Moving to Ireland can be an exciting time, giving you the opportunity of new experiences among beautiful scenery.
According to the 2016 census, there were 103,113 UK nationals living in Ireland. This is one of the largest British expat populations in the world.
Before you embark on The Emerald Isle, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure a smooth transition. Among the things you need to arrange when moving to Ireland is a reliable removal company.
Whether you’re headed to Dublin, Limerick or Cork, Compare My Move can find you the best price for international removal companies in your area. You could save up to 70% on your international removal costs by using one of our verified partners.
Before you begin packing for your move to Ireland, you will need to research the shipping options available. When shipping furniture overseas, you will need to use one of the following:
The option you choose should depend on the size and volume of goods you have to move. The more you have, the more expensive it will be. You can opt for more than one of the services listed, depending on your needs and circumstances.
A professional international removal company will always discuss all freight options with you.
Shipping your items to Ireland by sea is the most affordable option, although it will likely take longer.
A 2-3 bedroom home will likely need a 20ft shipping container, depending on the number of items. On average the cost of container shipping for this size from the UK to Ireland is £836.
Keep in mind that prices will vary depending on the volume and weight of the items, the season and the distance travelled.
Additionally, you will need to consider costs such as customs and inspection fees. Quarantine, holding fees and delivery charges may also apply.
Be aware that due to Brexit there may be delays in shipping and processing your items. Changing COVID-19 regulations may also impact shipments.
One of the most popular modes of transport when it comes to shipping goods to Ireland is road freight. Thanks to Ireland's close proximity to the UK, road freight is an affordable and fast option for those who are working with a strict budget.
On average, it takes between 1 and 2 days for a full load to arrive by road freight and between 3-4 days for groupage road freight to arrive. A full load is so fast to arrive that choosing express shipping via road freight takes the same amount of time.
Bear in mind that road freight can be subject to delays if there are any traffic or poor weather conditions that can impact the arrival date.
Part-Load is when you pay to use a portion of a container, rather than for an entire shipping container. As a result, this can be a more cost-effective way of shipping if you are sending a limited number of items.
You will be allocated a section of a container to fill, with the rest of the container made up of other people’s items. Your chosen removal company can provide you with details of how much space you will have. They will also advise you of the logistics and packing.
Shipping items from the UK to Ireland can take 1-3 days but be aware that part-load shipping is likely to take longer.
If you’re looking to get your items to Ireland quicker, you may want to consider sending them via air. Be aware that this option is more expensive than sea freight.
To keep the cost of moving down, you could consider sending essential items via air and the rest of your belongings via sea.
The cost of air freight will depend on the volume and weight of the items you are sending. Keep in mind that there will also be insurance fees to consider. However, due to the short distance from the UK to Ireland, shipping and air freight times will not differ greatly.
Items sent via air freight must be professionally packed. This is a non-negotiable security regulation. Your removal company will be able to discuss costs and arrange packing and storing your items in robust cartons for transit.
The cost of furniture removals will vary depending on the volume of items and what size container you require.
Below we’ve included the average costs for shipping furniture and large goods to Ireland, allowing you to budget and plan ahead.
Shipping Size | Cost |
---|---|
20 ft Container | £836 |
40 ft Container | £1,588 |
Be aware that the costs listed above are averages and the final price you’re quoted will vary depending on how much you are moving.
According to advice on the government website, UK nationals do not need a visa or residency permit to live, work or study in Ireland. However, if you are moving permanently, you must tell the government office that deals with benefits, pension and taxes.
Below are the documentation required when moving to Ireland:
Currently, you do not need to show any proof of vaccination, recovery, COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form or negative test when entering Ireland from the UK. There are also no post-arrival testing or quarantine requirements. Be aware that COVID-19 travel regulations are subject to change rapidly.
As mentioned above, UK nationals do not need a visa to live and work in Ireland. Within the Common Travel Area (CTA), British and Irish citizens can live and work freely in each other’s countries and travel freely between them. Moving from England to Northern Ireland is very straightforward, for example.
We also offer international removals to many destinations worldwide. Here are some other popular locations: