Ireland has emerged as a haven for digital nomads in recent years with a burgeoning number of remote workers already living and working there. As industry has shifted more and more toward added levels of remote work, more people are deciding to go out themselves and work as a digital nomad, which essentially means you can travel with your job and log in from anywhere with a good internet connection. As well as being a beautiful country with rolling green hills, vibrant cities, quaint villages, and warm and welcoming locals, there are a lot of resources in place in Ireland that cater well for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Benefits of moving to Ireland as a digital nomad
First and foremost, Ireland is a beautiful country with a lot of breath-taking scenery. That means that it is a wonderfully relaxing and inspirational place for you to work as a digital nomad. The island boasts picture-perfect landscapes, and nature-lovers are spoiled for choice 鈥� whether you are enjoying some wild swimming, surfing on the Wild Atlantic Way, strolling along dramatic coastal cliffs or hiking in the lush green valleys.
Ireland is known as the 鈥�Silicon Valley of Europe鈥� because of its large presence of global technology companies based there. And these companies are most like to employ remote workers. Therefore, you may be interviewed for a position in person but spend the majority of your time thereafter working remotely. Ireland also ranks second in Europe for remote working opportunities, according to data from LinkedIn. Remote job postings are highest in areas such as media and communications, insurance, and software development, with skills such as AI, cybersecurity, and remote collaboration in high demand.
One of the best things about living in Ireland is its location, strategically positioned on the edge of Europe. Ireland is the perfect base for exploring Europe and you will have a long list of quick getaways in Europe to fly to for your weekends.
Another advantage of working as a digital nomad in Ireland is the time-zone. European working hours overlap with Ireland's time-zone (give or take an hour), and there is also overlap with business hours in the US in the late afternoon.
Ireland is known for its excellent digital infrastructure, with internet speeds among the best in Europe. Broadband speeds average 100 Mbps, with some urban areas offering fibre optic connections exceeding 1 Gbps, perfect for remote workers and digital nomads. There is broadband access in most areas in the country, with the exception of some very remote or rural areas, so it's best to do your research before moving to that little cottage in the countryside.
There are more than 240 digital hubs all around the country, many with boasting showers, gyms, and even bike storage, particularly in urban areas. There are also great resources to help those who are self-employed, as well as an abundance of workspaces that are affordable, which allow you to get your work done.
Things to consider before moving to Ireland as a digital nomad
The cost of living in Ireland is very high, especially when compared to other digital nomad destinations in Europe or Southeast Asia. Rent, in particular, is notoriously expensive, with Dublin often ranking among the most expensive cities in Europe, with monthly costs for a single person estimated to be over 鈧�3,300.
The housing and rental market can be a significant challenge for many digital nomads. Finding accommodation in Ireland isn't easy, particularly in the larger cities like Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway, and you can expect a lot of competition for advertised rentals.
Work remotely from Ireland: Conditions to be met
If you are planning to up sticks and book your ticket to Ireland, you need to be fully aware of the work permit rules, as well as obligations for paying聽tax. While Ireland doesn't currently offer a Digital Nomad Visa, Non-EAA citizens can apply for a short-stay visa to stay in Ireland for up to 90 days.
Remote workers typically come to Ireland under one of the following conditions:
- Short Stay C Tourist Visa 鈥� This visa allows you to live temporarily in Ireland for up to 90 days. A single-entry tourist visa will cost 鈧�60, while a multiple-entry visa is 鈧�100. You can apply for renewal and extend the visa for another 90 days under special circumstances. Bear in mind that a standard application takes between 6-10 weeks.
- Stamp 0 or 1 Visa 鈥� This visa is for retirees, self-sufficient individuals, or employment-based permits
- EEA/UK/Swiss Citizens 鈥� Due to the EU's freedom of movement rules, and the Common Travel Area agreement between Ireland and the UK, EU, Swiss, and British citizens can live and work in Ireland without a visa.
*EEA = member countries of the EU plus Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway. Also Ukranian citizens do not require a visa to come to Ireland.
If you are not one of those people with a visa exemption, then you will need to apply for a visa before arriving in the country. You can do this at your country's respective consulate or embassy.
You can also come to Ireland if you find a job that offers remote working options. With Ireland being one of the biggest tech hubs in Europe, there won't be a shortage of job opportunities that you can apply for.
