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Residency in Ireland?

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mcdon380
  12/2/2016 11:52 EST

How does an American go about getting residency in Ireland? My husband and I would like to buy a house there. It sounds like getting residency is very difficult.

dsdlprice8
  12/2/2016 12:12 EST

Yes - it is hard to get residency. We bought a house, but are only allowed to stay for a year and will have to apply to stay yearly. We just keep our fingers crossed. We are retired, but I understand getting a work permit is even more difficult.

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mcdon380
  12/2/2016 12:39 EST

Thank you for your quick response! We would like to retire, but don't qualify for the O stamp because we both won't be able to meet the 50,000 Euro per year requirement.

Meachair54
  12/2/2016 12:40 EST

Hello mcdon380 ,
The best way to find the correct information on the topic you mentioned is by going to Citizens information.ie online , good luck in your pursuit of whatever your in search of !

mcdon380
  12/2/2016 13:09 EST

Thank you!

hereineir
  12/2/2016 13:53 EST

Meachair54 & mcdon380 - When I was researching my move to Ireland over a year ago, the Citizens Info page gave me so much misinformation! I would not rely on it as much as I would the actual Irish immigration (INIS) website. There are some changes pending that may change things a bit, but not drastically. If you will not be applying for a work permit, the Stamp 0 is your only option if you do not have a grandparent or parent born in Ireland. I came to retire in Ireland and found out that the Irish government really does not want U.S. retirees. You may be permitted to stay for a year, two or maybe even three on a Stamp 0, which means you have to meet ALL of the criteria, and you must reapply every year, never being sure when they will pull the plug on you. I highly recommend that you DO NOT BUY a house. Many have had to leave quickly and take losses on their property, and there is no advantage as far as immigration goes whether or not you rent or buy. My suggestion is to rent, then you are free to move around and live in different parts of Ireland, and you have no financial investment to lose. Rentals are fairly abundant and inexpensive if you stay to the countryside as opposed to the larger population areas.

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Meachair54
  12/2/2016 15:46 EST

Hello Hereineir , I had found the same problem with the INIS site it seemed to give conflicting info , so it's tricky . They always seem to be changing sort of the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. That's certainly a problem for those who don't qualify for dual citizenship. I fortunately have both so like before good luck in your endeavors.

hereineir
  12/3/2016 12:27 EST

Meachair54... oh yes, rub it in!!! LOL!! How are you? Haven't talked for awhile. I'm living La Vie Jolie in Normandy, France for a bit now, but truly missing Eire. I'll be back soon, though! Any word on the outcome of the public consultation on our issue?

Meachair54
  12/3/2016 14:38 EST

Hello Hereineir , doing fine , haven't heard anything new, only the hearings they were having concerning the lowering of income qualifications for non Eu citizens looking to retire , but no outcome of those hearings have been found in print by me. Reading the posts it appears Dave 8408e has gotten permission to remain another year , that's my interpretation of the post I recently read. Your best best to find anything out would be asking KevinfromKinsale via NYC , he's always has a lot to say about the subject whether it's gospel or not ,I couldn't tell you. That's all I know and sticking to it. I visited County Kerry (Waterville) in Aug. for 4wks., Have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !!!!!

mcdon380
  12/5/2016 21:55 EST

Thanks, folks for the advice! It doesn't sound likely that this dream can become a reality for my family. My daughter has advised me to give it up. Good advice! Having said that, when presented with this kind of situation, I'm more determined than ever. I'll broaden my horizons to Great Britain, but my heart will still pursue Ireland (on the side).

Best of luck to all of you!

mmccrane
  12/5/2016 23:24 EST

Hi mcdon380,
Your desire looks to be similar to my wife and I. We have used this site and our own research around the idea of US Citizens wanting to live in Ireland. While I have great-great grandparents that immigrated from Ireland, that does not allow me to automatically become a Irish Citizen. Very sad and clearly the Irish Government does not want US Citizens to live or retire there. We too have thought about England instead and would appreciate what you find out about that. Have spent time in England yes it's very enchanting with tremendous history and natural beauty that rivals Ireland. My email is [email protected] if you would like to connect. Best, Mike

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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mcdon380
  12/6/2016 12:33 EST

Hi Mike:

Thanks! I will connect with you. Funny, on my dad's side, both sets of Great Great Grandparents were born in Ireland, too. The thing is, I'm about to come into nice little inheritance and the plan was to buy a house in Ireland. We actually found a GORGEOUS house in Kerry which is reasonably priced and still available. It was when we contacted the agent that we found out that we have to be residents in order to buy a house. I told her that we'll be able to pay cash for the house, and she is eager to help, but at this point, attempting residency will be time-consuming and not likely. I'll be sure to keep you posted on our progress and also pursuing life in Scotland or England.

