The Cost of Living in Ireland
If you’re considering a move to Ireland, understanding the cost of living is essential. Monthly expenses for a single person, excluding rent, can vary widely by city. Major expat hubs like Dublin and Cork typically have higher costs compared to smaller towns, so it’s important to research your options.
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This article will provide a general overview of living expenses in Ireland, covering topics such as housing costs, healthcare, food, and groceries. You’ll find tips on budgeting and saving money while living in the country.
Housing Costs in Ireland
Housing is the most costly fixed expense for expats living abroad. In Ireland, the estimated monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is €1,573 (USD $1,762.14). For a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre, the monthly rent is approximately €1,348 (USD $1,510).
For a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre, the monthly cost is about €2,645 (USD $2,963), and for a three-bedroom apartment outside the city centre, the monthly rent is approximately €2,197 (USD $2,461.17).
Food and Grocery Costs in Ireland
In Ireland, grocery shopping can be done at various locations. Chains like Tesco, SuperValu, Dunnes Stores, and Lidl provide a wide selection of products, including fresh produce and household items. The average cost of groceries per month for a single person is approximately €270 (USD $617).
Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant in Ireland for a single person will cost around €18 (USD $20). A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost about €80 (USD $90).
If you’re going out for drinks, a 0.5-liter draught of domestic beer will cost about €6 (USD $6.72), and imported bottled beers will cost approximately €5.50 (USD $6.16).
Transportation Costs in Ireland
Public transport in Ireland is affordable and convenient, especially in major hubs such as Dublin. The cost of a one-way ticket in Ireland is approximately €2 (USD $2.24), and monthly passes are around €87.50 (USD $98).
If you are moving to Ireland, you can also buy a Leap Card, a contactless payment card that works for most public transportation in the country. Traveling with a Leap Card is cheaper than buying a single ticket for every ride. A Tourist Leap Card is also available for travelers.
Expats can alternatively take a taxi to travel around the city. Taxi fares in Ireland start at €4.95 (USD $5.55) and increase by €2 (USD $2.24) every 1km. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Free Now are also widely available in Ireland, with the prices depending on demand.
Costs of Driving in Ireland
Driving in Ireland requires significant adjustment for expats. While EU licenses are valid immediately, non-EU licenses must be converted after 12 months. Left-side driving, manual transmissions, narrow roads, and numerous roundabouts characterize Irish roads.
High insurance costs for new residents make public transport an attractive initial option, especially in urban areas.
The cost of a liter of gasoline in Ireland is approximately €1.76 (USD $2). The average cost of a new everyday car in Ireland is approximately €35,000 (USD $39,208.40). Expats can search for secondhand cars on expat groups as a cheaper alternative.
Utilities and Bills in Ireland
The estimated cost for basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) in Ireland for an 82-square-meter apartment is approximately €211 (USD $236) per month. A mobile plan with 10 GB+ data will cost you €20 (USD $22) a month, and a home internet plan will cost €46 (USD $51).
Healthcare Expenses in Ireland
Expats who have lived in Ireland for at least a year or intend to live in the country for over a year can access public healthcare. Public healthcare offers affordable medical care, but most expats opt for private healthcare due to shorter wait times and better quality of service.
Special Consultation Costs in Ireland
- GP visit: €60–€80 (USD $67–$90) without medical card
- Specialist consultation: €150–€200 (USD $168–$224)
- Dentist check-up: €50–€70 (USD $56–$78)
- Emergency room visit: €100 (USD $112) without medical card or referral
- Physiotherapy session: €60–€80 (USD $67–$90)
Common Diagnostic Costs in Ireland
- Blood tests: €25–€100 (USD $28–$112)
- X-ray: €25–€100 (USD $112–$112)
- MRI scan: €290–€350 (USD 325–$392)
- Ultrasound: €150–€ 200 (USD $168–$224)
Hospital Stay Costs in Ireland
The cost of a public hospital stay in Ireland can range from €80 to over €300 (USD $90–$336), depending on the type of room you stay in and whether or not you have a medical card. At private hospitals, the costs will range from €300 to €600 (USD $336–$672) depending on the room.
Why Getting Health Insurance is Important in Ireland
Getting health insurance in Ireland is crucial for ensuring quicker access to medical services and specialists, which can significantly reduce your overall wait time. It also provides financial protection against the high costs of hospital stays, treatments, and diagnostic tests.
Private insurance gives you the freedom to choose your healthcare provider and facilities, offering more control over your care. Having health insurance offers peace of mind, knowing you can receive necessary medical attention without facing overwhelming expenses.
In addition to common coverage for general practitioner visits and inpatient coverage, securing your own private health insurance also provides you with preventative care, such as mental wellbeing coverage. Maternity benefits are often available as add-on benefits for expats looking to start a family.
Budgeting Strategies for Living in Ireland
Budgeting is crucial for expats living abroad. Using a Leap Card over single-way tickets is a great way to cut daily expenses. Expats can also share accommodations with others to cut rent costs.
Expats are also recommended to arrange health insurance before moving. Securing the right health insurance policy can not only give you access to private healthcare at a lower cost but also provide peace of mind for you to fully immerse yourself in your expat experience in Ireland.
Best Insurance Providers for Expats in Ireland
Some of the best insurance providers for expats in Ireland include Allianz Care, AXA International, Cigna International, MSH International, and NOW Health International. These insurers offer expats flexible policies with comprehensive medical coverage during their stay.
Allianz Care
As one of the largest international health insurance providers in the market, Allianz Care offers expats the Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans. The Care plan has an annual limit of USD $2,500,000; the Care Plus plan offers up to USD $4,000,000. The Care Pro plan offers up to USD $5,000,000.
AXA International
AXA offers five international health insurance plans: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus. The annual limits for these plans range from USD $160,000 up to USD $8,000,000. Medical evacuation and repatriation are included with all plans.
Cigna Global
Cigna Global offers expats in Ireland a variety of flexible plans with access to private and public hospitals as well as around-the-clock customer support. Expats can choose what level of coverage they want with the Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans.
MSH International
MSH International offers four different types of coverage through their First’Expat+ plan. The options available include Hospi, Health, Health+, and Health+Child. Each option also offers customizations for the annual benefits limit.
NOW Health International
Expats in Ireland can choose between four coverage options from NOW Health International, with the most comprehensive plan being the WorldCare plan, which offers an annual benefit limit of up to USD $4,500,000.
Other NOW Health International plans include:
- SimpleCare Core: annual benefit limit of up to USD $1,000,000 (€867,880)
- SimpleCare 100: annual benefit limit of up to USD $1,500,000 (€1,301,820)
- SimpleCare 250: annual benefit limit of up to USD $1,500,000 (€1,301,820)
Conclusion
Moving to Ireland can be an exciting new chapter, but it is important to ensure that you are medically covered to give you the peace of mind you need to focus on your career and fully enjoy your expat experience in the country.
If you are looking to secure a comprehensive international health insurance policy, Pacific Prime can help you.
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If you’re still deciding between where to move in Europe, check out our cost of living guides for Europe or our cost of living guide for more specific countries, such as the UK and the Netherlands.
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