Settle Into Europe: free guides for life in Ireland
Plain-English guides to payments, money and settling in. Find clear answers and links to official services, all in one place.
Explore Ireland guides
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Free Irish guides by topic
Explore payments, money, settling in, calendar dates, recycling and health cards.
Payments
Payment schedules, benefits and support.
Money & tax
Tax, wages and the cost of everyday life.
Settling in
Documents, transport and getting settled.
Calendar
Bank holidays and dates for your diary.
Recycling
Recycling centres, accepted items and disposal charges.
Health cards
Medical cards, GP visits and prescription costs.
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NCT booking
Check the €60 test fee, appointment options, preparation, cancellation charges and the deadlines for a retest.
CalendarBank holidays 2026
Check all 10 public holidays in Ireland for 2026, plus weekend rules, part-time eligibility and holiday pay, with sources checked…
Settling inMotor tax
Check the rate basis, renew online, find your PIN and understand first-tax, arrears and off-road declarations.
Money & taxRevenue myAccount
Registration, verified MyGovID access, temporary passwords, PAYE returns and safe ways to check your tax online.
Settling inLeap card
Learn where to buy a Leap card, how to top up and tap correctly, and which Dublin fares and caps apply, with guidance checked as…
Settling inM50 toll
M50 car tolls range from €2.60 to €3.80 in 2026. Learn how to pay by 8pm the next day, check rental cars and avoid penalties, as…
Money & taxMinimum wage 2026
Ireland’s 2026 minimum wage is €14.15 for employees aged 20+. Check age rates, pay rules and the January 2027 increase, as of…
Money & taxLocal Property Tax
Check valuation bands, local adjustments, who pays and Revenue’s published LPT payment dates for 2027.
PaymentsChild Benefit
Check the monthly rate, payment timing, residence rules and how to apply for a baby or an older child.
Start with the payment dates calendar
Find payment schedules and check the official information for your payment.
Explore payment datesGuides for living in Ireland
Clear answers for everyday life, with official sources to check.
Back-to-school allowance
Check Ireland’s back-to-school allowance rates, income limits and child age rules as of November 2026, including the closed 2026…
RecyclingBallymount recycling centre
Official opening hours, charges, accepted items and access rules to check before you travel.
RecyclingBallymun recycling centre
Official opening hours, charges, accepted items and access rules to check before you travel.
CalendarBank holidays 2026
Check all 10 public holidays in Ireland for 2026, plus weekend rules, part-time eligibility and holiday pay, with sources checked…
CalendarBank holidays 2027
See all ten public holiday dates, Christmas weekend rules and what to check before booking time off.
Money & taxBudget 2027
Confirmed tax announcements, the new minimum wage, employer PRSI and checks before changing your household budget.
PaymentsCarer’s Allowance
Check Carer’s Allowance rates, means rules, work limits and application documents in Ireland, with practical steps and official…
PaymentsChild Benefit
Check the monthly rate, payment timing, residence rules and how to apply for a baby or an older child.
PaymentsChristmas Bonus
Christmas Bonus 2026 is confirmed from 7 December. Check the amount, eligibility questions and payment checks, with official…
RecyclingCoolmine recycling centre
Official opening hours, charges, accepted items and access rules to check before you travel.
PaymentsDisability Allowance dates
Wednesday payments, the €254 maximum weekly rate, first awards, arrears and holiday checks.
PaymentsDomiciliary Care Allowance
€380 monthly, third-Tuesday payments, care needs, residence rules and medical evidence for applying.
Settling inDriving licence exchange
Check eligible countries, the €65 fee, residence rules, documents and how to apply through NDLS.
Health cardsDrugs Payment Scheme
Check Ireland’s Drugs Payment Scheme limit, family rules, card application and refund steps, plus current HRT guidance, as of…
Settling inEuropean Health Insurance Card
Check eligibility, apply or renew, request an urgent certificate and understand healthcare cover abroad.
Money & taxEmergency tax
Check the rates, register your first job, fix your PPS details and understand Revenue’s payroll refund rules.
RecyclingEstuary recycling centre
Official opening hours, charges, accepted items and access rules to check before you travel.
Money & taxFirst Home Scheme
Buyer eligibility, deposits, equity shares, service charges and checks before applying for a home.
