Your first 90 days in Ireland: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · July 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The proof-of-address loop: the bank wants a utility bill, the PPSN wants an address, the landlord wants a bank account — arrivals commonly break it with an employer letter or a Revolut statement.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Immigration registration for the IRP (Irish Residence Permit) card at Burgh Quay or a regional office
Within 90 days of arrival
€300 fee per person; Dublin (Burgh Quay) appointments release in batches and go fast, while regional registration offices are often easier.
Get your PPS Number (Personal Public Service Number)
Needed for payroll and tax, public services, and increasingly requested in private paperwork.
Applied for after arrival via MyWelfare.ie with proof of address and a documented reason (such as a job offer); it is not issued before arrival.
Open a bank account
Banks require photo ID plus Irish proof of address — the classic catch-22 for week-one arrivals with no utility bill; Revolut (Irish-licensed) and N26 are the standard bridge accounts.
Enrol in healthcare
There is no enrolment step: public care through the HSE follows ordinary residence, but most new arrivals register privately with a GP and many carry private insurance (VHI/Laya/Irish Life) — Stamp 0 residents must.
Sort your driver's license
US licences cannot be exchanged (no bilateral agreement): after the 12-month driving grace, the full process applies — theory test, learner permit, 6 EDT lessons (reduced from 12) and the practical test.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Ireland: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Ireland?
Immigration registration for the IRP (Irish Residence Permit) card at Burgh Quay or a regional office — Within 90 days of arrival. €300 fee per person; Dublin (Burgh Quay) appointments release in batches and go fast, while regional registration offices are often easier. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the PPS Number and do I need one?
PPS Number (Personal Public Service Number) is Ireland's personal tax/ID number. Needed for payroll and tax, public services, and increasingly requested in private paperwork. Applied for after arrival via MyWelfare.ie with proof of address and a documented reason (such as a job offer); it is not issued before arrival.
Can I drive in Ireland on a US license?
US licences cannot be exchanged (no bilateral agreement): after the 12-month driving grace, the full process applies — theory test, learner permit, 6 EDT lessons (reduced from 12) and the practical test. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Ireland?
There is no enrolment step: public care through the HSE follows ordinary residence, but most new arrivals register privately with a GP and many carry private insurance (VHI/Laya/Irish Life) — Stamp 0 residents must. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Ireland's system treats foreign residents.