If you don't hold a European passport, you generally need a valid work permit to work in Ireland. Some common work permits include:
- Critical Skills Employment Permit: This permit is for highly skilled workers and is generally easier to obtain. To be eligible, you job must be on the Critical Skills Occupations List, and you need to meet certain salary and qualification requirements.
- General Employment Permit: This permit is for occupations not covered by the Critical Skills list. It requires a job offer from an Irish employer and may have specific requirements related to qualifications and salary.
- Intra-Company Transfer Permit: This permit is for employees transferred to an Irish branch of a multinational company.
You can find more information about the different visas on the website of the
In order to access if you qualify as a tax resident in Ireland, it depends on the amount of days you spend in the country. You will qualify as a tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in the country during the tax year, or calendar year. You also qualify as a tax resident if you spend at least 280 days in the country combined over the current and the previous tax year.
Social contributions for self-employed people are 4% and there is also a universal social charge (USC) which is calculated according to your income. If you earn less than 鈧�12,000 a year, you don't pay USC.
Ireland applies a two-tier tax rate. You pay 20% on the first 鈧�40,000 in income and 40% on everything above that.
Digital nomads on tourist visas and short-stay visas are not subject to local taxes.
Best cities for digital nomads in Ireland
Whether you prefer the bustling city life or rural charm, Ireland is an ideal place for digital nomads looking to strike a balance between work and leisure. Most cities and towns in Ireland are well suited to digital nomads, with excellent broadband and mobile connectivity for remote working, as well as state-of-the-art co-working spaces. Some of the best cities to live in are Dublin, Cork, Kerry, and Galway.
Dublin
Dublin is the capital city of Ireland and is also home to the European headquarters of tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Amazon, PayPal, Meta, and LinkedIn. With a vibrant tech and start-up scene, there are multiple co-working spaces dotted throughout the city, providing digital nomads with an opportunity to network with like-minded people while enjoying the city's vibrant nightlife. Dublin is both an economic and cultural hub, with plenty of beaches to explore and the Dublin mountains to get lost in. Keep in mind that living in the capital requires a higher budget than other parts of Ireland, and rent in the city centre has gone through the roof recently; expect to pay in excess of 鈧�2,000 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Cork
Cork is another thriving tech hub in Ireland, offering fantastic opportunities for digital nomads. Living there is slightly less expensive than in Dublin, but costs are still high compared to other European cities. Cork is the perfect mix of stunning landscapes, historic sites, and bustling city life. It is also the gastronomic capital of Ireland, with an abundance of restaurants and cafes that offer delicious food and delicacies.
Kerry
Kerry has topped the list of best counties for remote working with its fast broadband speed, averaging 83.35 Mbps, according to a recent survey. With rent prices averaging just over 鈧�1,000 a month, significantly lower than Dublin's average of 鈧�2,100 a month, the Kingdom offers an attractive living option for digital nomads.
Galway
In the west of Ireland, the coastal city of Galway is perfect for those seeking a more relaxed way of life. If you prefer the smaller city vibe, then Galway is for you. Known as the 鈥渃ultural capital of Ireland鈥�, Galway is the arts and music epicentre of the Emerald Isle. Its cobbled streets are lined with musicians and buskers, contemporary art galleries, cosy cafes and traditional pubs. Although it's a small city, it offers a great balance between cost of living and quality of life, with slightly more affordable housing than Dublin. Its young and multicultural population makes it an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a more relaxed and cultured lifestyle.
Popular digital nomad professions in Ireland
You will find a whole host of different sectors in which digital nomads in Ireland work. Some of the world's most popular roles are remote-based in Ireland. This includes content writers, graphic designers and software developers. With Ireland being the tech capital of Europe, there is no shortage of job opportunities to explore in multinational corporations, start-ups or local businesses.
Coworking spaces in Ireland
and coworking spaces are becoming more popular in cities around Ireland. This includes global coworking spaces聽like , as well as other independently run operations. You will find these spaces in聽聽in the country. They are a great way for digital nomads to get together and to interact with like-minded people. It is an ideal way to network or even to just socialise during your workday. As you don't have any physical co-workers beside you, this can be a great way to break up the potential monotony of a day on your own. Working from a digital hub can not only increase your productivity, but it can broaden your network, and even lift your spirits.
The work culture in Ireland
Irish people are generally easy-going, but they will want to focus when it comes to getting down to their work. They will regularly take coffee breaks, which is a great time for you to chat with them about all sorts of different topics. Taking coffee breaks at coworking spaces is always a great way to naturally network with fellow digital nomads.
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