Practicalies of living in Ireland

[SpotlessMind]

Hello

I need some advice.

I am thinking of moving to Ireland with my children and elderly parents. Children and I are UK citizens and parents are non-EEA.
My dad recently became disabled and mum is struggling to cope on her own. I already spend the best part of the year living with my parents in their home country but the kids hate it over there and its difficult for me to work outside EU (I'm IT freelancer so just need broadband to work but my clients prefer me to be based in EU, tax is also a nightmare outside EU). Because of the immigration changes in UK my parents no longer fall under adult dependant relative because there are care homes in their home country and it means we won't satisfy the new criteria.

It seems they only way for us to be together is to move to another EU state. Ireland seems to be closest and easiest option, logistically and language-wise.

Before committing to a move I'd like to find out a few things:

Immigration control - my parents will be entering Ireland with me using their UK typeC visitor visa under visa waiver program http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Vi ... 0Programme
What is the best thing to say if we are asked at the immigration control as to the purpose of our visit: visiting or coming to stay under EU freedom of movement?

Residency permit - how soon could my parents apply for it? how long does it normally take?

Healthcare - Children and I already have EHIC card. What about my parents? They would just have standard travel insurance, which will run out after a while. Would they be eligible for healthcare or could i get private health insurance for them?

Weather - i heard it colder and wetter than UK, is it true?

Cost of living - similar to UK? How much would it cost to feed 3 adults and 2 children per months? We are used to living modestly, cook everything ourselves, no fancy menus.

Renting - is renting process similar to UK? Do landlords allow tenants to work from home? Some UK lease agreements specifically prohibit using accommodation as registered business address because of the insurance.

Areas to live in - what are the good areas in Ireland to raise kids in? Nice parks, good schools, friendly community.

Anything else we should consider?

Thanks in advance.

[SpotlessMind]

anyone?

[Latintraveller]

Have sent you a private message

[Latintraveller]

I will try my best to answer. More help in the message.
Read, re-read and read the directive again and say that you are entering Ireland to exercise your EU treaty rights. You then have three months to find work. Family members (even dependent ones can work on entry).

Submit the EU1 form as soon as you have enough evidence of work (within 3 months). 4-6 weeks later your family members will receive their Stamp4 which is 6 months temporary residence. They will consider the application over the next 6 months and make a decision whether they will receive their 5 years residence one week before the expiry of the 6 month Stamp 4.

The EHIC card has limited help for people who are becoming resident in Ireland, but you may avail of Ireland's system which is fairly good. €50 to €60 to visit a GP, prescriptions are expensive but have monthly caps, €75 to €100 a night for hospital visits inc. treatment.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/mo ... eland.html

For private insurance check - VHI, Glo-health, aviva, laya.

It is a bit wetter and colder than UK. That keeps the grass nice and green.

Cost of living is rent (€400 for a three bed semi in an isolated area or unemployment blackspot like Letterkenny or Longford to €1500 in Dublin). Deposit is usually one month's rent. Bring references.
Car - Petrol is €1.55 a litre (similar to UK), car insurance - slightly more expensive, car tax - very expensive for large-engined cars. Car import tax for car that you have not owned for too long.
Public transport - Very expensive except for long distance intercity routes.
Supermarket - Tesco is 30 to 50% more expensive than UK. Many shop at Lidl or Aldi (only about 10% more than UK). Many supermarkets have very good deals. We spend about €70 to €80 per week (3 adults, 1 child), but get lots of mark-down products.
Electric - 20% more expensive than UK.
Eating out - Can get meals from €10. Pint is €4 outside Dublin.
Budget of coal/wood to burn as open fires are very popular.
Internet - vital for your job! €40 + per month. Try Sky, Vodafone, Eircom, UPC.
Mobile - 3 is good for urban areas. Unlimited internet (can be tethered), unlimited texts and some calls for €20 a month.
Bin collection - €25 a month.
Council tax - nil for tenants.
Water - nil until Jan 15. Then €240 a year.
TV lic - €160 a year.
Most schools charge €30 to €100 per year for books and material costs.

Child benefit - €130 per month, per child irrespective of income.

Renting - Ireland tends have have lots of rules, but they are rarely enforced. In the complex where we live we are not allowed pets although many have them. They will turn a blind eye to you running a small business from home. It would only be a problem if you opened a shop or hairdressing salon on the premises. I clean windows and do IT work from home and the estate agent knows I do that but they turn a blind eye. Things would be tighter in Dublin or Cork where it is a landlord's market. As you do not need to be in an area with a lot of jobs why not consider somewhere cheap like Longford or nice like Tramore (by the sea and has just had fibre optic installed) - €600 for 3 bed semi in Tramore. Schools are very good there too. Very friendly. Has a Tesco and Lidl In the South East (so better weather). 8 miles from Waterford (bus until 11pm).
http://ardscoilnamara.ie/ - secondary school.
http://glornamara.scoilnet.ie/blog/ - primary school where our son is attending.
http://www.daft.ie/ - property site for Ireland.

Regards,
Dominic

[SpotlessMind]

Thank you so much Dominic, its been really helpful.
Sorry, I am unable to access my PMs because my profile is too new.

[Latintraveller]

email me at email

Moderator Edit

[sali11]

Hello

I need some advice.

I am thinking of moving to Ireland with my children and elderly parents. Children and I are UK citizens and parents are non-EEA.
My dad recently became disabled and mum is struggling to cope on her own. I already spend the best part of the year living with my parents in their home country but the kids hate it over there and its difficult for me to work outside EU (I'm IT freelancer so just need broadband to work but my clients prefer me to be based in EU, tax is also a nightmare outside EU). Because of the immigration changes in UK my parents no longer fall under adult dependant relative because there are care homes in their home country and it means we won't satisfy the new criteria.

It seems they only way for us to be together is to move to another EU state. Ireland seems to be closest and easiest option, logistically and language-wise.

Before committing to a move I'd like to find out a few things:

Immigration control - my parents will be entering Ireland with me using their UK typeC visitor visa under visa waiver program http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Vi ... 0Programme
What is the best thing to say if we are asked at the immigration control as to the purpose of our visit: visiting or coming to stay under EU freedom of movement?

Residency permit - how soon could my parents apply for it? how long does it normally take?

Healthcare - Children and I already have EHIC card. What about my parents? They would just have standard travel insurance, which will run out after a while. Would they be eligible for healthcare or could i get private health insurance for them?

Weather - i heard it colder and wetter than UK, is it true?

Cost of living - similar to UK? How much would it cost to feed 3 adults and 2 children per months? We are used to living modestly, cook everything ourselves, no fancy menus.

Renting - is renting process similar to UK? Do landlords allow tenants to work from home? Some UK lease agreements specifically prohibit using accommodation as registered business address because of the insurance.

Areas to live in - what are the good areas in Ireland to raise kids in? Nice parks, good schools, friendly community.

Anything else we should consider?

Thanks in advance.

Hi,
Just wondering if you did go ahead with this plan and would like to share your experience as I am exactly in the same situation and planning to get my parents to UK through this route.
Thanks