Belfast City Hall.
Ireland view 2
Book of Kells (an illuminated manuscript), Folio 32v, Christ En…
Dublin and Liffey by day.
Trim Castle, Co Meath, Ireland, at sunrise
Elevation data in this topographical image of Ireland were acqu…

Ireland

N/A
Climate
EUR
Currency
Moderate
Safety
High
Cost of Living
English
Language
Country Information Ireland

Ireland, located in the North Atlantic, is an island nation situated west of Great Britain, comprising most of the island and sharing a land border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. The country features a diverse landscape c...

Cost of Living
vs EU Average48% more expensive
Rent
€1,650Apartment (1 bedroom) in City…
Meal
€23.50Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
Groceries
€1.50Milk (regular), (1 liter)
Transport
€2.95One-way Ticket (Local Transpo…
Read the full cost-of-living guide

Your Ireland Roadmap

40+ page relocation analysis tailored to your profile.

  • Custom Tax & Cost Projection
  • District Matching for your Lifestyle
  • Vetted Local Partner Directory

With a safety index of 51/100, Ireland offers moderate safety conditions for expats and their families.

Entry Requirements & Visa Options

Ireland offers visa-free entry to citizens of over 170 countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and most EU/EEA nations, for short-term tourism, business, or family visits up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Travelers must possess a passport valid for the expected duration of stay, a return or onward ticket, and sufficient funds to support their visit (approximately €500 per week if no further means). Proof may be requested by border officials. Ireland is not part...

Visa-free entry: 90 days
Digital Nomad Visa: 2 years
Work permits available
Read full guide

Discover Cities in Ireland

Create your free profile to see personalized match scores.

Location Intelligence for Ireland
Cost of Living69.6

48% above EU avg

Safety50.9

22% below EU avg

Quality of Life173.6

12% above EU avg

Purchasing Power126.9

81% above EU avg

Baselines based on EU averages. Source: Numbeo indices.

Capital

Dublin

Timezone

UTC

Area

70,273 km²

Population

4,994,724

Ireland shows a purchasing power index of 127/100, indicating excellent economic conditions for expats.

Economic Overview in Ireland

GDP

$529.24B

HDI

0.9

Quality of Life

75/100

+32 vs NYC

Purchasing Power

53/100

+11 vs NYC

Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Ireland. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.

Comparison data legendCompare:
Ireland
Continent Avg

Cost of Living Index

Affordable

CPI: 70.0 (NYC=100 baseline), indicating expensive living costs. Groceries Index: 68.5, Rent Index: 41.0, Restaurant Price Index: 76.2.

Housing Market

Good

Property Price to Income Ratio: 6.9 years, making housing affordable relative to income. Rent Index: 41.0 offers reasonable options with regional variations in Dublin.

Average Income Levels

Excellent

Purchasing Power Index: 122.3, indicating excellent buying power. Strong labour market with unemployment at 4.6-4.7% supports high incomes.

Tax System

Moderate

Progressive income tax rates from 20% to 40%, plus Universal Social Charge up to 8% and PRSI. Standard VAT at 23%, with reduced rates; corporate tax at 12.5% attracts business.

Business Environment

Excellent

Ireland ranks 24th in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business (legacy). Thriving startup ecosystem, low corporate tax, and strong FDI despite regulatory challenges.

Social Security

Excellent

Universal healthcare via HSE with low costs. Comprehensive pensions, unemployment benefits up to €232/week, and family supports provide strong safety net.

Work & Business in Ireland
Business ClimateSee full guide for details
Work PermitsRequirements vary by nationality
Key IndustriesExplore opportunities
Read full guide
Education SystemInternational schools, universities & curricula
Explore Guide
Climate

Ireland experiences a mild temperate maritime climate classified as Cfb (oceanic climate) under the Köppen system. The island's position in the northeast Atlantic, influenced by the Gulf Stream, creates consistently mild temperatures year-round with minimal extremes.

Climate
Oceanic
Summer
14–20°C
Winter
4–9°C
Sunshine
1700+ hrs/yr

4 distinct climate regions — see full guide for details

Read full guide
Demographics in Ireland

Life Expectancy

83.0

Population

4,994,724

Religions

Christianity (Catholic)
69.2%
Non-religious
14.5%
Christianity (Protestant)
3.7%
Christianity (Orthodox)
2%
Islam
1.6%

Ethnic Composition

White
90%
not stated
4.5%
Asian
2.8%
Black
1.2%
other (inc. Mixed)
1.2%
What Expats Say About IrelandBETA

Research in Progress

We're currently analyzing expat perspectives for Ireland. Check back soon for insights from real experiences!

We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.

Transportation & Infrastructure in Ireland
Public TransitAvailable in major cities
AirportsInternational connectivity
InfrastructureRoad & rail networks
Read full guide
Social Integration in Ireland
Expat CommunityActive communities available
Cultural IntegrationTips & resources
Language BarrierSee guide for details
Read full guide
Retirement & Benefits in Ireland
Retirement VisaCheck eligibility
Healthcare AccessPublic & private options
Pension RecognitionSee guide for details
Read full guide
Political Landscape & Stability

Ireland is a parliamentary republic with a coalition government formed in January 2025 led by Taoiseach Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil and Tánaiste Simon Harris of Fine Gael. The government faces political fragility in 2026 following internal party tensions and Cabinet changes, while preparing to assume the EU Council Presidency in the second half of the year. Key challenges include maintaining coalition stability through scheduled by-elections and balancing domestic policy delivery with EU presidency responsibilities.

System
Parliamentary Republic
Legal System
Common law system based on the Irish Constitution
Read full guide
Environment & Sustainability in Ireland
Air QualitySee detailed assessment
Green SpacesParks & nature areas
SustainabilityEnvironmental policies
Read full guide
Ireland flag
Ireland at a Glance

Capital

Dublin

Languages

English, Irish

UN Member

Yes

Quick Facts for Ireland

Population

4,994,724

Currency

EUR

Timezone

UTC

Calling Code

+353

Week starts on

Monday

Gini Coefficient

31.4 (2017)

Traffic side

left side

Location

Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.

All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.