Emigration to Ireland: how can Ukrainians move in 2025?
Inhaltsübersicht
- What documents are required to enter Ireland?
- Step-by-step algorithm for moving to Ireland
- What changes are expected for Ukrainians in Ireland in 2025?
- Temporary protection in Ireland for Ukrainians
- How to get an Irish Personal Public Services (PPS) number?
- Emigration to Ireland for investors
- Is it possible to obtain Irish citizenship?
- Healthcare system in Ireland
- Work permit in Ireland

Ireland is an attractive country for emigration due to its developed economy, high standard of living and English-speaking environment. Find out more about how Ukrainian citizens can legally move to Ireland in 2025, what types of visas and permits are available, and the main stages of emigration
Ireland is known not only for its picturesque nature and high standard of living, but also for its modern economy, friendly attitude towards migrants and English-speaking environment. The country continues to support Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes.
In this article, we have collected all the useful and relevant information on moving to Ireland for Ukrainians. Here are step-by-step instructions for moving to this country.
What documents are required to enter Ireland?
To enter Ireland, Ukrainian citizens must have a valid biometric passport. In addition, additional documents may be required:
- Confirmation of the purpose of the trip (for example, a hotel reservation or invitation);
- Return ticket or confirmation of onward travel;
- Documents for children: each child must have their own biometric passport. In case of its absence, it is necessary to issue a document in advance or add information about children to the parents' passport;
- Health insurance: although not mandatory, it provides coverage in case of illness or injury during your stay in Ireland.
Compliance with these requirements will help to avoid problems during your trip.
Green Card for moving to Ireland by car
If you are planning to move to Ireland by your own car, you will definitely need an international car insurance Green Card. This document confirms that your car is insured outside of Ukraine. Without a Green Card, it is impossible to enter Ireland by car.
You can apply for a Green Card online through the Visit Ukraine platform. This is a quick and convenient way to get the necessary insurance policy that provides financial protection in case of unforeseen situations on the roads abroad.
Health insurance for travel to Ireland
Health insurance is not mandatory for traveling to Ireland, but it remains an important element of safe travel. In the event of an illness or accident, the cost of treatment abroad can be significant. A health insurance policy will cover these costs, providing you with financial protection and peace of mind during your trip.
You can apply for health insurance quickly and conveniently online through the Visit Ukraine platform. The process takes only a few minutes and allows you to choose the policy that best suits your needs.
Step-by-step algorithm for moving to Ireland
Step 1. Determine the purpose and type of visa
First, you need to understand the purpose of your trip to Ireland: work, study, family reunification, or business. This determines the list of required documents and the application procedure. Suppose you are unsure about the best way to go or are unaware of the current legislative changes in 2025. In that case, you can get professional legal advice from migration lawyers on the Visit Ukraine platform. Our specialists will provide legal support in choosing and obtaining permits, preparing documents, etc.
Step 2. Arriving in Ireland without a visa
It is important to note that Ukrainians do not need a visa to Ireland. At the border control, you will receive an entry stamp that gives you the right to stay in the country for up to 90 days. If the purpose is tourism or a short visit, it is enough to adhere to the departure date. To emigrate, the next step is to register with the migration authorities.
Step 3. Registration with the migration service
In large cities, this is the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), in other regions - local officers (Immigration Officers). At this registration, you will receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) and a Stamp (a mark that determines your status in the country - for example, Stamp 1 for workers, Stamp 2 for students, Stamp 3 for dependents, Stamp 4 for persons with permanent residence, etc.)
What you need to register:
1. A valid passport;
2. Proof of the purpose of stay (employment contract, letter from the university, etc.);
3. Proof of accommodation (lease agreement or letter from the owner);
4. Health insurance (subject to conditions - Irish or international coverage may be required);
5. Payment of the state fee (charged for the IRP).
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What changes are expected for Ukrainians in Ireland in 2025?
