Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Ireland Expat Forum

Moving from Canada to Ireland

New Topic Oldest First
Ridgeway
  4/11/2019 08:50 EST

We are both 70 and retired. have dual citizenship (Irish and Canadian) and are seriously contemplating moving back to Ireland.
We need a lot of information and wonder if there is one central place we can get this information from or do we just post individual questions here on the forum?
The main information we need concerns, (1) paying taxes on Canadian pensions; (2) transferring money to Ireland; (3) Car insurance for over 70's; (4) getting an Irish driving license; (5) purchasing health insurance when over 70.
If anyone here can help with any of these questions, plus any other information we will be very grateful
Thank you so much.

texbucki
  4/21/2019 22:46 EST

Joshuak: Thankyou. I did not know. Surely more digging required. I've got a couple of yrs still but I was hoping my private insurance (obtained while living in Ireland) would cover me while traveling the first yr. in Europe. Still not sure whether it will make more sense to maintain a residence or purchase into a global plan once I become more mobile following the 1 yr residency period. Would surely be interested on your take. Thanks again

Joshuak
  4/19/2019 17:38 EST

Texbucki: I case you did not know: If and when your domestic partner gets residency card and stamp 4 in her US passport, and you have a residence with postal address, you both will become eligible for a EU Health Insurance Card good for travel in any EU country. From what little I was told, you must have residence in Ireland to be able to use this card for emergency coverage while travelling. For example, if you gave up residence in Ireland and moved to France, you would have to get whatever they give you in France. As long as you have residence in Ireland you would retain coverage with this card. But it cannot be used in Ireland.

Joshuak
  4/19/2019 17:21 EST

Ridgeway: In case you go in spite of advice. In regards to auto insurance: I Insured a car last in 2015, and I got it through a direct representative of Zurich which home office is in Switzerland. They had /have an office in Dublin. Yes, in general car insurance is hard to get from most Irish insurance brokers. They will ask one crucial question: Do you have a full Irish license ? If you say no, they will tell you they cannot sell you insurance. But when I got mine in 2013, and stayed with the same company through 2015, the main thing they wanted was a statement from my present Insurance company that we have been accident free for 5 years. It turned out my renewal document here in the US at that time had a entry showing how many years I had been accident free. (more than 5 years) I retained my regular coverage for the 2 US cars we had while we were gone as we did return every 6 months or less to satisfy our Medicare Advantage plan. and the cars were in our garage in our Florida home so they still needed insurance coverage. The Zurich Rep knew all this and he quoted me a approximate rate of 400 Euro per year prior to me coming to Ireland to live. Then when I arrived and bought a used car, I had to notify him and he would adjust the rate based on value of what I bought. It ended up at 420 Euro per year and was full coverage. I am not sure if they rate depending on where in Ireland you live or not. Both my Wife and I were included even though she was really hesitant to drive, especially with standard shift using the left hand. I think she drove it maybe 2 or 3 times. I understand a US company also writes in Ireland - Liberty Mutual, home office in Boston. But I would guess the Swiss company would be cheaper.

DebAckley
  4/14/2019 16:48 EST

Just wondering..why?

texbucki
  4/14/2019 10:12 EST

I forgot to mention that when talking with the private insurers in Ireland, they mentioned there was a 5 yr wait period before any pre-exisiting conditions were covered. Hope that helps

texbucki
  4/13/2019 22:41 EST

Hah Funny. I was born in the Bronx. spent many years in the Hudson Valley as well. Beautiful country . Brother lives in the Adirondacks. In TX now but 25 yrs. in NY.

texbucki
  4/13/2019 22:36 EST

Hi Joshuak. Understand the domestic partner requirements. I also don't think we will qualify for a health card. I think I can apply for private insurance if I can prove I will be living for 1 yr (ie lease of flat) Sure don't believe we have the right answers just sharing the information we've been given to date. I actually applied to the 4 Insurance companies available through whatever websitte.ie and they told me I would be eligible for insurance with my partner for <400/month. In the states this would be 15 to 1800 /month so.....Looking for the safety net not necessarily the side by side comparison. I appreciate the warning though!

Joshuak
  4/13/2019 21:34 EST

I don't know where you are getting the idea you will qualify for Irish healthcare after a residence of one year ? You may not qualify at all. However, to get residency for your domestic partner, I believe you and your domestic partner only need to demonstrate and prove you have been living together for a particular period of time. If you both go to Ireland , you as a Irish citizen, and she as a tourist, get established in a residence with a postal address (Proof of same) then you both can go to a Garda (Police) Immigration inspector. If you can prove your "domestic union", then show her US passport, your Irish passport, and proof of residence, and there may be a test of your financial incomes, she should be able to get a one year Residence card and stamp 4 in her US Passport which allows her to be in Ireland for one year, This one year residency is renewable every year. If you retain this residency in Ireland, after 3 or 5 years your "domestic Partner" will be able to get Irish passport. (Not sure about 3 or 5 years as it was 3 years when my spouse got hers in 2014. Since then someone said it was changed to 5 years.) But depending on your income, and other factors, I would NOT depend on getting a Irish health card. If you are thinking the healthcare in Ireland is better than in US, you may be disappointed. If, and only IF you can get a health card, the problem with care in Ireland is availability. In some areas there are months long waiting lists for standard diagnostic tests. Many of the Irish that can afford it buy insurance. It is my understanding the Irish Government is going to completely change the present healthcare system, but as we all know, speed, is not a priority sometimes in Irish politics. Mind you, the Irish doctors are competent, but there just is not enough of them or facilities needed. Don't forget, any and all citizens of all other EU countries can move to Ireland and demand healthcare if they are low income and get a card. And immigrants the Irish Government took in on compassionate grounds also get healthcare. What you really need in regards to healthcare questions is for "Muddled" who works for the Irish Government to come on and give you some idea what you can expect. He is originally from the US and uses the Irish system. You can also look at Citizensinformation.ie.

