A Guide to Irish Culture: What Expats Need to Know

Relocating to a new country always presents a mixture of excitement and challenges. For expats moving to Ireland, understanding the intricacies of Irish culture can go a long way in making the transition smoother. With its rich history, vibrant arts, and globally renowned hospitality, the Emerald Isle promises a unique cultural experience. History and Heritage … Read more

How To Find A School In Ireland

The Republic of Ireland (Eire) is an independent nation, and part of the British Isles. A full member of the EU, Ireland has enjoyed a 21st century economic boom through regional funding. The Irish economy is mixed, with income from agriculture, services and tourism.The population of Ireland is about 4,950,000, roughly two thirds of whom … Read more

How To Open A Bank Account in Ireland

If you are moving to Ireland, then you will need to consider your options with regard to banking. For example, you may want to maintain an existing account in your home country, which can be useful if you are intending to one day return there. You may want to think about opening a local account … Read more

How To Learn The Language In Ireland

Ireland is a beautiful country in which to live and work and if you are an English-speaking expat, you will have few difficulties communicating with local people, since Ireland is an English-speaking country. This will apply whether you are based in either Northern Ireland or Eire.The official language of Northern Ireland, which is still part … Read more

How To Rent Or Buy Property In Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is an increasingly popular expat destination, as more and more companies choose to relocate there. Of the population of nearly 5 million people, 80,000 were reported to be immigrants in 2016. Property in Ireland is expensive and in high demand, so it is important that you understand the market and the … Read more

What Quality Of Healthcare Can You Expect In Ireland?

If you are an expat living and working in Ireland, you will likely find the healthcare there to be of a high standard, in both the private and the public sectors. You may find that you are covered by national health insurance. In saying this, around 50% of the Irish population are currently covered by … Read more

How To Register With The Health System In Ireland

The Irish Health Act of 2004 established the Health Service Executive (HSE) – or in Irish, Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte) – which set up a national insurance scheme from 2005. The system is being revised, however, and Ireland is currently the seventh highest spender on healthcare in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) … Read more

How To Look After Your Mental Health In Ireland

The organisation Mental Health Ireland reports that around one in four people in Ireland will develop a mental health problem at some point in their life. In 2016, around 18.5% of the Irish population was recorded by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as suffering from a mental health disorder, such as bipolar, … Read more

How To Keep Your Health Insurance Costs Low In Ireland

Ireland operates on a two-tier model of health insurance, with a public and a private sector. The latter is divided between for-profit healthcare institutions and voluntary not-for-profit ones, often run by religious organisations. For-profit health insurance currently covers around 50% of the Irish population, many of whom are either not covered by Ireland’s national health … Read more

How To Keep Fit And Healthy In Ireland

If you are living and working in Ireland, then you should not have too much difficulty in finding opportunities to keep fit and healthy. Ireland has a high standard of living and some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, so there are lots of chances to get out and about. With an extensive coastline, … Read more

How To Apply For A Visa In Ireland

Ireland has become a popular destination for a number of foreign nationals. For example, many British citizens are currently investigating the possibility of moving there following Brexit, in order to remain a part of the European Union (EU). There is also a significant expat community from North America. Read on to learn about Ireland’s immigration … Read more

How To Find A Job In Ireland

Any individual from the European Economic Area (EEA) can apply for work in Ireland without a visa or work permit. Those wishing to emigrate from outside the EEA must secure either a visa or work permit before they are eligible to find jobs in the country.To succeed in the Irish job market, you will need … Read more

Taxation in Ireland: An Expat Guide

It’s often said that nothing is certain in this world except for two things: death and taxes. In Ireland, there’s a popular saying that you can be certain of three things: death, taxes and rain! Whether you’re new to Ireland, or considering a move, it pays to understand the ins and outs of the tax … Read more

Buying Property In Ireland? Here’s What You Need To Know

“The best investment on earth is earth”, said investor and philanthropist Louis Glickman. Whether you’re considering buying a new home, a holiday residence, a rental or business property, Ireland holds many exciting possibilities.Ireland’s real estate market is at a turning point. After the 2008 economic crisis, house prices plummeted throughout the country, but they have … Read more

Healthcare Options In Ireland: A Guide For Expats

In Ireland, when you raise a glass to make a toast with friends, rather than saying “Cheers!”, you would say “Sláinte!”. This is the Irish word for “health” – and as this toast suggests, health and healthcare are big priorities in Ireland. Overall, the Irish health system is safe, modern and efficient. Ireland scores 8.9 … Read more

Renting in Dublin: A Guide for New Expats

So, you’ve decided to make the move. Dublin is a great city to live in, boasting a mix of old-world charm and a modern international feel. However, finding the perfect place to live can be a challenge, with rising rent prices and high demand. Knowing how best to look will help you stay ahead of … Read more

How Does Expat Life In Ireland Differ From Visiting?

