Making your home in a new city can be hard. It takes lots of planning to relocate, but that’s just the start. Once you arrive, you’ll need to find accommodation, set up bank accounts and find your nearest bus stop. Getting settled in Dublin takes time, but plenty of resources are available to help.

Ask your employer or college

Some employers, universities and colleges in Dublin have staff that will help you get settled. DCU and TU Dublin, for example, have international offices that assist with the likes of students visas and accommodation searches.

Search for Facebook groups

Many new arrivals to Dublin will be able to find Facebook groups set up by compatriots who already live here. Groups like Brazilians Living in Dublin, Indians in Dublin and American expats in Dublin provide the perfect platform for getting advice from those who’ve been through it all before. Whether you’re looking for guidance on visas or hunting for food from home, they can be a gold mine of information.

Check for advice from your government

Some nations provide helpful guidance for citizens who are relocating to Ireland. They often highlight important information like contrasting laws and reciprocal healthcare agreements. Here is advice from the Australian Government, the UK Government and the US Embassy, for example. It’s also a good idea to check if your country has an embassy in Ireland that you can turn to for guidance.

Bookmark these websites

Our website, Dublin.ie, provides a range of useful articles for anyone who has just settled in Dublin. We suggest browsing the pages for practical information like how to connect utilities, opening a bank account and an introduction to Irish employment rights.

It’s also a good idea to bookmark the Citizen’s Information website. It is run by a statutory body which provides the public with reliable information and advice on life in Ireland. It covers a wide range of topics from rights and taxation to redirecting mail and reading Irish product labels.

If you’re getting settled in Dublin, check out the articles below for information on everything from finding accommodation to sorting your recyclables.

To Let sign on house

live

Accommodation in Dublin

Accommodation is available in Dublin, but it’s limited – and this is reflected in its cost. Excellent employment opportunities, a booming multinational sector and a high density of third-level institutions have driven demand in recent years. The Government are trying to address the issue and new developments are underway, but the shortage is expected to remain a problem for some time to come. There are so many great reasons to live in Dublin, but sometimes finding a place to live can be daunting. Here’s what you need to know about house hunting in the capital. Renting in Dublin Although average

person pushing shopping trolley

live

The cost of living in Dublin

Is Dublin expensive? While there are plenty of reasons to live in Dublin, it’s not a cheap city. A recent survey by ECA International has named Dublin as the 9th most expensive city in Europe, rising four places from the previous year. While Dublin is less expensive than Paris, Geneva, Copenhagen, Oslo, Vienna, Helsinki and Frankfurt, it’s more expensive than the likes of Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona and Milan. Our nearest neighbours in London p

bins being collected

live

Recycling and waste disposal in Dublin

In 2019, Ireland recovered and recycled one million tonnes of waste for the first time. That year, 67.5% of all suitable materials were recycled and we significantly exceeded our EU waste targets. More recently, Dublin City Council noticed a further 18% jump in recycling during the pandemic. Dubliners are switched on to how important recycling is, but it can take some time to get used

ESB van

live

Setting up utilities

Whether you rent or buy a home in Dublin, it’s important to know how to set up utilities. Renters also need to be aware that the relationship between a tenant and their landlord differs from other countries. Here’s how things stand in Dublin. How to set up utilities in a new home As a tenant or owner occupier, you are responsible for setting up your home’s utilities in your own name. If you’re renting, make sure your landlord tells you which companies supply your gas and electricity. This means you can contact them to take over the account – or move it to another supplier. If you purchase a home, your estate agent will be able to tell you w

a man walking by a blue credit union sign on his way to open a bank account

live

Opening bank and credit union accounts

You will need to open an Irish bank account, if only to receive your salary – most Irish employers will not deposit your pay into a foreign account. There are two ways to do this – in person or online. Either way, you won’t be able to do this before you arrive in Ireland. Due to anti-money laundering legislation, most Irish banks will want to meet you in person before opening an account for you.

sign over entrance of Mater healthcare hospital in Dublin

live

Public and private healthcare in Ireland

The system for healthcare in Ireland is divided into two tiers: public and private. While everyone living in Dublin is well served with hospitals and local health services, the system can be difficult to navigate. Here, we cover the basics of using and accessing Dublin’s health services. Public healthcare Ireland’s public healthcare system offers world-class care, partly funded by the Government. Dublin is home to 14 public hospitals, some of which specialise in the likes of cancer services, children’s healthcare and maternity care. Some of these hospitals also have emergency d

teacher with children

live

Family supports and childcare

Dublin is a great place to raise a family – this is just one of the benefits of living in the city. As well as an excellent school system, your children will be able to enjoy beautiful parks, open spaces and nearby beaches and mountains. All while growing up in a safe and cultured society. Plenty of family supports are available too. If you’re moving to the city, here’s what you need to know about

Secondary school students in a lab

live

The school system in Ireland

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) surveys the world’s education systems every three years. It tests over 500,000 students across 72 countries to measure their abilities in science, maths and reading. Ireland consistently excels in these tests. The most recent results indicate that Irish students perform better than the OECD average across all three categories. Interestingly, immigrant students in Ireland perform better than their counterparts in other countries too. This is a credit to the school system in Ireland and provides one of the best

female Garda maintaining people's safety in dublin street

live

Is Dublin safe to live in?

Is Ireland safe? Ireland is generally a safe place to visit and live. The 2020 Global Peace Index ranks it as the 12th safest country in the world. While we trail behind countries like Denmark, Canada and Japan, we’re streets ahead of our nearest European neighbours. Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK and France rank 17th, 21st, 42nd and 66th, respectively. Ireland’s scores in terms of homicides, weapon imports and imprisoned population are particularly low. According to a 

Dublin Fire Brigade tackling a fire

live

Emergency numbers and helplines

Emergency numbers in Ireland Wherever you live, knowing the local emergency numbers is important. If you need the emergency services, including the police, the fire brigade or an ambulance, call 112 or 999. (In Ireland, we call our police force An Garda Síochána or the Gardaí.) If you plan to travel during your time in Dublin, it’s worth noting that 112 is a European-wide emergency number and can be reached free of charge in all the EU member states. In the UK, both 112 and 999 will work in an emergency too. When to call Only call 112 or 999 in genuine emer