PaymentsFuel Allowance
Fuel Allowance is €38 weekly in 2026. Check household rules, Working Family Payment access and announced changes, with sources as…
Health cardsGP visit card
Check GP visit card eligibility, income assessment, expenses and family registration in Ireland, with practical application steps…
Money & taxHelp to Buy
Check the €35,000 cap, first-time buyer rules, qualifying homes, mortgage tests and Revenue application steps.
PaymentsHousehold Benefits Package
Household Benefits Package helps with energy costs and a TV licence. Check eligibility, the €35 monthly allowance and claims as…
PaymentsIllness Benefit
Illness Benefit supports eligible workers who are sick. Check the 2026 rate, claim deadline, medical evidence and tax treatment…
Settling inIRP renewal
Check when to apply, the standard fee, documents, processing, work conditions and travel while waiting.
PaymentsJobseeker payment dates
Tuesday and Wednesday schedules, current rates, post office collection, declarations and holiday checks.
Settling inLeap card
Learn where to buy a Leap card, how to top up and tap correctly, and which Dublin fares and caps apply, with guidance checked as…
Money & taxLocal Property Tax
Check valuation bands, local adjustments, who pays and Revenue’s published LPT payment dates for 2027.
Settling inM50 toll
M50 car tolls range from €2.60 to €3.80 in 2026. Learn how to pay by 8pm the next day, check rental cars and avoid penalties, as…
PaymentsMaternity Benefit
The €299 weekly rate, PRSI eligibility, application documents, maternity leave and tax explained.
Health cardsMedical card
Understand medical card eligibility in Ireland, covered services, prescription charges and the documents to prepare, checked as…
Money & taxMinimum wage 2026
Ireland’s 2026 minimum wage is €14.15 for employees aged 20+. Check age rates, pay rules and the January 2027 increase, as of…
Money & taxMinimum wage 2027
The €14.94 adult rate starts in January 2027. Check age bands, reckonable pay, allowances and payslip steps.
Settling inMotor tax
Check the rate basis, renew online, find your PIN and understand first-tax, arrears and off-road declarations.
Money & taxMyFutureFund
Check who is enrolled, payroll contributions, employer matching, opt-out windows and existing pension rules.
PaymentsNational Childcare Scheme
Verified subsidy rates, provider checks, preschool differences and application steps for families.
Settling inNCT booking
Check the €60 test fee, appointment options, preparation, cancellation charges and the deadlines for a retest.
PaymentsOne-Parent Family Payment
Understand One-Parent Family Payment in Ireland, including 2026 rates, work, maintenance, child age limits and application steps…
Settling inOpen a bank account
Compare options, prepare identity and address documents, check basic accounts and understand IBAN rules.
PaymentsPaternity Benefit
The weekly rate, leave timing, PRSI checks, employer forms, online applications and tax treatment.
Settling inPPS number
Apply for a PPS number in Ireland: documents, appointment steps, returning residents and first-job tax setup, checked as of…
RecyclingRecycling centres
Compare Dublin recycling centres as of November 2026. Check official opening hours, accepted items, charges and vehicle rules…
Money & taxRent Tax Credit
Check the maximum relief, qualifying rent, RTB rules and how to claim through Revenue myAccount or ROS.
Money & taxRevenue myAccount
Registration, verified MyGovID access, temporary passwords, PAYE returns and safe ways to check your tax online.
PaymentsSocial welfare payment dates
Check Ireland’s social welfare payment patterns, bank and post office arrangements, holiday updates and missing payments, as of…
Settling inStamp 2 student permission
Student work hours, eligible courses, registration, insurance and what to check before renewing permission.
Settling inStamp 4
Check work rights, employment upgrade periods, application evidence, renewal fees and travel before you apply.
PaymentsState Pension payment dates
Irish State Pensions normally pay on Friday. Check payment records, Christmas caveats, 2026 rates and announced 2027 changes as…
PaymentsSUSI payment dates
SUSI payment dates for 2026/27, checked as of November 2026. See higher education and PLC schedules, bank requirements and what…
Money & taxTake-home pay calculator
Use our tax calculator Ireland guide to estimate 2026 take-home pay after Income Tax, USC and PRSI, with rates checked live as of…
Money & taxTax credits 2026
Check PAYE and personal credit amounts, find your certificate, claim missing reliefs and review payroll errors.
PaymentsWorking Family Payment
Working Family Payment helps employees with children. Check 2026 income limits, hours, claims and Fuel Allowance access, verified…