater (best seats) – €65
1 cocktail drink in the downtown club – €12
- 1 beer in neighborhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) – €7

Working in Dublin

Before you start looking for a job in Dublin, keep in mind that you’ll need the following:

A Personal Public Service Number (PPS Number).
An Irish bank account.
An Irish qualifications recognition document. This is not mandatory but hiring officers will ask for it. Read this guide to know more about this document.

Getting A Job in Dublin

Finding work in Dublin will, first and foremost, be determined by your command of the English language (speaking skills mainly). What level do you belong to?

If you don’t speak English or know very little of the language (no fluency) – Since you would be unable to sustain a phone call in this situation, it is preferable to bring your printed CV immediately to the employer. Here are some places to look for work:

any local or national newspaper such as The Evening Herald, The Irish Independent, The Irish Times, The Sunday Business Post, etc
You can visit a Recruitment Agency to learn more about the many positions that are now available.
Search “open day employment Dublin” or “open day jobs Dublin.” An open day is a tactic used by businesses to find new candidates. During an Open Day, the employer displays the available job opportunities. It is an excellent time to seek out fresh prospects.

Tip: If your English is not that good, sign up for EPIC, a free evaluation and training program for immigrants in Ireland. It teaches how to improve English, prepare proper CVs, and includes job interview simulations.

If you are fluent in English – You have a better probability of getting a job in Dublin if you are fluent in English, and more opportunities as well. Look into recruitment agencies or job search engines. The

For more information about finding a job in Dublin, here are more resources that may help.

Working in Dublin

You just got yourself hired and are now excited to start work in Dublin. However, it is best to know that the Dubliners have a rather distinct work culture. Check out the following resources to know what you should expect when working in Dublin.

Other Tips for Moving to Dublin

Here are more tips to help you as you start a new life in Dublin.

Be ready for the rain – Dublin averages 130 rainy days per year. Most windy and rainy days occur in the winter, so make sure you pack some good coats, warm layers, and sturdy shoes. But even during the summer, Dublin is no stranger to wet days. Invest in a small umbrella that you can fit in your bag year-round; you never know when the rain will arrive and it’s best to be ready!

Know Some Irish Slang – As with any new city, Dubliners have their take on the language, with plenty of new slang terminology to experiment with. One popular Irish slang is Craic (pronounced “crack”), a colloquial phrase denoting amusement, comedy, or banter. So, if someone asks you, ‘Where’s the craic?’ they’re asking you what’s up while looking for a good laugh and a good time!

Download these helpful apps – As a new Dublin resident, you. may want to download some useful apps to help you navigate the city and help you settle.

Journey Planner – This app calculates public transportation routes to your destination, complete with schedules and real-time departure and delays information.
Uber – if you need to get to a certain location fast and don’t want to join the rush, this app makes booking a taxi super easy.
Leap Top-Up app – this is an easy and convenient way to put money on your Leap Cards.
Deliveroo – This is a food delivery app that is ideal if you want to eat at your favorite high-street restaurant but don’t want to change out of your pajamas.

Leave Dublin once in a while to unwind – If it all becomleap card

Top Up Your leap card so you can easily hop on a bus or train to relax by the mountains or by the sea.

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Christine Rogador

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 60 countries for the past 12 years. I also lived in 4 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia, Africa and now in Europe. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.