What documents do I need to move to Ireland as a United Kingdom citizen?

Typical pathway: Critical Skills

Last verified: September 22, 2026

Valid UK passport (British citizen) (before) — Source: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-foreign-affairs/publications/brexit-frequently-raised-topics/
Your British passport is the core document for this route: it evidences Common Travel Area rights, so no Irish visa or residence permission is needed, and Irish employers will accept it as your right-to-work proof. Carriers (air/sea) normally require photo ID showing nationality even though there are no CTA passport controls.
Critical Skills Employment Permit application (NOT required for UK citizens) (before) — Source: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/critical-skills-employment-permit/
Do not file a CSEP: under the Common Travel Area, British citizens may work in Ireland, including self-employment, without any employment permit, and the employment permit regime applies only to non-EEA/non-UK nationals. If your employer's HR insists on a permit reference, refer them to the DETE permit-exemption guidance. Only relevant if you also hold a non-UK, non-EEA nationality and are relying on it.
Signed Irish contract of employment / written job offer (before) — Source: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government-in-ireland/ireland-and-the-uk/common-travel-area-between-ireland-and-the-uk/
A contract from the Irish employer stating job title, start date, gross annual salary and employer name/Revenue-registered details. No salary threshold or occupation-list condition applies to you as a British citizen, but the contract is used downstream as evidence of your reason for needing a PPS number and for tenancy and bank applications.
Original UK photocard driving licence (plus NI paper counterpart if issued in Northern Ireland) (before) — Source: https://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/exchange-my-foreign-driving-licence.html
Bring the physical original, not a copy: the NDLS will only process an exchange if the original licence is surrendered, and a DVLA 'letter of entitlement' instead of the card slows processing. Keep it valid and unexpired until the exchange is completed.
Degree/qualification certificates and UK professional registration evidence (before) — Source: https://gov.uk/government/publications/common-travel-area-guidance/common-travel-area-guidance
Original or certified copies of degree parchments, transcripts and current UK professional body registration (e.g. GMC, NMC, engineering, teaching). UK and Irish governments operate mutual recognition commitments for professional qualifications, but regulated professions must still register with the relevant Irish regulator before practising — verify the exact evidence with your specific Irish regulator as it varies by profession.
HMRC form P85 (leaving the UK – tax position) (before) — Source: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), gov.uk
Submitted to HMRC when you stop having UK employment income, to set your UK tax residence position and claim any refund for the year of departure. Not an Irish immigration requirement, but essential to avoid double taxation confusion in your first Irish tax year.
Irish visa or preclearance application pack for non-EEA family members (before) — Source: Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), Department of Justice, Ireland
Your CTA rights do not extend to relatives: a non-EEA spouse, partner or child cannot rely on your British citizenship and must apply for the appropriate Irish visa/preclearance (including marriage or civil partnership certificate, birth certificates, and proof of your Irish employment and finances) before travelling. Confirm the exact pack with Immigration Service Delivery, as requirements differ by family relationship.
Basic MyGovID account (during) — Source: https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/identity-services/personal-public-service-pps-number/
The digital identity account you must create (email plus verified mobile number and an identity document) before you can use MyWelfare to apply for a PPS number. A 'basic' account is the minimum; a 'verified' account is needed later for services such as online driving licence exchange.
PPS Number application on MyWelfare with passport as proof of identity (during) — Source: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/get-a-personal-public-service-pps-number/
Apply through MyWelfare, uploading a scan of your UK passport as the identity document; you must attend an in-person appointment to complete the application and receive the number. A PPS number is the gateway to payroll, healthcare and licence exchange — no IRP card exists for you because you hold no Irish immigration permission.
Proof of Irish address dated within the last 3 months (for PPS number) (during) — Source: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social-welfare/irish-social-welfare-system/personal-public-service-number/
A document showing your name and Irish address, no more than three months old — e.g. a utility bill, official letter, or, if staying with friends/relatives, the bill holder's original household bill plus a signed note confirming you live there. Short-term hotel/short-let bookings are generally not accepted; this is a distinct item from the tenancy agreement itself.
Evidence of why you need a PPS number (employment start letter) (during) — Source: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/get-a-personal-public-service-pps-number/
Separate from the contract's role as a legal document, the Department of Social Protection requires proof of the transaction triggering the application — typically a letter from the Irish employer confirming your name, role and start date, or the signed contract itself.
Residential tenancy agreement (registered with the RTB) (during) — Source: Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), Ireland
The signed lease in your own name, which the landlord must register with the Residential Tenancies Board. Retain it as a legal record of tenancy rights and as the underlying document that generates later address proofs (bills, bank statements).
Revenue myAccount registration and 'Add a Job' declaration (during) — Source: Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Ireland
Register with Irish Revenue online using your PPS number and register your new employment so Revenue issues a Revenue Payroll Notification to your employer; without this you are taxed at emergency rates. Also the route to claiming tax credits in your first year of Irish residence.
Irish bank account opening pack (photo ID plus Irish address verification) (during) — Source: Central Bank of Ireland
Irish banks apply anti-money-laundering rules: expect to provide your UK passport as photo ID plus a separate recent document verifying your Irish residential address, and often your PPS number and employment confirmation. Accepted address documents differ between banks — verify with the individual institution.
Public Services Card (SAFE 2 registration) (after) — Source: Department of Social Protection, Ireland
Issued by the Department of Social Protection after a face-to-face SAFE identity registration. It is not compulsory for all purposes, but it is required for a verified MyGovID and for the online driving licence exchange and many welfare services.
Irish driving licence exchange application (form D401) (after) — Source: https://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/exchange-my-foreign-driving-licence.html
Because Ireland and the UK maintain a bilateral exchange agreement, you can swap a full UK licence for an Irish one without any test. Submit the completed D401, surrender the original UK licence, and present photo ID, evidence of your PPS number, proof of address and, where relevant to your age or licence category, an NDLS medical report dated within one month.
Medical card or GP visit card application with proof of ordinary residence (after) — Source: Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland
British citizens who are ordinarily resident in Ireland can access the full range of public health services, but the HSE assesses entitlement: supply evidence of residence and, for a means-tested medical card, income documents. Keep payslips, lease and utility bills as the residence evidence pack.
Transfer of Residence relief claim for importing a vehicle (VRT exemption) (after) — Source: Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Ireland
If you ship your UK car to Ireland, a Transfer of Residence claim to Revenue can exempt it from Vehicle Registration Tax, supported by proof of prior UK residence, vehicle ownership and use for the required period, plus proof of your new Irish residence. Strict timing and ownership conditions apply — confirm current rules with Revenue before shipping.
Electoral register application as a British citizen resident in Ireland (after) — Source: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (checktheregister.ie), Ireland
British citizens resident in Ireland may register to vote in Dáil (general) and local elections, using the relevant registration form/online application for your local authority; entitlement does not extend to presidential elections or referendums. Confirm the current form reference with your local authority.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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