Stamp 0 is the permission a retiree applies for when there is no Irish family and no job offer. The immigration service looks for an income of €50,000 a year, for each person.
Watch: 7 Legal Ways to Move to Ireland from the USA
The video starts at the part that answers this question. For the whole picture, read 7 Legal Ways to Move to Ireland from the USA (2026).
Subscribe to Love Ireland on YouTube for a new plain-English guide to Ireland every week. The full video is on YouTube: 7 Legal Ways to Move to Ireland from the USA (2026).
What you need
- An income of €50,000 a year, for each person.
- For a couple, Ireland’s Citizens Information service says €100,000.
- A lump sum for sudden major expenses.
- Private health insurance.
When to apply
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You must apply before you arrive, and the average wait is 4 months. For the full step-by-step process, see How to Retire in Ireland: Step by Step.
The catch
You cannot work, claim benefits, or use a public hospital. And Stamp 0 does not count toward long-term residency. See Retiring in Ireland: What the Permission Allows for the full list of restrictions.
For the full detail on the income, the savings, and how to apply, read Can an American Retire in Ireland? The €50,000 Income Rule.
Rules and fees change, so check the official pages before you apply.
General information, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Facts checked against official Irish government pages on October 12, 2026.
Official sources
- Immigration Service Delivery: I Want to Retire to Ireland
- Citizens Information: Retiring to Ireland
- Immigration Service Delivery: Immigration Permission Stamps
- Immigration Service Delivery: Long Term Residency
Subscribe to Love Ireland on YouTube for a new plain-English guide to Ireland every week. The full video is on YouTube: 7 Legal Ways to Move to Ireland from the USA (2026).
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