According to The Irish Times, Ireland plans to stop providing free housing for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in March 2025. This decision is part of a broader government strategy to regulate the flow of migrants and optimize costs.
As of 2024, about 35,833 Ukrainians are living in free housing provided by Ireland, which is significantly less than in 2023, when the number reached 58,830.
The government is considering several additional changes:
1. Setting a maximum period of stay in free housing for those who have lived there the longest;
2. Restricting access to public housing for people with high incomes above a certain threshold;
3. Deprivation of the right to re-housing at public expense in case of returning after going abroad.
Reductions in financial aid were also agreed upon. For Ukrainians living in full-board public housing, weekly payments have been reduced from €232 to €38.80, and child benefits will be €29.80 per week.
The changes will affect about 19,000 refugees who arrived after the outbreak of the war and are unemployed. The government also plans to provide housing in special centers that will provide basic services, including food and laundry.
Temporary protection in Ireland for Ukrainians
How can refugees from Ukraine get to Ireland? To do this, you can use the status of temporary protection, which is valid until March 4, 2026, as in many other European countries. This status allows you to live, work and study in Ireland, providing access to state support.
Who can get the status?
1. Citizens of Ukraine who resided in Ukraine before February 24, 2022;
2. Third-country nationals or stateless persons who received international or equivalent protection in Ukraine before February 24, 2022;
3. Family members of the above categories, including spouses, minor children and close relatives who lived together before February 24, 2022.
An application for temporary protection is submitted upon arrival in Ireland. Upon approval by the Department of Justice, a letter of authorization is issued, which provides access to public assistance.
Additional benefits of the status include access to the labor market, social benefits, housing and other public services.
Unregistered persons can apply to the Department of Justice at [email protected] for a residence permit (IRP Card for Ukrainians in Ireland).
Where can I apply for temporary protection in Ireland?
Temporary protection in Ireland can be obtained directly at the airports of Dublin or Limerick. A representative of the migration service will ask you a few questions during passport control and issue a special “yellow card”. This document gives you the right to reside in Ireland for one year with the possibility of an extension.
If you are arriving at another airport or by ferry, please contact your local Intreo social service, which will assist you in applying for your status. Please note that you do not have to apply for refugee status, as the procedure has limitations.
Centers for assistance to Ukrainians in Ireland:
- Cork: Hanover Street, Cork, T12 PX62;
- Dublin: Guild Building, Cork Street, Dublin 8, D08 XH90;
- Limerick: Riverstone House, Henry Street, Limerick, V94 R7YE.
The application process takes up to two weeks. Obtaining health insurance by status may take longer.
How to get an Irish Personal Public Services (PPS) number?
In order to access healthcare, education and the labor market in Ireland, Ukrainians need to obtain a PPS number (Personal Public Service Number). It is issued by the Department of Social Protection. This can be done at the Ukrainian assistance centers at the airport or at local Intreo centers.
PPSN is a unique identification number with 7 digits and two or three letters at the end. Every adult and child needs to get one.
Documents for registration:
- Ukrainian passport;
- ID card or other document confirming citizenship.
After submitting the application, the number will be confirmed on a plastic PSC (Public Services Card), which will be sent to your mailing address. You will need this card to register with government agencies and confirm your PPSN.
Opportunities after receiving a PPSN:
- Access to social benefits;
- The right to work without additional permits as EU citizens;
- Children are able to study in Irish schools from the moment they arrive in the country.
Emigration to Ireland for investors
Since 2012, Ireland has been offering investors an attractive Immigrant Investor Program (IIP), which provides flexible investment conditions and residence permits for investors and their families. To participate, investors must choose one of four investment options and visit Ireland annually to renew their residence permit if they do not plan to live in the country permanently.
Investment options under the IIP program:
1. Business investment - €1 million. Invest in Irish businesses, including start-ups or existing companies. The minimum investment period is 3 years;
2. Investment fund - €1 million. Funds are invested in funds approved by the Central Bank of Ireland with a minimum holding period of 3 years;
3. Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) - €2 million. Invest in Irish listed real estate funds. The asset holding period is also 3 years;
4. Charitable donation—€500,000. Contribute to projects related to the development of art, sports, culture, health, or education.
