Your handy guide to the cost of living in Ireland

The cost of living in Ireland

Ireland’s bustling cities, beautiful natural landscapes, and welcoming environment makes it a popular destination for international students. The shared language and common travel area between the UK and Ireland add even more value. International students must have a solid strategy and budget before coming to Ireland. Ireland is the 13th most expensive country in the world, especially for students. Let’s find out more about the cost of living in Ireland.

Why study in Ireland?

Ireland is quickly climbing the ranks of the best countries for international students thanks to its excellent educational standards, immigration opportunities, and high quality of life. Here are a few reasons to pursue education in Ireland.

Quality education

According to the OECD 2021 education report, Ireland has the world’s fourth-highest educational standard. In addition, there are eight Irish universities in the QS World University Rankings 2022, with Trinity College Dublin, the country’s top-ranked university, ranking 101st in the world.

International students don’t require a visa

Some nationalities, such as South Africans, can enter Ireland without a visa and do not need a student visa to study in Ireland. Non-EEA nationals, including those with visas, must obtain permission to enter the country by presenting themselves to an Immigration Officer at the port of entry. If you study in Ireland for more than three months, you must obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

Career opportunities

There are numerous job opportunities for international graduates, because many multinational corporations have their European headquarters in Ireland. Five of Forbes’ top ten companies have headquarters in Ireland- Apple, Google, Alphabet, Amazon, and Samsung.

Explore places

It is a small but beautiful country. You can take your time to explore the country. It makes it simple to discover places on a weekend or during a day trip. Discover the world-famous Guinness Storehouse in Dublin or the Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s west coast.

The average cost of living in Ireland

An international student’s annual living expenses are approximately EUR 12,000. Rent, electricity, food, books, laundry, medicine, travel, and social expenses are all included in the cost of living in Ireland for students. The cost of living does not include the tuition fee. 

Factor	Average cost (monthly)
Accommodation expenses (shared rooms)	EUR 400-850
Food	EUR 167
Transport and travel	EUR 135
Social life/miscellaneous	EUR 75
Books or study materials	EUR 70
Clothes/medical facilities	EUR 41
Utilities	EUR 28

Cost of travel

Student discounts are available on Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, DART, LUAS, and Bus Eireann services. After arriving in Ireland and completing your university registration, you should go to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). Monthly travel expenses in Ireland are approximately EUR 135 when using any of the following modes of transportation.

Transportation	Cost
Ferris	EUR 190
Car rental	EUR 49.3 per day
Train ticket	EUR 1.70 and EUR 7.00
Bus ticket	EUR 1.55 to EUR 3.80
Trams ticket	EUR 1.54 to EUR 3.20/
Taxi	EUR 0.40-0.50 per minute

Cost of accommodation

Housing is a significant expense for everyone, and the cost of a home can vary from city to city, depending on the lifestyle you prefer. Here are some examples of city-center apartments in major Irish cities, to help you build a picture.

Rental cost in Dublin	Average monthly cost
Large apartment	EUR2,201
Medium apartment	EUR1,777
Small apartment	EUR1,353

Rental cost in Cork	Average monthly cost
Large apartment	EUR1,439
Medium apartment	EUR1,185
Small apartment	EUR1,016

Rental cost in Galway	Average monthly cost
Large apartment	EUR1,270
Medium apartment	EUR1,016
Small apartment	EUR838

• Many undergraduate students prefer to live in homestays (around EUR 180 per month), also known as ‘digs’ in Ireland.
• The benefits of this arrangement include lower costs because the host family includes utilities, meals, and activities in the rent.
• Despite their limited number, long-term student hostels are an affordable option for international students in Ireland to manage living costs. Hostels are typically run by housing companies and provide similar amenities to residence halls, with prices ranging from EUR 5 to 112 per night.

Cost of food

The cost of food is an important consideration when studying abroad. The following are the general food expenses that a student incurs while studying in Ireland-

Grocery products	Average cost (monthly)
Fruits	EUR 0.30 – EUR 1
Soft drinks	EUR 0.80
Milk (1 liter)	EUR 1 – EUR 1.30
Butter (250 gms)	EUR 1 – EUR 2
A pack of six eggs	EUR 1.50
A loaf of bread	EUR 1.50
Half kg of pasta	EUR 1.80
Potatoes (1 kg)	EUR 2
Pack of white rice (1 kg)	EUR 2.50
Coffee (100 gms)	EUR 3
Chicken breast (300 gms)	EUR 3.50 – EUR 4

Health insurance

Non-EU citizens do not have access to public health care. Unless you have your health insurance, you will need to purchase private health insurance in Ireland.

A basic annual policy starts at EUR 394 per year. In Ireland, people pay the same premium for health insurance regardless of their age, gender, or current/future health status. Many refer to this as ‘community rating.’

You are now aware of the living expenses in Ireland for students. New rules introducing Lifetime Community Rating went into effect on May 1, 2015. The new law changes community rating to reflect the age at which a person purchases private health insurance.

University tuition fees

To begin their studies in Ireland, international students must obtain a student visa. It will approximately cost EUR 60 for a single entry and EUR 100 for multiple entries.  Ireland is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities. Before delving into their annual tuition fees, consider the cost of studying in Ireland for various degrees-

• Undergraduate- EUR 9,850-25,500 annually
• Postgraduate- EUR 9,500-24,500 annually
• Doctoral degree- EUR 10,000-35,000 annually

Top universities for international students are as follows

QS World University Rankings 2023- Top Global Universities	Institute	Average tuition fee for 1-year master’s courses
98	Trinity College Dublin	€17,350-36500
181	University College Dublin	€1500-€17,600
270	National University of Ireland	€18,240-€24,140
303	University College Cork	€15,130-€21,130
471	Dublin City University	€1500-€17,000
531-540	University of Limerick	€11,500-€16,700
801-1000	Maynooth University	€14,500-€17,000

Tips to save your money

Saving on food

Supermarkets offer the best value for most everyday items because they sell their ‘own brand’ food, which is usually less expensive than name brands. Street markets in Dublin, such as Moore Street and Camden Street, can provide good value for money in terms of fruits and vegetables if you shop carefully. Budget supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl have lower prices than other supermarkets. It can reduce the overall cost of living in Ireland.

Student discounts

Always bring your Student ID with you when you go to restaurants, supermarkets, movie theatres, gyms, and eateries. By displaying your student ID card, you can frequently request student discounts. International students can reduce their living expenses with student discounts.

Travel cards

Getting a Student Leap Card is a good idea. The Student Leap card provides discounted fares and other discounts to students enrolled in an Irish college or university. Cycling in city centers can be dangerous, especially during rush hour, so wear a bicycle helmet if you do decide to pedal.

Key takeaways

• Ireland’s excellent educational standards, immigration opportunities, and high quality of life rank it among the best countries for international students.
• The annual living expenses of an international student are approximately EUR 12,000. Rent, electricity, food, books, laundry, medicine, travel, and social expenses are all part of the student’s cost of living in Ireland.
• The cost of a basic annual health policy begins at EUR 394 per year.
• You can save money by saving on food, student discounts, and travel cards.

Did you find this blog helpful? Do share your views and perspectives in the comments below. Please contact us by clicking here for more information on the cost of living in Ireland. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

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FAQs

Q1. How can you save on entertainment while living in Ireland?

Answer- Participating in college clubs and societies is an extremely effective and inexpensive way to become involved in college social life. Choosing afternoon movies at the cinema, and going to a well-known theatre, gigs, concerts, and pubs are all good ways to socialize while staying within Ireland’s average living costs.

Q2. What are some best student cities in Ireland?

Answer- Dublin, Limerick, Cork, and Galway are among Ireland’s best student cities. From Dublin’s burgeoning metropolis to Galway’s natural beauty to Belfast’s ancient attractions, each of Ireland’s finest cities offers tourists a unique perspective on this wonderful isle.

Q3. What are a few scholarships to cover living expenses in Ireland? 

Answer- A few scholarships in Ireland include the Intel Scholarship,

the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, and Fulbright scholarships.