Relocating back to Ireland

Sullysark

Good Evening Folks,

Im hoping for some guidance and experience. I’m a Nordie by birthday, from County Down, as is my wife. We left home at 18, her for Uni in Edinburgh and me to Spain to do flight training. We settled into England after finishing up, calling a posh area of Cheshire home. Bought a house here and made it home, we’ve been here 4/5 years now. We like where we live, we’ve no family here bar the dog and we’re approaching the early 30s mark where someone wants to have kids. She works in the NHS at as a physio, I work for the harp airline from home.

I left Ireland, particularly Northern Ireland vowing never to return. However since Covid, I’ve began to miss home after many years. I’ve always missed the people, the atmosphere in a pub and going to a GAA/Ireland game among other things that are simply Irish. I want my kids to grow up Irish, I don’t dislike the English they’re fine. However I want my kids to understand what it is to be Irish. It would be Ireland for us, around Dublin. Within 30/45 mins of the city and airport. I’m familiar with Malahide/Portmarock area as I visited often growing up going to Croke Park/Landsdowne and the Aviva. Although I’ve been trying to look at areas that will get us more house for our money looking down towards Greystones/Bray. Far enough away from my fantastic in-laws but close enough to get up the M1 quickly.

Although I proudly show my Irish passport daily, I’ve 0 idea what life financially would be like in Ireland compared to the U.K. NI, being more closely aligned with GB. Does anyone know what say Gas/Electric is in comparison, taxes on wages, do I do my own taxes or is that done as it is with HMRC automatically with PAYE. I know council tax doesn’t exist, you arrange your own bin collection. Is there any other major differences from the U.K.? Bar the London house prices for anywhere that’s even remotely near Dublin. Healthcare has me confused, I was always under the impression the Irish system was essentially private, however I’ve leant the HSE basically works like the NHS.

ive probably a mountain of questions to work through I’m really looking for the major changes particularly financially I’d notice moving from GB.

Geuze

There is a local council tax, it's called the LPT, it is much lower than UK Council Tax. The LPT does not include bins.

There aren't any water charges, taxes pay for that.

Yes, income tax is typically done as PAYE at source.

The Irish health system is complex, yes, but it is mainly public, run by the HSE, with some fees. However, 40% approx of people choose to buy health insurance, to get them faster access to private care in public and private hosps.

Housing has gotten very dear, especially in cities, I'm sure you know that.

ax530

Tax - depending if you are employed in Ireland or in UK working from home.

Irish PAYE workers similar to UK tax deducted at source. PRSI equivalent to national insurance. Income tax also USC ( universal social charge) mygov.ie and other websites will have rates.

Only difference I can think of is Ireland has options for tax deduction ( medical fees, uniforms ect depending on job)

Child benefit is not means tested here same rate for everyone.

Household bills similar setup. As you mention no council tax there is a house hold tax annual fee.

Most services privatised like bins. Pick a bin collection provider can change to other.

Health there are medical cards for free GP all 70+ and under 6/7yo have one. For everyone else means tested. Some medical cards cover prescription costs also. Hospital/consultant care there is both public & private. serious issues such as cancer are treated under public system. Unfortunately for many other things public system waiting lists could be long so lot people have health insurance and use private consultant services. Worth thinking health insurance if getting work here as some employers contribute towards it.

Many housing developments have management fees for servicing common areas.

Good luck

spuddy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058215374/relocating-back-to-ireland

It's a big decision to move back, especially if you've lived away for so long, and don't have experience with life south of the border to boot. I returned to home after nearly a decade spent abroad living in a few different countries. Made the decision for many of the same reasons, but I actually came back on the basis that it would be a "trial", as quite honestly I didn't know whether I'd still like it! That was 7 years ago, so you can guess how the trial went.

First of all, life won't be massively different on a day to day basis. The UK and Ireland have many more things in common than are different. We even call some things the same thing. Eg, taxation-wise, it's PAYE here, just as in the UK. Until quite recently we even had the same name for certain documents (P45s, P60s etc). NI is Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) and on top of that, most people earning more than minimum wage have the pleasure of the Universal Social Charge (USC) which is an additional tax, a legacy from the bust from 2008-2012. As you might have guessed, you're probably going to pay more to the taxman here than HMRC as a result. There are plenty of tax calculators you can find which will give you a figure. Pension contributions are an excellent way to reduce your bill though.

Property wise, as has already been stated, we pay the Local Property Tax (LPT) on our Principle Private Residence (PPR). The rate is something like 0.1% of its value, so generally lower than UK council tax, but while it goes to the local council, bin collection has been privatised. Electricity, gas, internet, and general cost of living are probably going to be higher than the UK. This is a general statement, things vary depending on where you are in either country. Check out bonkers.ie or similar price comparison sites to get a sense.