Is it possible to obtain Irish citizenship?
The next important question is how to obtain Irish citizenship for Ukrainians? To do this, you need to live in the country for at least 5 out of 9 years, and the last 12 months before applying for citizenship must be continuous. In addition, several conditions stipulated by the naturalization procedure must be met:
- Reach the age of majority;
- Have no criminal record either in Ireland or in the country of origin;
- Confirm the intention to reside permanently in Ireland after obtaining citizenship;
- Take an oath of allegiance to the nation and loyalty to the state.
The applicant is obliged to notify the Irish Immigration Service (ISD) of his/her intention to apply a year in advance. The official ISD portal has a special calculator that allows you to check whether the period of residence meets the requirements. The dates of entry into and exit from the country are entered for the calculation.
People of Irish descent can take advantage of a simplified repatriation procedure that does not require compliance with the standard conditions of naturalization. This advantage allows them to obtain citizenship faster.
What documents are required to obtain Irish citizenship?
The dossier for obtaining Irish citizenship is thoroughly checked by the immigration service, during which each document is evaluated in points (maximum - 150). If the package of documents does not receive the required number of points, the application is either returned for revision or considered if there is a written explanation of the reasons for the shortage.
The main criterion is to confirm the applicant's identity. To do this, you need to achieve 150 points, which can be done by submitting one document (e.g., passport) that meets all the requirements, or several documents that together will provide the required result.
All documents must be certified and submitted in color copies:
- Valid biometric passport - 150 points;
- An internal passport with less than a year of expiration - 75 points;
- An internal passport expired for more than a year - 50 points;
- Identity card issued by EU regulations - 50 points;
- Temporary passport, Red Cross/UN staff identification card - 50 points;
- Irish Residence Permit (IRP) - 75 points;
- Personal civil service number (your own or your employer's) - 25 points;
- Driver's license with a photo - 10 points.
To confirm residency in Ireland, a foreigner must provide at least one type A document (100 points) and one type B document (50 points). The minimum threshold for each year of residence is 150 points.
Type A documents include: certificates of employment, bank statements, reports on payment of contributions to the Department of Social Security. Type B documents include utility bills, rental agreements, credit card statements, or mortgage statements.
To naturalize as the spouse of an Irish person, you need to provide certified copies of your partner's naturalization certificate, passport or other proof of citizenship, marriage or partnership certificate, and a sworn statement from your partner.
If you still have any questions about the possibilities of obtaining Irish citizenship, please contact Visit Ukraine lawyers for advice, who will provide all the necessary clarifications, help with the collection of documents and submission of applications.
Healthcare system in Ireland
In Ireland, the state health insurance program covers mainly emergency care and primary consultations with a family doctor (GP), but 70% of the population without benefits have to pay for a significant part of medical services on their own. The main reason for this is insufficient government funding, as the healthcare system is financed by a single tax, and its amount is limited. Voluntary insurance remains expensive and not very popular, although some large companies offer corporate health insurance for employees with the option of adding family members.
Most healthcare facilities in Ireland belong to the private sector, so services for non-privileged categories of the population are mostly paid. For vulnerable populations, such as pensioners over 70 and children under 6, there are free service programs. People with low incomes receive benefits by confirming their income level every year.
The GP Visit Card entitles you to free basic services: GP consultations, house calls, tests, pregnancy management, and childbirth. For hospitalization, the patient pays from 80 euros for a bed in the ward, but the total cost does not exceed 800 euros per year.
The Extended Medical Card includes additional services: dental treatment, ophthalmology and audiology, psychotherapy, and the ordering of glasses or hearing aids. Special compensation programs are available for patients with serious illnesses.
