9 Essential Tips For Moving To Ireland

Moving overseas always comes with a few extra hurdles to overcome. Having experienced movers can help remove all the worries.

To help get you started, here’s a quick Q&A of the most frequently asked questions.

“How much does it cost to move to Ireland?”

The cost will depend on the distance to be travelled and volume of items to be moved. There may be other variables, for example,  ferry prices can vary depending on the day of the week/time of year.

When getting removal quotes, tell prospective movers that you want a fully inclusive quote, to ensure you don’t get hit with any unexpected costs.
At Armishaws we always provide a total quote with no hidden extras.

“Do I need a specialist removals team?”

Yes, as this is an international move your removals company will need to carry an ECMT International Removals Permit (European Conference of Ministers of Transport), without this they won’t be licensed to transport your goods across European borders. Sadly, there are companies that try to cut corners or find ways around the required documents, but the last thing you want is to have your possessions stuck on the quayside as the ferry they were supposed to be on leaves without them.

“What Visas do I/we need?”

The UK and Irish governments have an agreement in place of a protected Common Travel Area (CTA), allowing free movement between the UK and Ireland. Under the terms of the CTA, UK and Irish citizens can live and work freely in both countries.

“Do I need to register to pay tax?”

Yes, you must register to pay tax if you’re living and working in Ireland. You’ll need either a contract of employment or to register as self-employed. Further details can be found on Revenue.ie.

“What documents/checks do I need for my pet?”

Dogs and cats must have;

• A microchip, it must have been fitted at least 21 days prior to travel
• Rabies vaccination
• Health certificate, this can be issued by your local vet

As long as these are in place there is no quarantine period. Other pets (such as reptiles), may have different requirements depending on the type of animal.

“Can I take my car?”

Yes, you can take your car to Ireland however, you must make a customs declaration and may be required to pay duty.

• Customs charges apply to all used vehicles imported from Great Britain. New cars are currently exempt.
• If the vehicle has a different country of origin (it’s previously been imported to the UK having been registered elsewhere), you will be required to pax tax.

“Can I use my UK driving licence?”

Yes, on entering the country you can use your UK license, however, once you take up residency, you must have an Irish driving licence. You can simply exchange your UK licence for an Irish licence, as long as it’s valid and has not been expired for more than 1 year.

“What documents will I/we need on entry?”

On the day you’ll need;

• Passports
• Pet health certificates (microchips will be checked for vaccinations)
• Detailed inventory of goods/items entering the country

And finally…

Prepare a Travel Box

Have a secure box or bag ready that you can keep in a safe place on the day. This is where you can keep all the most important things to hand.

• Passports
• Tickets
• Pet health certificates
• Inventory of goods
• Car/driving documents
• Euros (notes and change in case you need them for things like parking, vending machines, etc)
• Phone charger
• Any required medication

Learn more about Removals to Ireland…