About 1/3 of people have free healthcare, via a "Medical Card", which is means tested. For everyone else, it's a mixed bag. GP visits are free for kids under 7, and adults over 70. There are plans to expand this in the coming years so it covers everyone, but let's see how that pans out. If you take out health insurance, you can get claim some of these costs back, depending on the level of cover you have in place. If not, you cover the costs yourself. Many large employers will offer health insurance for you and your family as a perk. Follow on services are generally free for all, so if you're referred by your GP to see a specialist, you won't pay to see them. The downside is that you'll likely be waiting a long time for this, thus why many with health insurance jump the queue and pay to see a specialist themselves. You can always claim 20% of all medical costs back from the taxman every year, every little helps.

In terms of where to live, I'd recommend you stay close to your work if possible, if Malahide is out of reach, places further north like Rush or Skerries may be an option. Swords is close by too and there are plans to run a metro there one day.

Citizens Information (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/) site is a great resource, I'd recommend you have a good look at it. Good luck with your decision.

2ndcoming

Tax in your line of work is dependent on your residence status (ie counting days in the country) and for your particular employer you may be deemed a contractor or an employee. With the obvious absence of a union, colleagues or someone specialising in financial advice for people who work for that one with the harp is your best bet.

When you think about it really, comparisons in prices of things and bills don't matter if you've made your mind up. All these little things are fluid anyway and fluctuating all the time. The important thing is can you live comfortably and given your declared professions that shouldn't be an issue. If you've made your mind up then do it.

There's no point thinking to yourself in 2051 when you're being asked to go watch your grandson Alfie play cricket or some sh1t "I wish I had moved home that time. I was going to but the broadband was 30 quid a month extra and I would have paid an extra fiver a month tax".

beachhead

GP visits are expensive compared to the UK.Do not expect to get a similar paying job as the one you have and you can expect to pay more taxes or levies are they called here.Expect to pay more for a house of lesser standard than UK.If,you work here forget about a medical card that has been mentioned unless you are on the minimum wage with no other income.Greystones/Bray among the most expensive parts of the east coast.Wicklow Town might reduce the house price a little,Gorey less again.Prices in the region are increasing at not less than 17% annually..If,you're self employed you submit your own tax return by Oct 31st each year or Nov 17th online.You get some reliefs but nothing to shout about,even working from home.You must declare income outside of the PAYE system no matter where it's earned.Broadband and mobile plans are better value here.What does your employer think of you moving? If,you continue to be paid in Sterling that's a complication for you.Your wife should find it easy to get employment once her qualifications are verified-could be a lengthy process.Private medical insurance cover can be taken out by yourselves but there are qualifying periods for certain conditions/operations.But it does beat the queues in public hospitals.Numbers waiting is approaching 1 million overall.Routine dental cannot be claimed against tax.

Sullysark

Thank you for all the replies.

The health system seems slightly more straight forward than I had previously thought. Not being familiar with it, being the main issue. I think that's the hardest task I'm finding at the minute is doing the research to move to a country I call home and feel at home, yet haven't ever lived in. As Spuddy mentioned. As its all very similar to the UK, yet different. I had expected to pay more taxes in Ireland, with a more expensive cost of living. However in my head having higher wages I was suspecting it would be much of a muchness when the bills are paid. As a hunch I was hoping the other half would get some sort of medical insurance due to working medical field. Thanks very much for all the info on tax also, I'm in the upper band in the UK. So I tend to give half of what I earn to her Majesty. Part of me was concerned that would be even worse in Ireland.

Your point 2ndcoming, is exactly what I've been thinking for months in regards to my future. It definitely took Covid to put that into perspective after years of living in the fast lane aiming for the next pay rise forgetting what I've been missing at home now for years. And I think you're correct, my mind is made up, we're coming home.

I'm still trying to narrow in on a location and what we feel comfortable spending monthly on a mortgage we should have a large deposit from a property here. As this would possibly be the forever home in place of the the home for now. I've noticed there isn't a huge amount of new build properties within or on the outskirts of Dublin itself. We'd ideally like to stick to the coast, its one aspect i've missed terribly. Ive been looking online from Greystones/Bray right up to Skerries. Ideally it would be Malahide as it would give us a quick route into the centre, while having pubs/restaurants within walking reach particularly when family come down for the day. The plan is to head over for a few days next month and go scouting. My knowledge of Bray at present is it holds the annual airshow .Has Covid artificially inflated house prices in Ireland, as it has done in the UK? This growth that's been on for years now seems absolutely impossible for anyone who's a first time buyer to get their foot on the ladder. Particularly when youve 2/3 bed homes Circa 300k.