Ukrainians in Ireland with permanent residence receive medical care at the level of local residents, while temporary residents use commercial insurance.
Work permit in Ireland
Temporary protection in Ireland allows you to work immediately without the need to apply for an additional work permit. You will have access to the labor market on an equal footing with EU citizens.
The Intreo social service will help you find a job, offering vacancies according to your experience and organizing access to qualification courses. The minimum hourly wage in the country is 10.5 euros, and the average income of employees reaches 3 thousand euros per month.
Volunteers greatly facilitate the job search by helping with resumes and even recommending candidates directly to employers. Many companies in Ireland actively employ Ukrainian refugees.
It is important to note that knowledge of English significantly increases the chances of getting a job with a higher salary.
Although Ukrainians do not need a visa to enter, the following work permits may be required for official employment:
1. Critical Skills Employment Permit: for highly skilled professionals in priority industries (IT, medicine, pharmaceuticals, engineering, etc.). The minimum salary is from 32,000 to 64,000 euros per year (depending on the industry). After 2 years with such a permit, you can get Stamp 4, which gives you the right to live and work without additional permission;
2. General Employment Permit: for specialists who do not fall under the “critical skills” category. The employer must prove that he/she cannot find an employee in the local labor market (Labour Market Needs Test). After 5 years of work with this permit, you can get Stamp 4;
3. Intra-Company Transfer: if you are already working for an international company and you are transferred to its office in Ireland. The permit is valid for a fixed period of time and does not provide for automatic permanent residence.
What professions are most in demand in Ireland?
According to the latest EURES report, Ireland is facing labor shortages in the following professions:
1. Drivers of heavy vehicles and trucks;
2. Bus and tram drivers;
3. Adjusters and operators of metalworking machines;
4. Welders and gas cutters;
5. Plumbers and plumbing fitters;
6. Carpenters and carpenters;
7. Home care workers;
8. Junior medical staff;
9. Cooks;
10. Technicians in chemical and physical sciences;
11. Software developers;
12. System analysts;
13. Healthcare workers, not elsewhere classified;
14. Specialists in patient care;
15. General practitioners;
16. Engineering professionals, not elsewhere classified;
17. Mechanical engineers;
18. Civil engineers;
19. Chemists;
20. Information and communication technology managers.
Thus, emigration to Ireland from Ukraine requires compliance with a clear algorithm of actions, from submitting documents to legalizing your stay. All these actions require careful analysis and preparation, which is not always possible for ordinary citizens without appropriate qualifications to complete.
Therefore, we advise you to contact the migration lawyers on the Visit Ukraine platform, who will help you with emigration to Ireland, take care of the process of submitting documents to various structures and obtaining appropriate decisions.
Visit Ukraine lawyers provide professional advice to Ukrainians on any migration issues. To get a professional consultation, choose a specialist profile, country, and a convenient format of cooperation. Contact our managers via Telegram or WhatsApp - they will help you choose the best option for your situation. Contact our specialists to make your migration to Ireland go quickly and without any problems.
We remind you! The Blue Card provides a great opportunity to develop your career, live and work in Europe. It opens the door to high earnings, stability and the possibility of integration into European society. Read more about the procedure for obtaining this document.
Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.
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Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;
Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;
Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;
Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;
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Häufig
gestellte Fragen
Welche Dokumente benötige ich für die Einreise nach Irland?
Brauchen Ukrainer für die Einreise nach Irland ein Visum?
Wie erhalte ich vorübergehenden Schutz in Irland?
Kann ich sofort nach meiner Ankunft arbeiten?
Welche Berufe sind in Irland gefragt?
Wie erhalte ich eine PPS-Nummer für den Zugang zu Gesundheitsversorgung und Beschäftigung?
Kann ich mit meinem eigenen Auto nach Irland ziehen?
Wie sieht das Gesundheitssystem in Irland aus?
Ist es möglich, die irische Staatsbürgerschaft zu erhalten?
Gibt es spezielle Programme für Investoren?
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