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Moving to Ireland

Your guide to the Emerald Isle

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Are you planning to move to Ireland? Before you can frolic in green fields, enjoy the rainy weather, and the booming economy, you’ll need to get move to the Emerald Isle first. And while it might seem like a daunting process, with Sirelo’s moving to Ireland guide, it’ll be a breeze! So, read on for moving costs, an essential checklist, and even free moving quotes to help get you on your way to Ireland. You can thank us later. 😊

How much does it cost to move to Ireland?

You are probably wondering now, “what will it cost to move to Ireland from South Africa”? The truth is, at this point, it is difficult to say. This is because it depends on a number of factors, but for an average 3-bed house it can cost between R86,400-R143,900.

Of course, if you want a breakdown of the factors that will affect the price, you can read our international moving costs page to get into the nitty gritty. Being in the know is a great way to save money on your move to Ireland!

To give you a bit more insight into how the size of your household (for which we have a great volume calculator) will affect the price of your move, we estimated the cost of a move to Dublin, Ireland from South Africa.

House Size Time Cost
1-bed flat 6-10 weeks R36,000-R63,000
2-bed house 4-7 weeks R48,600-R82,800
3-bed house 4-7 weeks R86,400-R143,900
4-bed house 4-7 weeks R144,500-R177,700
5-bed house 4-7 weeks R179,400-R245,900

If you’re wondering why a 1-bed flat will take longer than larger households, this is usually due to small moves being shipped in a shared container. There are some options that can also affect the move of your speed and you can read more about them on our container shipping prices page!

Top Movers to Ireland

Are you searching for movers to Ireland? You’re in the right place. Take a look at the 3 best international removal companies from South Africa to Ireland:

1. Advance Worldwide Removals

2. South African Relocations

3. Execu-Move

Request removal quotes

Luckily for you, there are plenty of great international moving companies available in South Africa. Their expertise will make your move more efficient and save you hours of stress and effort. So, fill in the form below and receive free moving quotes, then you can watch on, guilt-free, with a cup of tea.

Find a Moving Company to Help You Move!
Request up to five free moving quotes to do so.

Visa for Ireland

As a South Africa moving to Ireland who wishes to work, you’ll be glad to hear that you won’t need a visa. However, you’ll need a valid job offer and a work permitto enter the country, which you’ll need to apply for at least 12 weeks before you start working. At least that leaves you time to plan your move!

If you would like further information, you can visit the Irish government’s immigration service page.

Moving to Ireland checklist

Congratulations on making it this far! You are almost ready to kick back and enjoy your new Irish life. However, there are just a few quick points you should be aware of when moving to Ireland from South Africa.

✔️ Important Documents

First up are some documents that will prove useful for moving and life in general and are always useful to have ready. So, prepare them, keep them safe, and even make duplicates:

  • Passport
  • Birth Certificate
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Medical Documentation (including dental and immunizations)
  • University Degree(s) and qualification(s)
  • Work Permits

✔️ Choosing a Mover

If you’re planning on moving household goods to Ireland, then we highly recommend finding an international mover to help you complete the journey. It’s easy to move a suitcase but trying to ship your belongings to Ireland will be a nightmare!

✔️ Packing

Packing is something that seems easy, but it can actually be slightly difficult. The main reason is that there’s a lot to do, and often so little time. However, if you start to pack early, at least a month before your moving date, will help keep things under control. If you are in need of more packing tips, then read our expert guide!

✔️ Healthcare

Although public healthcare is funded partially by the government, it can be pretty expensive due to small fees at different stages of healthcare. Also, the public option can has long waiting times. Oftentimes, people opt for private healthcare to cover bills and to access the private healthcare option which is significantly quicker.

✔️ Banking

With a move to Ireland, you might be interested in opening a local bank account, so you don’t have to worry about conversion fees between Rand and Euro. It’ll also make it easier for you to contact your bank as it won’t be an international affair!

The major banks in Ireland are the following:

✔️ Shipping Costs for Your Car

If you aim to move to Ireland with a car, there are some essential steps that’ll you need to take. There are a few taxes to pay such as:

  • Customs duty
  • Vehicle registration tax (if applicable)
  • Value added tax (if applicable)
  • Motor tax

On the administrative side of things, you’ll need to register your vehicle with NCTS and obtain motor insurance.

✔️ Taking your Pets?

The last you’ll want to do, when moving to Ireland, is leave a cute and beloved member of the family behind, so in order to bring your pet to Ireland, ensure that they have been:

  • Microchipped
  • Vaccinated against rabies and blood rabies test
  • EU health certificate from an official vet
  • Tapeworm treatment
  • Prior notice

✔️ Read up on Utilities

While it may seem a long way away, you’ll want the lights to come on when you open the door to your new home. Because basic utilities like electricity and gas may work a bit differently than in South Africa, not to mention essentials like internet & phone service, it’s wise to plan ahead!

This was a pretty nice little checklist, if we may say so. However, if you are look for a more in depth one, then read out moving abroad checklist, it’s quite the godsend.

Moving to Ireland

Working in Ireland

As you need a work permit, finding a job is a top priority. There are certain jobs that are more in demand, for instance in, health, science or engineering. It’s still possible to find a job outside of these areas and don’t let a job search deter you from your dreams.

We recommend using job search websites in order to increase your chances of finding a job. The following are good examples!

Ready for your move to Ireland?

We hope that by now you are feeling more confident about moving to Ireland from South Africa. If you want help with any aspect of your move, be sure to explore Sirelo. We have a wealth of resources to help you with moving. So, click one of the articles linked below and good luck with your move!