In terms of schooling, in Northern Ireland. Private isn't really an option, however i've become familiar with it being nearly the norm in areas in England. On a hunch, id assume schools around the areas we are considering would offer a good education?

Sullysark

Also, thanks for the heads up on Bonkers.ie. I've been trying to find the Irish version of compare the market for 48 hours!

Charles Babbage

There are online tax comparision sites, so you can plug in some values do a few sums. You will find that Irish tax and deductions are lower than the UK at the lower end, but as you are doing OK then they could be a little bit higher. However, in the Irish system married couples can pool their tax which can make a difference if there is a big difference in earnings or if one partner goes part time to facilitate family duties.

The real issue is higher house prices.

Just wondering OP, is there any reason in particular that you would like to live in Dublin instead of northern Ireland?

The cost of living is substantially different. My home town is close to the border and I have friends and family living in the North. Everything, including down to groceries, clothes shopping, beauty treatments, hairdressers is cheaper in the North.

I'm in the higher rate of tax here, and I definitely pay half my wages on taxes. Private medical insurance is a must, unless you want to wait maybe years for specialist treatment. GP visit will cost 60euro a visit, private health insurance will give you back a percentage.

Also, I wouldn't recommend Bray over anywhere in North Dublin.

A2LUE42

One thing that may seem obvious, is that while it is very similar, it is a different country and culture. We have had a few people who moved here from the UK for work and they moved back, as they couldn't adjust to the subtle differences. Something as simple as the much lower population density and public services availability. Moving closer to Dublin, this may not be as much of an issue.

whippet

Go a little further up the M1 to get more bang for buck with regards to housing .. blackrock outside Dundalk is lovely .. as is the area around Termonfeckin / Baltray

RunningFlyer

Biggest threat you may face is obtaining a mortgage quickly. If you are moving from abroad (UK included to my knowledge) most banks won't entertain you for 6months so you may find yourself renting (which is insanely competitive and expensive at the moment) . On top of that, if you are switching from UK perm contract to an Irish one (or for your wife in a new job here), they will insist on completing any probation period before issuing a mortgage.

Cost of living in the areas you are discussing will definitely be more expensive than where you are currently. If you are not switching to a Dublin base and plan to commute to work anyway I'd definitely look up North as not only will cost of living be cheaper, but there will be much less administrative hassle getting set up.

enda1

I presume he needs to be near enough to Dublin airport as he's a pilot.

OP, I'd recommend Skerries perhaps as a good compromise location. Nice town atmosphere and not too far from Dublin, plus on the road to the in-laws while not being too close either.

Sullysark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118089345#Comment_118089345

Its the Green White Orange issues, I grew up in a nationalist town surrounded by unionist villages. If there's one aspect I do like about England, its not being judged when it comes out I play GAA or support the ROI in football. I don't want to my kids to grow up on the egg shells I did due to their name sounding 'catholic'. And to be fair, I don't want to move back to it either. It's definitely moving in the right direction, however I fear its many decades to go yet before its normal.

Couple of grand a year for health insurance (which will likely only be 50% coverage and doesn't cover medication) and if you have any hobbies or interests expect them to cost more. Gig tickets are very dear, anything remotely interesting car-wise will break your heart etc. With a bit of luck you might think health insurance can be skipped but you'll end up paying more down the line so while it's barely worth having for most people it's barely worth cutting the expense right now either.

As mentioned above, think carefully about how you'll go about getting a mortgage here. Whatever slush fund you think you'll need, double it. Look at the nonsense rents (could easily be paying €2k a month for not much) until you can find a place. Again, all goes well, great, but few property transactions go as smoothly as one would think they might in the 21st Century. Whatever "all-in" fees a solicitor says it'll be, double it. If you're told you'll get the keys in 6 weeks make sure you budget for at least 3 months continuing to rent wherever you are.

I'm hoping to make a move in the opposite direction. If I had a deposit it might be different but I don't see much of a future here for me. Hopefully it works out better for you if you do decide to make the jump back over!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118090168#Comment_118090168

That's fair enough. Maybe as someone mentioned above, somewhere around Louth might be a good idea. Close enough to commute to Dublin. Also close enough that you can do your shopping etc in northern Ireland. Also, cost of housing would be cheaper. I recently had to move and am now renting a tiny two bed house, which costs me over 20K a year in rent, and I did well to get it this cheap 🙄.

This all sounds like I'm trying to put you off! I'm not, honestly. North county Dublin also seems to be quite good value for money