9 Essential Tips for Moving To Ireland

Moving overseas always comes with a few extra details and hurdles to overcome. But it’s not something you should lose sleep over, with the right removals company in place, your relocation to the Emerald Isle can be a smooth as a wee drop of Irish cream. “Slainte!”

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

How much does it cost to move to Ireland?

Like any UK removal, the cost of your move will depend on the distance your items will need to travel, the number of items/size of home, outbuildings, etc. There are a number of variables, even the time of year or day of the week will make a difference as ferry prices can vary.

Our team are on hand to give you a quick quote, this will include all the costings. Our top tip would be, for any quotes you receive, make sure this is a total cost, so don’t get hit with any unexpected costs. At Armishaws we always provide a total quote.

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 do try to cut corners or find ways around the required documents, but the last thing you want is to see your possessions stuck quayside as the ferry they were supposed to be on leaves without them.

What paperwork do I 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 yourself 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 you 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’s vehicle has a different country of origin (IE, it had previously been exported to the UK from the EU or elsewhere), you will be required to pax tax.

Can I use my UK licence?

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

Moving Documents

On the day you’ll need all your documents to hand.

• Passports
• Pet health certificates (microchips will be checked for vaccinations)
• Detailed inventory of your goods

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