Moving abroad from Ireland

Information

You can prepare yourself for moving abroad by getting as much information as possible about the country to which you are travelling. You can search for this information online and obtain information from your travel agent or the embassy of the relevant country. It may be useful to meet with people who have lived there in the past. You may also find information in your public library.

Remember that it can take time to settle into a new way of life; you may find that a lot of the attitudes and practices that you take for granted and consider "normal" are in fact peculiar to Irish culture.

Before you leave

Whether you are planning to go travelling abroad or moving to another country to work our document on general tips for travelling abroad outlines what you need to do before you leave. For example, you should apply for an Irish pass port if you don’t have one already. It is important to consider what the health issues are. If you are going to the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland to travel or look for work you should get the European Health Insurance Card. If you are travelling outside the EEA, you are strongly advised to seek specific holiday or health insurance before you travel and you should also check if you need to get vaccinations. Before you leave you should check our documents on useful documentation to bring and diplomatic supports for Irish people abroad.

Working abroad

If you are leaving Ireland to work in another country, you may be planning to work within the European Union (EU) or you may be going to work in a country outside the EU. You can check out the foreign newspapers, which are on sale here as well as the Irish papers, which sometimes carry advertisements for foreign companies. If you are planning to work in the EU you should also check with your local FÁS office. Each office has a EURES noticeboard advertising vacancies from a range of European countries.

Volunteering

If you are interested in working as a volunteer in another country there is information about volunteering opportunities abroad on the Volunteering Ireland website.

Social security

If you leave Ireland to live or work in another country or if you are returning to your country having worked in Ireland you may be entitled to receive social security benefits in the country you are moving to. You can find information about it in our document on social security arrangements that Ireland has with other countries. If you leave your employment to work as a volunteer development worker you may be entitled to credited social security contributions.