Moving to Ireland as an American is one of the most exciting decisions you will make — and one of the most logistically complex to navigate in the first three months. The 90-day window after arrival is critical: your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) must be registered within that period, your PPS Number unlocks almost everything else, and a handful of administrative tasks need to happen in the right order or they block each other.
This checklist covers every step in the sequence that actually works — what to do before you land, what must happen in week one, and what you can tackle through month three. If you are also weighing where to settle, our guide to the best places in Ireland for Americans and our full breakdown of the cost of moving to Ireland are the best places to start.
Before You Land: What to Sort in the US
A few things are significantly easier to arrange before you board the plane.
- Confirm your employment permit approval letter. Your Critical Skills Employment Permit (or other work permit) approval letter is required for your PPS Number appointment in Ireland. Do not travel without it.
- Open a Revolut or N26 account. Both are digital banks operating in Ireland that can be set up entirely via app — just your passport and a selfie. You get an Irish IBAN within hours, no Irish address required. This is essential for early expenses before your main Irish bank account opens.
- Arrange temporary accommodation. You need a proof of Irish address dated within three months to get your PPS Number and to register your IRP. Arrange at least 8–12 weeks of accommodation before you arrive.
- Secure health insurance from day one. American health insurance does not cover you in Ireland. Arrange private health insurance with VHI, Laya Healthcare, or Irish Life Health to start on your arrival date.
- Make certified copies of everything. Bring multiple certified copies of your passport, employment documents, and US driving licence. Many Irish offices still require originals and paper copies simultaneously.
Week 1: Register Your Immigration Permission (IRP)
This is your most time-sensitive task. Every non-EEA national (including Americans) who plans to stay in Ireland longer than 90 days must register their immigration permission and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card — formerly called the GNIB card. The legal deadline is within 90 days of arrival.
Since January 2025, all first-time registrations must be booked online through the ISD Customer Portal at irishimmigration.ie. Dublin appointment wait times are currently running 8–10 weeks. This means most people will not physically receive their appointment within the 90-day window — the immigration service formally acknowledges this and will not penalise applicants who are actively waiting on a booked slot. Book your appointment on the day you arrive.
- Dublin registrants: Burgh Quay, Dublin. Online booking only — walk-ins are not accepted.
- Outside Dublin: Register at your local Garda (police) station.
Documents needed at your appointment:
- Valid US passport
- Employment permit or approval letter
- Proof of Irish address (utility bill, tenancy agreement, or landlord letter dated within three months)
- €300 registration fee (paid online in advance)
Your IRP card shows your stamp type. A Critical Skills Employment Permit holders receives Stamp 1H. After 21 months on a Critical Skills permit, you can apply for Stamp 4 — permission to live and work in Ireland without a separate employment permit. After five years of legal residency, you can apply for Irish citizenship.
Warning: Third-party agents offering to book IRP appointments for a fee are scams. Only book through your own account at irishimmigration.ie.
Month 1: PPS Number and Bank Account
Getting Your PPS Number
Your PPS Number (Personal Public Service Number) is a unique identifier — seven digits plus one or two letters — that unlocks access to employment, taxation, healthcare, and most public services in Ireland. You cannot legally work, pay taxes, or access most state services without one.
How to apply (2025–2026 process):
- Create a MyGovID account at mygovid.ie.
- Complete the online PPS application at mywelfare.ie/PPSN, uploading your employment permit as “evidence of need.”
- Book a mandatory in-person appointment at your nearest Intreo Centre or PPS Allocation Centre — walk-ins are not accepted.
- Attend with your US passport, proof of Irish address, and employment permit.
- Your PPS Number arrives by post within 2–4 weeks. In urgent cases, the DSP officer can provide an immediate letter at the appointment.
Opening an Irish Bank Account
The two-account strategy now works best for newcomers. Use your digital account (Revolut or N26) from day one, then open a traditional account once you have your PPS Number and a settled address.
Traditional banks — AIB, Bank of Ireland, An Post Money, and Permanent TSB — require an in-branch visit, your PPS Number, passport, and proof of Irish address dated within three months. Note that KBC and Ulster Bank exited the Irish market in 2023, so ignore any older guides that reference them.
The critical dependency: most Irish utility providers require payment by direct debit from an Irish bank account. A foreign card or non-Irish IBAN is typically rejected. Having your Revolut Irish IBAN from day one bridges this gap while your traditional account is being processed.
Month 2: Healthcare, GP Registration, and Everyday Life
Finding a GP
Ireland has no NHS equivalent. The HSE (Health Service Executive) administers the public health system, but most day-to-day healthcare goes through private GPs. Adults without a Medical Card or GP Visit Card pay the standard consultation fee of €50–€70 per visit.
- Use the HSE Find a GP tool at hse.ie to search by Eircode and filter by whether practices accept new patients.
- Expect to contact 5–10 practices before finding one with capacity, particularly in Dublin.
- Some practices charge a registration fee of up to €50.
- Register for the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) early — this caps your household’s prescription costs at €80 per month, regardless of what you spend.
Medical Card and GP Visit Card: Both are income-tested. Most Americans on professional salaries will not qualify for the Medical Card, which covers free GP visits and subsidised prescriptions. All children under eight are entitled to a free GP Visit Card regardless of household income.