Meachair54
  4/13/2019 20:53 EST

Hello Ridgeway
Can’t really give much info on taxes insurance but as for drivers licenses look up on the NDLS website Ireland and Canada have agreements with some of the provinces in Canada where you can exchange divers licenses . I know car insurance is expensive for senior citizens too! Ian a dual citizen also but I live in Kerry 165 days a year., end of April to September so I use my U.S. drivers license and my U.S. health ins and just pay property tax to Ire. The rest of taxes to U.S.. Good Luck on your decision!!

DebAckley
  4/13/2019 16:42 EST

Hi! I’m a dual too, my husband is not, but we had to bring our long form of our marriage certificate in order for him to stay more than 90 days. Then we had to report to the Garda Every 3 months. Check citizens information.ie. I’m not sure if you are not married if your partner can stay permanently. Best of luck ..IE is wonderful, but we did come back to NY...elderly parents and family. Cheers!

DebAckley
  4/13/2019 16:42 EST

Hi! I’m a dual too, my husband is not, but we had to bring our long form of our marriage certificate in order for him to stay more than 90 days. Then we had to report to the Garda Every 3 months. Check citizens information.ie. I’m not sure if you are not married if your partner can stay permanently. Best of luck ..IE is wonderful, but we did come back to NY...elderly parents and family. Cheers!

texbucki
  4/13/2019 12:46 EST

My domestic partner and I are also moving to Ireland within the next couple of years and the intent is very aligned to Joshuak. Establish ordinary residence by hunkering down for the first year and then launching into our extended European retirement/nomad life style. I'm a dual citizen(US Irish) but my better half is US only. As we understand it, we need to demonstrate residence for a yr. to qualify for ordinary residence and an Irish healthcare plan. Since we're from the states, any healthcare plan is cheaper but if there is a better way of establishing ourselves as a resident of the EU and more affordable/better quality healthcare, I sure would be interested in hearing it. We're in our late 50's so our needs may be different than our wonderful neighbors to the north. We wish you luck none the less. Slainte!

Joshuak
  4/13/2019 11:07 EST

I second dbarnwell. DO NOT permanently move back to Ireland. There are several reasons, foremost of which is the healthcare system. Ireland has a shortage of facilities and medical personnel. The systems are overloaded. At age 70 you are at an age when heath care may become your most important need, if not today, shortly in the future. Health Insurance is extremely expensive for someone 70+. Second, Ireland is not the country it was 10 , 20, or 30 years ago. I have lived there for about 1 1/2 years just as an "adventure" to use Ireland as a base for exploring Ireland and many other countries in Europe. I have Dual Citizenship and knew what I was getting into as I had visited many, many times. We had no intention of remaining for life in Ireland. Suggest you might do the same. Ireland is a great place to visit. My Grand parents brought their 7 children to the US in 1929 and not one ever went back to stay. Visits, yes, as we still have family in the Bantry bay area. My Mother was the last of the immigrants to pass at age 97. And as to this date, I know of none of the offspring of my mother's family to have moved to Ireland on a permanent basis. One Grandson lived there for a couple of years as his pharma company had him working first in Belgium and then Ireland. One of his children was born with direct Irish citizenship, but no one wanted to stay. They are all back in US now.

dbarnwell
  4/13/2019 09:33 EST

R:
Don't Do It.

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Get a quote in 2 minutes from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get Quote

Cigna Global HealthCigna Global Health

Get a quote in 2 minutes from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get Quote

Living in Ireland GuideLiving in Ireland Guide

The passion that expats in Ireland have for their adoptive land is often truly amazing. Many get absolutely absorbed in the culture, the people and everything else that Ireland has to offer.

Ireland Forum Ireland Forum
Join our Ireland forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Ireland.

Contribute to Ireland Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ireland.

Best Places to Live in Ireland Best Places to Live in Ireland

If you're considering a move to Ireland, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Ireland in 2023.

Healthcare in IrelandHealthcare in Ireland

Expats in Ireland face very specific timelines and rules when it comes to getting healthcare in Ireland. It's important to understand how this will impact your journey and your individual health before you decide to move to Ireland.

Cost of Living in IrelandCost of Living in Ireland

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Ireland.

Moving to IrelandMoving to Ireland Guide

Expats moving to Ireland have a wide variety of options in terms of great places to live. People moving to Ireland for work, to retire or for any other reason can realize the life they imagine if they do enough research before taking the plunge.

Real Estate in IrelandReal Estate in Ireland

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Ireland.

Pros Cons of Living in IrelandPros & Cons of Living in Ireland

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Ireland.

Retiring in IrelandRetiring in Ireland

Advice for people retiring in Ireland.

10 Tips for Living in Ireland10 Tips for Living in Ireland

If you've recently arrived in Ireland, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Ireland.

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Get a quote in 2 minutes from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get Quote

Cigna Global HealthCigna Global Health

Get a quote in 2 minutes from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get Quote

Contribute to Ireland Network Contribute
Help others in Ireland by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ireland.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal