Moving abroad · US to Ireland

Cost of moving from the US to Ireland

Moves from the US to Ireland nearly doubled in a year, and most of them start with an employment permit. Here is what the move costs in euros, from the permit fee to the first month’s rent in Dublin.

Fees only, not immigration advice. Whether you qualify for a visa, and which route suits you, is for the official site (irishimmigration.ie) or a registered adviser (MARA in Australia, RCIC in Canada, the Immigration Advice Authority (formerly OISC) in the UK) or a solicitor. We are neither.

Who is moving, and how

For listed occupations; leads to Stamp 4 after two years.

Where you will live

Rent figure: average rent on new tenancies, Q1 2026. Deposit at most 1 month’s rent, and at most 1 month’s rent in advance.

Getting there and settling in

Our estimate for your household, change it: food, transport, bills, phone.

Money you need to move

€15,939 – €20,795+
about US$17,745 – US$23,151+ at the ECB rate of 28 October 2026 (1 USD = 0.8982 EUR)
    CostEUR
    Visa and permit feesOfficial fee pages, per person (see the route’s notes)€1,300
    Flights (one way)Our estimate, change it: prices move daily€314 – €808
    Shipping your belongingsPublished mover prices, kept as a range€485 – €1,347+
    Rental deposit and first month’s rentOfficial rent statistics and the deposit law€4,670
    Setting upOur estimate, change it€2,500 – €6,000
    Buffer until first paydayMonths × (rent + other monthly spending, our estimate)€6,670
    Total€15,939 – €20,795+

    Not included: an entry visa where your nationality needs one, and the cost of degree or qualification checks.

    What to do first

    1. Get the job offer first: both employment permits are applied for once an Irish employer has offered you the role, and many employers pay the permit fee.
    2. Ask your employer which permit applies (Critical Skills or General) and who pays the fee.
    3. Book a first-weeks stay before you fly; Dublin rentals let fast and landlords usually ask for references.
    4. Plan the Irish Residence Permit appointment soon after you arrive, at €300 per adult.
    5. Get three written moving quotes that state whether Irish customs (form C&E 1076) and delivery are included.

    Visa and permit fees for Ireland

    The fees below are the official charges for each route, per person, as published on the date shown. They are what you pay the government; agent or lawyer fees are extra. The fee that applies is usually the one in force when you submit and pay, not when you started.

    Critical Skills Employment Permit

    For listed occupations; leads to Stamp 4 after two years.

    FeeMain applicantEach other adultEach child
    Employment permit fee (90% refunded if refused) (employer usually pays)
    Department of Enterprise: Critical Skills Employment Permit, checked 29 October 2026    		 €1,000.00 €0.00 €0.00
    Irish Residence Permit registration (adults; under-18s exempt)
    Immigration Service Delivery: registration (IRP) fee, checked 29 October 2026    		 €300.00 €300.00 €0.00

    Not included: an entry visa where your nationality needs one, and the cost of degree or qualification checks.

    General Employment Permit

    For most other occupations; a labour market needs test usually applies.

    FeeMain applicantEach other adultEach child
    Employment permit fee (up to 2 years) (employer sometimes pays)
    Department of Enterprise: General Employment Permit, checked 29 October 2026    		 €1,000.00 €0.00 €0.00
    Irish Residence Permit registration (adults; under-18s exempt)
    Immigration Service Delivery: registration (IRP) fee, checked 29 October 2026    		 €300.00 €300.00 €0.00

    Not included: an entry visa where your nationality needs one.

    Rent, deposit and the first month

    The rent figures are official statistics, not asking prices, so a new lease in a popular area often costs more. The deposit is set by law in each place, which is why it differs between cities:

    Flights, shipping and setting up

    Flights are our estimate of a one-way economy fare from the US (US$350 to US$900 per person); type your own fare to replace it. Shipping prices are the ranges movers publish, door to door unless they say otherwise:

    Setting up covers about two weeks of temporary accommodation, basic furniture and kitchen kit, a phone plan and local transport for the first weeks: €2,500 to €6,000 for one or two people, our estimate, scaled up for larger households. The buffer is the number of months you choose multiplied by your rent plus other monthly spending; most people need at least one month before the first pay arrives.

    Rules that cost money after you arrive

    The calculator counts what you pay to get there. These rules decide what the first year costs once you land, and most cost guides leave them out:

    Other moves

    Frequently asked questions

    How much money do I need to move from the US to Ireland?
    For one adult on the Critical Skills Employment Permit route renting in Dublin, our default works out at €15,939 – €20,795+, or about US$17,745 – US$23,151 at the ECB rate of 28 October 2026. It includes visa fees, a one-way flight, a shared shipment, the deposit and first month's rent, setting up, and two months of living costs as a buffer. Change any input to match your plans.
    Does this page tell me which visa I qualify for?
    No. It shows fees only. Whether you qualify, and which route suits you, is for the official site (irishimmigration.ie) or a solicitor or an adviser registered with the Irish immigration authorities.
    Why are some lines ranges?
    Flights and shipping are quoted differently by every airline and mover, and setting-up costs depend on how you live, so we keep the published spread instead of picking one number. Visa fees and deposits are fixed by law or by the official fee list, so they are single figures.
    How current are these figures?
    Every fee and statistic was checked on 29 October 2026 and each line names its source. Check the official page on the day you pay.

    Sources and how we checked

    Exchange rate: European Central Bank reference rates of 28 October 2026, converted through the euro (1 USD = 0.8982 EUR). Your bank or transfer service will use its own rate. Figures are general information, not financial or immigration advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us. Disclaimer.