Driving in Ireland
Americans can drive on a valid US licence for up to 12 months after becoming an Irish resident. After that, you must hold an Irish licence — and there is currently no reciprocal exchange agreement between the US and Ireland, meaning you cannot simply swap your US licence for an Irish one.
After 12 months you must sit an Irish theory test, complete six Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons, and pass the Irish practical driving test. There is active political pressure for an exchange agreement with certain US states (New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts are the current focus), but no change is in place as of mid-2026. Monitor the Road Safety Authority at rsa.ie for updates.
Utilities
Ireland’s energy market is deregulated. Major electricity suppliers include Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis Energy, SSE Airtricity, and Energia. Gas is not available at all addresses — check the Gas Networks Ireland map for your Eircode before signing up. For broadband, eir, Virgin Media, Sky, and SIRO are the main providers, with availability varying significantly by street.
If the property already has an active meter, switching it into your name takes 3–7 days. A new connection takes 1–3 weeks. Contact providers 2–4 weeks before your move-in date, and ensure your Irish bank account with direct debit capability is ready — foreign cards are typically not accepted.
Month 3: US Tax Obligations
Moving to Ireland does not end your US tax filing obligation. The United States taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live, and Ireland is no exception.
FBAR (FinCEN Form 114)
If the combined balance of all your foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any point during the calendar year, you must file an FBAR by April 15 (with an automatic extension to October 15, no application required). File through the FinCEN BSA E-Filing System — it is separate from your tax return.
FATCA (Form 8938)
Americans living abroad must attach Form 8938 to their tax return if foreign financial assets exceed $200,000 at year-end (or $300,000 at any point) as a single filer, or $400,000 / $600,000 for those married filing jointly. Irish banks share account data with Irish Revenue under the US–Ireland FATCA Intergovernmental Agreement, which is forwarded to the IRS. Assume all Irish accounts are visible to the IRS.
Avoiding Double Taxation
The US–Ireland Double Taxation Treaty (1998) prevents most income from being taxed fully by both countries. The two main tools:
- Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116): Offsets Irish income tax paid against your US tax liability, dollar-for-dollar. Note that Ireland’s Universal Social Charge (USC) and PRSI do not qualify — only income tax does. Excess credits carry forward up to ten years.
- Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555): Allows you to exclude up to $132,900 (2026 tax year, indexed annually) of foreign wages if you pass the 330-day physical presence test or the bona fide residence test.
Strongly recommended: hire a dual-qualified US/Irish tax advisor in your first year. The interaction of two tax systems is complex, mistakes are expensive, and FBAR penalties for non-willful violations start at $10,000 per account per year. Expat tax firms such as Bright!Tax, Greenback, or Taxes for Expats specialise in this situation.
If you are thinking beyond the immediate checklist — perhaps starting a business in Ireland — our complete guide for Americans starting a business in Ireland covers the full process step by step.
Your Moving to Ireland Checklist: Summary
Before you land:
- ☑ Confirm employment permit approval letter
- ☑ Open Revolut or N26 (Irish IBAN, no address required)
- ☑ Arrange 8–12 weeks of temporary accommodation
- ☑ Secure private health insurance from arrival date
- ☑ Make certified copies of passport and key documents
Day 1–7:
- ☑ Book IRP appointment at irishimmigration.ie immediately
- ☑ Note your Irish address (needed for PPS and banking)
Month 1:
- ☑ Apply for PPS Number via mywelfare.ie
- ☑ Open traditional bank account (AIB, Bank of Ireland, or An Post Money)
- ☑ Contact utility providers (electricity, gas, broadband)
- ☑ Register for the Drugs Payment Scheme
Month 2:
- ☑ Attend IRP appointment and receive IRP card
- ☑ Register with a GP
- ☑ Confirm utilities on direct debit
- ☑ Note your 12-month US driving licence deadline
Month 3:
- ☑ Review US tax obligations with a dual-qualified advisor
- ☑ Set FBAR/FATCA calendar reminders (April 15 / October 15)
- ☑ Confirm all PRTB/RTB tenancy deposit receipts are filed
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after arriving in Ireland must I register my immigration permission?
The legal requirement is within 90 days of arrival. However, due to appointment backlogs in Dublin (currently 8–10 weeks), the immigration service will not penalise applicants who have an appointment booked. Book your IRP appointment on the day you arrive — this is the most important single task in week one.
Can I open an Irish bank account before I have a PPS Number?
Yes — with a digital bank such as Revolut or N26, which require only a passport photo and selfie. Traditional banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland) require a PPS Number, so those accounts typically open 4–6 weeks after arrival once your number comes through.
Do I still need to file US taxes when living in Ireland?
Yes. The US taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. The US–Ireland Double Taxation Treaty and the Foreign Tax Credit prevent most income from being taxed twice, but you must still file US returns each year and report foreign accounts via FBAR and FATCA where thresholds are met.
How long can I drive in Ireland on my US driving licence?
For up to 12 months after becoming an Irish resident. After that, you must sit an Irish theory test and practical driving test. There is currently no US–Ireland licence exchange agreement, though this is under active discussion as of mid-2026.
Do I need private health insurance in Ireland?
It is strongly recommended. Without a Medical Card, you pay €50–€70 per GP visit and full prescription costs. Private health insurance from VHI, Laya Healthcare, or Irish Life Health covers hospital stays and specialist referrals. Many Critical Skills Employment Permit holders receive insurance as part of their employment package — confirm on arrival.
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