🇮🇪 Ireland
Dublin: what to see and whether to move there
Dublin is a compact capital of literature and pints on the River Liffey, where statues of Joyce and Wilde watch over queues outside cheerful pubs. It's friendly, walkable, and rarely without live music playing somewhere nearby.
Trinity College & Book of Kells
Ireland's oldest university, home to the medieval Long Room and a 9th-century illuminated gospel.
Guinness Storehouse
An interactive museum in a seven-story former brewery, topped by a panoramic rooftop bar.
Dublin Castle
A centuries-old seat of power blending Norman towers with Georgian state rooms.
National Gallery of Ireland
A free collection of European painting, including works by Caravaggio and Ireland's own masters.
Phoenix Park
One of Europe's largest city parks, home to wild deer and the president's residence.
Temple Bar
A cobbled riverside quarter packed with pubs, live music, and the city's liveliest nightlife.
George's Street Arcade
A Victorian covered market of vintage stalls, coffee shops, and street food.
3Fe Coffee
A pioneer of Dublin's third-wave coffee scene, known for a flawless flat white and minimalist decor.
The Church
A restaurant and bar set inside a converted 18th-century Georgian church, complete with stained glass and organ.
Ha'penny Bridge
An elegant pedestrian bridge over the Liffey and one of the most photographed views in the city.
What the city lives on and who it suits
Dublin is Ireland's capital and main city: about one and a half million people live in the metro area, almost a third of the population. It hosts European headquarters of major tech and pharma companies, banks, funds and aircraft leasing, thanks to the 12.5% corporate tax, English and European Union market access. Hence strong demand for specialists and above-average European salaries.
The downside is the housing crisis. Rentals are scarce and expensive, and finding a flat often takes weeks. The city is compact and lively, with pubs, music and the sea half an hour away, but the weather is changeable: a mild winter without snow and a cool summer with frequent rain.
It suits specialists in IT, finance and pharma with a job offer, families who value English and strong schools, and high-income retirees. It does not suit those seeking cheap living or wanting to move without a job or substantial income.
Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle
| Area | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| City centre, Dublin 2 and the Docklands | those working in tech offices who want to walk |
| Ranelagh and Rathmines | young professionals: cafés, tram to the centre |
| Ballsbridge and Donnybrook | families and those who value embassies, quiet and good schools |
| Clontarf and Howth | those who want to live by the sea in the north |
| Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey | families: the sea and the suburban train to the centre |
| Sandyford | those working in the southern business parks, newer housing |
The closer to the tram or suburban rail, the higher the rent, but without them the commute through traffic takes a long time.
Cost of living
| Item | Approx. per month |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat in the city | €2,200-2,800, ~$2,500-3,200 |
| Two-bedroom flat | €2,800-3,600 |
| Groceries for one | €350-450 |
| Transport pass | ~€100-140 |
| Private health insurance | from €100 per person |
A single person lives comfortably on about €3,500-4,500 a month including rent, a family with a child from €6,000. Housing is the main cost, taking up to half the budget. Dollars at the European Central Bank rate of 05.10.2026, rounded up.
Practicalities: transport, climate, money
- Transport. Two tram lines, a coastal suburban railway and buses, paid with one card; trips within 90 minutes count as one.
- Climate. Mild maritime: about +5-8 in winter, +18-20 in summer, rain in any season.
- Money. The euro; cards are accepted everywhere and cash is rarely needed. A bank account needs an Irish address.
- Taxes. 20% up to €44,000 of income and 40% above, plus the universal social charge and contributions. See Ireland taxes.
- Schengen. Ireland is not in Schengen but forms a common travel area with the UK.
Family: schools and healthcare
Public schools are free, but most primary schools are historically church-run and popular areas have waiting lists, so look for a place right after choosing housing. Private secondary schools cost about €5,000-10,000 a year. A GP visit is usually paid, about €60-70, and free for children under 8. Many employers pay for private insurance, which shortens waits for planned care.
Moving and legal status
| Basis | Main condition in 2026 | About, $ |
|---|---|---|
| Critical skills employment permit | salary from €40,904 a year from 1 March 2026 for listed occupations | $45,900 |
| Same, high-earner route | from €68,911 a year for other occupations | $77,300 |
| Retirees and people of independent means | income from €50,000 a year per person, private insurance, a reserve | $56,100 |
| Startup | an innovative project and seed capital | startup visa |
The critical skills permit lets you move after 2 years to a status without a work permit and bring your family. Citizenship comes after 5 years of residence in the last 9; see Irish citizenship. Ireland has no remote work visa.
First steps after the move
- register your permission with the immigration service and get a residence card if you stay over 90 days;
- get a personal public service number: without it payroll and some services cannot be set up properly;
- open a bank account, which needs an Irish address;
- register with a GP: popular areas have waiting lists for new patients;
- get a transport card and apply for school places for children.
Is the city worth considering for living
Yes, if you have a job offer or high income: Dublin offers careers in international companies, English, strong schools and a clear 5-year path to citizenship. No, if your budget is tight or you need a remote work visa: rent eats most of your income, and there is no such visa. We choose the basis, calculate budget and taxes and support the move; we fix our fee after a free consultation.
Services
Murblz services in Ireland
A passport or residence permit opens the door, but life behind it is awkward without a bank account and a roof over your head. Murblz specialists help with the account, property and company in the same country. The quote is fixed in writing before work starts.
FAQ
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Relocation options
Want to set up a company in Dublin?
We register an Irish company, find an EEA-resident director if one is needed and open a business account. The catalogue covers company registration in every country.