Julie

dave8408e
  12/6/2016 14:59 EST

The estate agent said you have to be a resident to buy a house?
What a crock of s#it.
There's thousands of houses owned by non-Irish residents -- they're called 'holiday homes' and you see them by the score all around the island. I bought my house 2.5 years ago without residency; the State, as far as I know, couldn't care less so long as they get their transfer tax and you're not buying a huge swath of farmland.

DonieHoran
  12/6/2016 16:35 EST

Residency & House ownership - I am aware that some County Councils in Ireland do have a clause relating to certain planning applications for new/rebuild properties that stipulates that you have to be from the locality/the area in question & this applies to all,including Irish citizens.
I personally came across this specific planning stipulation a few years back, with a house rebuild (I had purchased it following a fire with the original property) in Co Kerry & even though I am originally from Co Kerry myself .the fact that I did not specifically reside in the area in question was initially problematic but following a Planning Appeal to the State Planning Section ,the local residency clause was subsequently withdrawn by Kerry County Council.
For some reason,unknown to me ,this 'local residency clause' only applies in certain conditions/to certain properties.In the circumstances , it is wise to check out with the local Co Council,if there are any Planning stipulation attached to any property that you are proposing to build or to buy.

dsdlprice8
  12/7/2016 12:35 EST

I can't imagine - we are not residents, and flew over here last November and looked at dozens of available houses through many different realtors and bought one with no problem. We had to apply for a PPS number so we could pay the transfer tax (we applied for this from the US). No one cared whether we were residents or not!

mmccrane
  12/7/2016 23:34 EST

Hi dsdlprice8:

US citizens that are not also Irish citizens would love to know more about your experience. Did you buy a "holiday home" as dave8408e states?
Are you a Irish citizen? If not, was there any limits of time spent in Ireland? Any questions/proof on your personal financial condition etc? Details and advise would of course be much appreciated by many on this forum.

FlowerFairy
  12/7/2016 23:56 EST

I agree with others. Masses of people buy holiday homes and who are not permanent residents. Yes, you need a PPS number but that is not difficult to get. Yes, Dave is correct as far as planning permission in certain areas. If you buy land and want to build: BUYER beware! Otherwise when we were in Ireland (Feb 2015 to June 2016) we saw no signs of people being restricted to purchasing established properties as second(holiday) homes. It was the dysfunctional real estate system that did our heads in! We returned to Australia 12 June 2016, signed a contract to purchase on 27 June and took possession 12 August! BR161207016825

dsdlprice8
  12/9/2016 15:19 EST

We are US residents. We came last November, bought a house which closed in February, which we moved into in May and have lived in it since. We had to pay "holiday home" house insurance for the time the home was vacant (this is the same as at home), but as soon as we moved in permanently we switched it to a regular policy. We have a one-year residency permit after presenting a catalog of information. If they throw us out next year - well, that's life. We are keeping a good thought and enjoying every day we are here.

dave8408e
  12/9/2016 18:10 EST

Hey, welcome to the neighbourhood. If INIS let you stay for a year under the current regulations, it's unlikely you'll have a problem with a renewal unless there's a massive change in your financial status. Since it has been suggested by INIS that they're going to relax the rules a bit, it's all the more likely. Relax, and enjoy the craic.

dsdlprice8
  12/10/2016 15:45 EST

Thanks for your words of encouragements. We really really want to stay here!

mcdon380
  12/10/2016 16:15 EST

Hello! Can I ask how you received your residency? How were you able to do it?

Thanks!

Julie

dave8408e
  12/10/2016 18:09 EST

Are you retired, or intend to work in Ireland?

dsdlprice8
  12/11/2016 05:26 EST

We're retired.

dsdlprice8
  12/11/2016 05:48 EST

We're retired.

dsdlprice8
  12/11/2016 05:48 EST

We're retired.

dsdlprice8
  12/11/2016 05:48 EST

We're retired.

dsdlprice8
  12/11/2016 06:05 EST

I found the list of paperwork required on line - things like proof of medical insurance (get Irish, not expat), show you have a ticket home, proof of income/savings. prior residence, current residence, etc. When you come into the country they will ask you how long you plan to stay. If you say more than 3 months, they will stamp your passport with a date that tells you how long you have to apply to at the Garda. By that date, take your info to the Garde (police station) to be approved. This isn't all Garde stations, but your local station will tell you the nearest one. It costs 300E per year per person if you approved, then they issue you a residency card good for one year.. Entire process repeated (and paid) each year. Technically after the 5th year you can apply for permanent residency.

