Part 3 – Before You Arrive

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To help you navigate this guide on Moving to Ireland it has been divided into six parts. Click on a link below to read that part of the guide on Moving to Ireland.
Part 1 – Important Disclaimer – Please Read This First If You’re New To This Guide
Part 2 – Should You Move to Ireland?
Part 3 – Before You Arrive
Part 4 – Getting Settled and Paperwork
Part 5 – Finding a Place to Live
Part 6 – Getting a Job

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to move to Ireland. It’s a beautiful country, but your journey is just beginning. Here are the key steps to take before you arrive.

What to Do Before Moving to Ireland

1. Passport and Visa
    Make sure you have a valid passport in your name with no damage. It should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Apply for your visa or authorization letter well in advance, giving yourself at least six weeks. Your visa won’t be valid until you arrive in Ireland.
   
2. Insurance
   Always have insurance when traveling, and for a move abroad, medical insurance is a must. Look into ex-pat insurance for comprehensive coverage. Make sure your insurance policy will cover you the whole time you’re in Ireland.
   
3. Document Copies
   Make copies of all important documents: passport, authorization letter, flight and hotel itinerary, bank statement, and proof of insurance. Email a copy to yourself and share one with a trusted friend or family member. Also, note where your country’s nearest consulate or embassy is in Dublin.
   
4. Prescriptions & Medication
   Talk to your doctor about bringing your prescription medications. You can see a doctor in Ireland for refills if necessary. Most over the counter medication will be available at pharmacies in Ireland, but it may be under a different name (for example Tylenol vs Paracetamol. If you’re lactose intolerant I would recommend dairy digestive pills – those were impossible to find in Ireland.
   
5. Birth Control & Sexual Health
   If you need birth control for any reason, research options before you go. Dublin Well Woman Centre offers primary health care, family planning, counseling, and sexual health services. Condoms are available at any pharmacy in Ireland. Abortions are legal in Ireland as of 2018.
   
6. Flights
   Book your flight to Ireland, or if stopping elsewhere first (as I did) , ensure you have a complete itinerary. You may need to show it at customs.
   
7. Proof of Funds
   You’ll need a bank letter (signed by the bank manger) confirming at least $2,500 CAD in your account. However, I recommend at least $3,500 (€2,500) to cover initial costs like accommodation and job searching. The more funds you have the better.
   
8. Banking and Credit Cards
   Notify your bank and credit card companies that you’ll be living in Ireland for two years so your accounts remain active. If your cards expire during your stay, arrange for replacements before leaving.
   
9. Cancel Unnecessary Accounts
   Cancel any services and accounts you won’t need while abroad, and give a forwarding address to important contacts, like employers for tax documents.
   
10. Inform Everyone
    Let people know you’re moving. It’s a great way to excuse yourself from unwanted commitments. “No, I can’t sign up for this service. I’m moving to Ireland!”
    
11. Book Accommodations
    It may take time to find a rental, so book at least a week of temporary accommodation. Accommodations with a kitchen or included breakfast can help save money. If you’re using SWAP, you’ll get two nights in a hostel included in your fees.
    
12. Check Job and Rental Listings
    Familiarize yourself with Ireland’s job and rental markets by browsing Daft.ie (rentals) and Jobs.ie. (employment). Don’t apply just yet, but knowing what’s out there helps. There’s more information about finding a place to live in Part 5 and getting a job in Part 6 of this series.
    
13. SWAP Orientation
    If going through SWAP, schedule your orientation session. It’s offered on Tuesday and Friday mornings, so give yourself at least a day to recover from jetlag before attending.

Driving

 You can use your home country’s driver’s license for up to 12 months. After that, you’ll need to apply for an Irish license, which involves a driver’s test and eye exam.

Ireland drives on the left. Automatics are rare and more expensive than manual cars. Roads can be narrow, especially in rural areas, and roundabouts are common. Gas is priced per liter, and speed limits are in kilometers per hour.

I chose not to drive in Ireland, but to rely on public transit instead. Purchasing a car would mean extra costs, not just in buying the vehicle itself, but in registering it, insuring it, paying for gas, maintaining it, and parking.

What to Bring

Essentials: Passport, authorization letter, flight itinerary, proof of insurance, and bank statement. While Immigration may not ask for all of these, it’s better to be prepared.

Pack an adapter for your electronics. Ireland uses UK-style plugs at 230V 50Hz, so if your devices run on a higher voltage, you’ll need a converter.

Bring an unlocked phone for a local SIM card, or buy a phone in Ireland. I brought my unlocked phone and got a plan from eir.

A laptop might be handy, particularly if you need it for work. I purchased a $175 Chromebook in Canada. It’s not fancy, but it does what I need it to do. Many hotels, hostels, and public libraries have computers available. If you go through SWAP, the USIT resource center in Dublin has free computers, printers, and internet access. Make sure to bring a USB drive with your resume and references. Don’t save anything to a public computer.

A professional outfit for job interviews is essential. Even for casual jobs, interview attire is typically formal. Check out Penney’s (Primark) for affordable clothing if needed. They have several locations in Dublin and other cities in Ireland.

Think of moving to Ireland like going on any trip. Pack some clothes and toiletries to get you through a few days, but don’t go crazy and bring everything. If you forgot something you can likely buy it in Ireland.

What not to Bring

• An umbrella: Yes, it rains in Ireland, but that umbrella you got at the grocery store is going to be inside out within two days. If you want an umbrella I recommend buying a good, golf umbrella when you get to Ireland, and not the cheap €5 ones. Invest in a good waterproof/water-resistant coat instead.
  
• Furniture and Appliances: Most rental properties come fully furnished. My room had a bed, wardrobe, and nightstand. Kitchens and living areas usually have all the necessary appliances.
  
• Household Items: You can easily buy things like towels and hangers after you move. I got items like those from Penney’s, Dealz (similar to a dollar store), and the Tesco at Clarehall close to where I lived (it has groceries but also some home goods and clothes). Most rentals will be furnished and will have major appliances (fridge, microwave, etc). The only thing that wasn’t in the places I rented was a dryer, but that’s rare to find (drying racks or clothes line outside are usually used to dry clothes).
  
• Excessive Clothing: Bring a few essentials and one professional outfit. Anything else can be bought in Ireland if needed.
  
•  Books: They’re heavy and take up space. An e-reader or tablet is a better alternative.
  
• OvertheCounter Medication: You can bring a few things, but Pharmacies in Ireland stock common medications. If you’re lactose intolerant, consider bringing dairy digestive pills, as they are impossible to find.
  
• A vehicle. If you plan to drive, buy a car in Ireland. Shipping one is costly. Public transportation is a great alternative. For road trips can always rent a car.

Summary

 The most important things to bring: passport, visa authorization letter, bank letter, proof of insurance, travel itinerary, money, credit/debit cards, and prescription medications. Most anything else can be bought after you arrive.

Be patient and keep a positive attitude. There’s a lot to do when you arrive, especially in terms of starting work and getting paid. I’ll cover that in the next part of this series.

Things To Know
Take Me To The World would like to thank a third-party for their support of this part of this series. All information and opinions provided here are my own.

If you are not using a program like SWAP I’d suggest booking at least few days accommodation before you arrive. You can book accomodation in Dublin here.

Have you moved abroad? Did you forget to bring anything important?