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Moving to Ireland - checklist check off tasks on a printed to-do list on a clipboard

Before Ireland

Things To Do before you leave SA

Whether you’ve been planning this move for five years or decided four months ago, one thing’s for sure: the final stretch feels overwhelming. That last-minute panic is real, and it hits everyone.

This checklist isn’t arranged in strict order of importance. Think of it as a practical companion to help you keep track of everything that needs doing, in a format you can work through at your own pace.

Best viewed on a bigger screen

For the best experience, view or download this checklist on a PC, laptop or tablet. If you’re using a phone, rotate it to landscape mode so you can see all the columns clearly.

Checklist of things to do

Home Affairs documents

Home Affairs Contacts

Employment in Ireland

Documents needed for Ireland

Budgeting for Ireland- can we afford it?

Visiting Ireland

Getting from the Airport to your accomodation

Map of Ireland with a green pin marking Dublin, representing activities and things to do after relocating

In Ireland

You’re Here. Now What?

You made it. The flights are behind you, the boxes are (probably) still everywhere, and Ireland is suddenly home. Take a breath, then take another one. The hard part is done.

What comes next is the settling-in stretch: PPS numbers, bank accounts, schools, GPs, a roof that feels like yours. None of it is dramatic, but there’s a lot of it, and most of it has to happen in a particular order.

This checklist isn’t arranged in strict order of importance. Think of it as a practical companion to help you tick things off as you find your feet, in a format you can work through at your own pace.

Best viewed on a bigger screen

For the best experience, view or download this checklist on a PC, laptop or tablet. If you’re using a phone, rotate it to landscape mode so you can see all the columns clearly.

Registration at Garda Immigration

HOUSING:

Buying property

Renting property

Ireland’s Housing Crisis

Proof of Address

Heating and power and Waste removal

TV licence

Internet, home phone, mobile phone, and TV

Water in Ireland

Home Contents and Building Insurance

Gardening, Household and Cleaning/ Upkeep expenses

PPS & TAX

PPS number and PSC card

Tips to getting your PPS approved

PRSI, USC, Tax, Pensions and Customs and Revenue

DRIVING and LICENCING:

Everything regarding Driving in Ireland

Letter of Entitlement

Public transport- including how to get from Airport to home

Exchanging your SA licence

Car Insurance

NCT, carseats, penalty points and road rules

CHILDREN IN IRELAND:

The basics

Enrollment

Homeschooling

Types of school

Supports and Transport

Child Benefit and the HRC1 form

Our furry children and plants

MEDICAL:

Medical in Ireland

Maternity care in Ireland 

Private medical insurance

LONG TERM LIFE:

Permanent residency and Naturalisation

Change of Circumstances

Habitual residence

Wills, Death, Guardianship and Residency

OTHER:

Family Reunification

I’m a South African passport holder, do I need a visa to go to the EU and/or UK? – visa guide to EU and Uk travel

South African passport renewals

Retention of South African Citizenship

Starting a business in Ireland