dave8408e
  12/11/2016 12:49 EST

To dsdlprice: The info you have is only semi-accurate. Some observations: When you get off the plane, ask the immigration officer at the airport for a 90 day tourist visa and state the reason for your visit -- you're buying property in the State, and you'll need time to sort out the details. Yeah, have a return ticket 90 days out, that will ease his worries. DON'T ask him where your local immigration officer is, or other details, they're often out of the loop. Know where you need to go in advance, and don't be hugely surprised if it's still the wrong location. Along with the docs you mentioned, INIS will want a document from a law enforcement agency in the US saying you're not a criminal. (BTW, bring doc from your present insurance company and or DMV showing driving history , makes car insurance easier/cheaper) Your health exam as of now must be from an Irish doctor and a simple note will suffice. Your finances must be certified by an Irish accountant and converted into Euro. The 'local' Garda station in all likelihood will not be the one you deal with; only selected stations handle immigration matters, and in any case, all the paperwork must be submitted by you in writing to INIS Unit 2, Dublin. There is NO official application form. INIS are the ones to approve your residency and if so approved, you have to send your passport to them via mail to get the great and almighty Stamp O placed within it. You'll then get a letter that you take to your designated immigration officer at said Garda station, who will give you the paperwork you need to pay your €300 for your GNIB 'green' card...but you don't pay them; you have to go and 'lodge' the money at the post office, who do the transaction for you. Then you wait yet again for the Gardai to acknowledge receipt of your cash, so you can again return to the Garda station and get the Immigration officer to make up the green card. Now, mind you, the designated immigration officer is a regular old police officer who does immigration work whenever it fits their schedule. It might be once a week; it might be twice a month, and if they get called into court on that particular day, you might show up only to be told they're out and to call back for an appointment. You might find yourself heading to see your IA at 9 or 10 at night. Since they're A) your only human link in the immigration chain, and B) cops, you smile, say "well, of course', and drive XX number of kilometres back home. It's all good craic in the end; you might find yourself at the conclusion of this with a good friend in law enforcement, as we did. (Olga in Claremorris, you ROCK, girl.)

dave8408e
  12/11/2016 12:51 EST

Sorry, the above should have gone to the other poster, not dslprice... but I assume they'll read it anyway.

OldPro
  12/11/2016 12:56 EST

Some thoughts from a long time retiree who has lived in half a dozen countries and spent time in half a dozen others.

1. A holiday home is not a permanent home. There is no point in talking about one when the person is interested in the other. Those comments are a waste of space.

2. Buying a home before you have lived in a country for at least 1 and preferably 2 years, is never a good idea. It is always easier to buy than it is to sell a the price you want, when you want to sell.

Many people move to what they expect to be their retirement 'paradise'. Not all stay. This simple fact exists because there is NO way to know beforehand whether you will STICK or not until you have been there at least a couple of years. You have to get past the 'rose coloured glasses' phase before you can determine that. For that reason, I always advise people to rent to begin with.

In situations such as the system in Ireland where you are only ever granted TEMPORARY residency, it removes the concern about 'what if they don't renew my residency'.

3. Some countries welcome retirees and see them as a net gain. Other countries see them as a net loss. Those that see them as a loss, generally have much higher financial hurdles to be overcome. It's simple mathematics.

Some countries have some form of 'retiree visa' and system that's pretty straightforward. Portugal for example is pretty easy with no major financial restrictions. Ireland obviously is not so easy. You mention the UK as an alternative, it's not easy either.

Swimming against the current is rarely a good idea. Especially when all it can get you is a temporary residency (no guarantees) and you have no way of knowing if you will 'stick'. You have to really want it badly enough to go through the hassle.

So if you have any alternatives that also appeal and are easier, that's the path I would try first. There are over 200 countries in the world and many of them are a lot easier to get into than Ireland.

I should say that I have nothing against Ireland. I haven't lived there but did live in Scotland for some years which is at least similar in many ways. But I had no trouble living there as I have dual nationality. If I had to go through what people posting here have to deal with, I would not have chosen to live there at all. Just not worth the headaches.

This thread has 2 topics. Buying a house and getting residency in Ireland. Combining topics in a thread ALWAYS adds confusion. It is much better to stick to one subject at at time. In this case I would say the title was the right topic to begin with.

"Residency in Ireland?" I would just have added, 'worthwhile trying to get or not?' Coming to a decision on the answer to that question FIRST would determine whether to go on to the second topic or not. There is no point in talking about buying a house if you can't get a satisfactory answer to residency. Satisfactory in terms of an answer you are happy to live with. I would never want to live with a 'temporary' answer personally. Either a country gives me guaranteed ongoing residency or I'm not interested. To each his own on that question but first you get past the question before going on to another question.

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