Who hasn’t, over the course of an idyllic holiday, allowed themselves to slip into a fantasy about starting a new life in the beautiful country you are visiting? You drift through the cobbled streets and down to the river, dreamily imagining what it would be like to leave your regular life behind and create a … Read more

Choosing Your Child’s School In Dublin: A Guide For Expat Parents

Navigating the school system of a new country can be daunting and put a lot of pressure on expat parents to find the best fit for their child both personally and in terms of getting the best education possible to help those children succeed. For many expat families, the question of where their children will … Read more

What Do Ireland’s New Abortion Laws Mean For Expats?

Access to sexual health, family planning and prenatal healthcare is a key consideration when deciding to relocate to another country. It’s important to know what your options are around pregnancy, including in difficult cases such as medical complications, crisis pregnancy or decision to terminate.In the Republic of Ireland, terminations are currently allowed only when the … Read more

Moving To Ireland? Stock Up On These Items Before You Arrive

If you are relocating to the Emerald Isle in the near future, being purposeful and practical about what to pack is essential. It is human nature to want to pack anything and everything when moving abroad to live, but knowing just what to stock up on before you arrive can save you time, money and … Read more

Dublin: What To Know Before You Arrive

The largest city in Ireland, Dublin is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for both tourists and expats. Life in Dublin is high-spirited, fulfilling, and modern. However, life in the city can get a bit confusing if you are not used to the Irish way of life! As the capital of Ireland, Dublin … Read more

Ireland – Recommended Social Media Accounts

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Ireland and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.Expats in DublinFacebook GroupA Facebook group created … Read more

Six Scenic Train Trips You Can Take From Dublin

Today Dublin, the capital of and largest city in Ireland, serves as a corporate gateway to the rest of Europe. Its booming IT industry attracts expats from different parts of the world, especially the United States and Europe. Lucrative jobs are also available in the many major pharmaceutical companies that have set up headquarters or … Read more

9 Reasons Why Moving To Ireland Will Make Your Life Better

There are many reasons why expats should consider moving to Ireland. They’re thinking about the move not just because the economy is picking up once more but also because it’s a great expat destination. Indeed, Ireland always ranks well in various expat surveys and consultants ECA International ranks Dublin as the world’s second best city … Read more

Ireland – Recommended Blogs

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Ireland and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there. Casa Caudillhttp://www.casacaudill.com/ Romance novelist by day, mischievous American expat in Ireland … Read more

Ten Resources For Expats Who Want To Learn Irish Gaelic

Every year, in the run-up to St Patrick’s Day, there’s a two-week festival called Seachtain na Gaeilge, meaning ‘Irish Language Week’, which celebrates and promotes the Irish language around the country and the world. It’s a great way to celebrate this beautiful language that is unfortunately little used even in its home country.Irish Gaelic is … Read more

Why Moving To Ireland Will (Probably) Make You Happier

Mention Ireland, and the associations that come to mind will almost certainly be positive – Irish music, both modern and traditional, Irish whiskey, Guinness, the Gaelic language, the Irish accent, Irish literature, and plenty more. Even the more unpleasant associations tend to be filtered through the lens of cinema or nostalgia. Fortunately, it turns out … Read more

How Do You Find A Job In Ireland As An Expat?

Ireland may be a small country, but it has a grand cultural heritage of art, music and folklore. It is home to some of the most beautiful castles in the world, and its natural landscapes look like they’re straight out of a picture book. The people of this tiny island are large-hearted and are widely … Read more

Ireland – Top Five Expat Blogs

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Ireland and some of the bloggers who write about living there. Magnumladyhttp://magnumlady.com/ Magnumlady writes about her experiences living in Ireland, with fantastic photos illustrating … Read more

A Guide to Funding College Education In Ireland

Ireland is a great destination to further your studies due to the sheer variety of courses on offer. Ireland is reputed for its educational excellence and also happens to have one of the youngest populations in all of Europe. English is the main language of the country and international students will find it easy to … Read more

Where to Live in Dublin – A Guide for Expat Professionals

Dublin, the most populous city in Ireland, has attained more and more of an international character as this century has progressed, now being listed as an “Alpha-” city in the prestigious rankings of the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. Though unlikely to ever reach the “Alpha ++” plateau that is lorded over by New … Read more

The Celtic Tiger Economy – Signs of a Re-Emergence?

During a period spanning roughly 1995 to 2008, when the global financial crisis erupted, Ireland experienced a period of unprecedented economic growth. This was seen as being due to a convergence of different factors including a low corporate taxation rate, the local establishment of branches of major technological companies (e.g. Intel, Microsoft), and an increased … Read more

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