Ultimate Survival Guide: Ireland — All You Need To Know. Part 1: Accommodation
Traveling and moving to live abroad has never been easier, with expanding EU more and more people around Europe is deciding to try their luck elsewhere. I was no exception.
When I decided to move to Ireland the first thing was to gather all information I might need. Online forums, chats, official websites and Facebook groups — I was spending hours and hours reading, researching and looking for information.
The more I was looking the more confused I was getting. What is true, who to trust?
I was frustrated!
Now, after three years of living in Ireland I can see that this is still a common problem. By looking at Facebook groups I can still see many people trying to figure this out. And I know the feeling.
That is the reason I have decided to write this Guide and here you will find all relevant information in one place — information about accommodation, finding a job, taxes, public transport and many other useful things.
Loving life is easy when you are abroad. Where no one knows you and you hold life in your hands all alone, you are more master of yourself than at any other time.
Hannah Arendt
In the first part of this Guide you will learn about:
1. What and where to rent?
2. How to get a PPS Number?
3. List of main groups to find a room or house to rent
4. List of the most popular web sites for finding accommodation
5. 4 reasons why you can’t get a place to rent (and how to fix it)
6. Bonus
1. What and where to rent?
When it comes to renting a place to live it all depends on your preferences. Do you want to live close to the city center or you want a quiet and peaceful neighborhood? Do you want a private room or you don’t mind sharing? How much is your budget? etc.
Have in mind you will need to have at least two month rent prepared in advance (first month rent + deposit).
When you decide what exactly are you looking and how much is your budget you can start your search.
The more flexible you are, the easier will be to find something. Do not worry too much about your first accommodation, if you just arrived to Ireland and you have a limited budget just focus on finding anything available for the beginning.
Later, when you get a job and save some money you can find something better and more close to your preferences.
You can start looking for a place only after you arrive to Ireland. Everything happens very fast here and you need to be available for viewings.
Two great available option, until you find your own place are:
1. Hostel
2. Home Stay.
Hostel is a more expensive option and the price vary from 20€ to 40€ depending on the time of the year.
Home Stay is around 20€ per night per person and it is generally located further away from the city center.
Airbnb is also an option, depending on the location can be cheaper or much more expensive if it’s closer to the city center, however if you are arriving as a group Airbnb could be a fair price option.
2. How to get a PPS Number?
PPSN (Personal Public Service number) is a unique identification number used for any public services, it’s a number government bodies use to identify you when dealing with any public services related matter such as:
- Public Heath Services
- Driving Licence
- Housing grant
- Social welfare
- Tax and Revenue
1. Online registration
To register online you will need to visit MyGovID. To apply for PPS number you need to register and create your profile.
The registration is quick and you need to have an e-mail address on which you will receive a code, fill in the personal details and finish the registration.
After registering, via MyGov ID you will need to login to My Welfare (login with MyGovID) and from there you can apply for an appointment for PPS number.
Extra tip:
Even though on official web site it’s written you cannot apply for PPS appointment if you are not in Ireland, you can apply online because you will need to wait at least few weeks.
If you know the exact date of your arrival go ahead and make an appointment for an approximate date of few days after your arrival. This will save you time and you will be able to obtain the PPS number more quickly.
2. Paperwork
beside the ID or passport you will also need a proof that you are living in Ireland — you can use several documents to prove your residency, such as:
- Electricity, gas, internet or any other bill
- Official document (e.g. letter from landlord)
- Bank Statement
- Contract (in case you have renter a house on your name)
- Proof of address from school, college or your employer
With your ID or passport and one of above documents you are going to the appointment for PPS number.
The address is 24 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, D02 T283 (Social Welfare Appeals Office). The meeting is short, usually around 10–15 min and you will be asked a couple of simple questions — why did you decide to move to Ireland, what are your plans for the future and similar.
After approximately one week you will receive a letter on the address provided. The letter will contain your PPS card and can also serve as proof of address for future reference.
Now you can register on Revenue. After the registration you will not be on Emergency tax anymore. On this Link you will find all other centers.
Frequently asked questions you can find here.
If you have any other questions on this link you can find contact details on who to contact for further information.
Extra tip: Homestay is a site where you can find a host. It is surely a better option then the hostel because:
1. You will have an address (very important for job search and getting a PPS number.
2. You will sleep better (hostel can get pretty noise as often you have to share a room with more than ten person)
3. Your host can help you with various things (Irish people are very friendly and always ready to help). For example, my host drove me to work for few days when the bus drivers were in strike.
In some cases a Hostel can also give you a proof of address letter but in which case they require for you to book (and pay) for several weeks in advance.
3. List of main groups to find a room or house to rent
2. Dublin Rent a room/house/apartment/flat/accommodation
4. Dublin rooms and flats to rent
4. List of the most popular web sites for finding accommodation
5. 4 reasons why you can’t get a place to rent (and how to fix it)
1. Employment
Main reason why no-one will rent you an apartment is if you don’t have a job! Logically, for the landlord the most important thing is that you can pay the rent. If he sees that you don’t have a job or a steady monthly income he will definitely reject your application!
Luckily, in Dublin is easier to find a job then accommodation so you can quickly fix this problem. Even if you don’t have a high paying job but the company you are working for has a good reputation or is a famous brand — it will be in your advantage.
2. Reference letters
Reference letter is another very important thing when it comes to renting and if you don’t have a reference letter many landlords will not even take you in consideration.
If this is your first time renting in Ireland you probably wont have it, but at least try to get a reference from previous landlords in your own country or a reference from employer.
3. Child
Many landlords will not rent out a place to people with kids from a simple reason — it is harder and more strict to “kick out” the tenants if they will need a place in future.
What to do in this case?
It is not ideal, but if you are really in a position that you cannot wait, simply don’t say you have kids.
4. Appearance
When you are going to viewings, try to look as good as possible. Leaving an image of a serious and neat person will help you to get choose for the apartment.
If you look messy, the landlord will think that you will not be able to take a good care of the place and will reject you.
Preferred dress code is business casual.
6. Bonus
HelpX is a web site where you can find all sorts of accommodation, including cheap hostels, home stay, B&b’s, farms and even sailing boats. It works in the way that they provide free accommodation and food (in most cases) in exchange for few hours of work per day.
If you just arrived to Ireland and you have limited budget this can be a good way to save money on food and accommodation until you find a job, but also a great opportunity to learn something new and add a great experience on your CV.
Workaway works on a similar way as HelpX, but the emphasis is on cultural exchange and experience “Travel cheaply and stay for free, whilst making a difference to the communities you visit “ is what they promote on their web site.
In the next part (part 2. Employment) of this Guide I will write about:
- Emergency Tax
2. Payslip
3. What is the easiest way to get a job?
4. List of web sites for a job search
5. Recruitment Agencies
6. Bonus
