Ireland is recognised throughout the world as an amazing place to live, due to its gorgeous scenery, wonderful people, welcoming culture, political stability, excellent healthcare, and favorable business laws. Located on the western edge of Europe, it is a diverse, scenic country with one of the highest living standards in the world. It was ranked second in terms of its overall standard of living in a United Nations Human Development Report released in 2020 ahead of Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Australia. Ireland is multicultural, diverse and welcomes everyone, which is why many choose to reside here.
If you’re seeking a lifestyle change and looking to reside in Ireland, our relocation guide ensures that you are fully prepared. We have outlined the entire process of moving to Ireland, from the many benefits of living here, to the criteria you need to meet to begin your residency journey in Ireland to acquire a stamp 4 permit.
The benefits of moving to Ireland
One of the most convincing reasons why anyone should consider moving to Ireland is the country’s exceptional quality of life. From its rich history to its beautiful landmark attractions and its vibrant pubs and bars - Ireland offers never-ending opportunities for relocators.
Below, we have summarised 7 main benefits of living in Ireland.
#1: Economic Opportunities
The Irish economy has experienced strong economic growth over the last ten years. This year alone, it is expected to grow by 8.7% and by 5% next year. This incredible economic outlook has led to a vast amount of opportunities, especially in areas such as investment banking, finance, pharma, medicine, academia and much more. If you, or your children, are looking to move abroad to work in some of the most exciting companies on the planet, Ireland is a perfect choice.
Ireland is home to 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world along with the world’s top 5 Global Software companies. It offers global and European headquarters of hundreds of leading technology multinationals including Google, Apple,Facebook, AirBnB, Twitter, Intel, Cisco, Microsoft, Huawei, Salesforce,LinkedIn, Dropbox, PayPal and Pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Johnson& Johnson, Novartis, Medtronic.
#2: Education
If you are considering moving your family to Ireland or have your children attend university here, Ireland offers a world-class education system with a reputation for academic, research and medical training excellence. Not only does Ireland rank 7th in the world for primary and secondary education, but its universities are also in the top 1% of research institutions in the world and produce more entrepreneurs than anywhere in Europe. Moreover, Ireland is currently ranked fifth in the world when it comes to labour force growth. Graduates can thus be assured of internationally recognised qualifications and excellent job opportunities for their future.
#3: The Outdoor Lifestyle
Looking to reinvigorate your weekends? Moving to Ireland is your answer! From stunning coastlines to breath-taking mountains and countryside, this little island has it all. Especially if you enjoy hiking, Ireland is a great place to live with hundreds of well-maintained hiking trails and National Parks to enjoy. Killarney National Park, for instance, offers picturesque views and stunning attractions over the highest mountain range in Ireland.
#4: Culture and History
The Irish are very proud of their heritage and celebrate it through dance, music, sport and storytelling. From ancient monks to medieval druids and colonial settlers, Ireland is steeped in history, giving way to a fascinating mythology and folklore. To fully experience traditional Irish storytelling, great music and people having a great, enjoyable time (the Irish like to say “having the craic”), you can choose between thousands of fantastic and welcoming pubs to fully immerse yourself in the Irish culture. The Irish are a friendly bunch of people and if you’re new in town, the local pub is a great place to meet new people.
#5: World Class Golf Courses
Second only to Scotland when it comes to the importance and history of golf, Ireland is sculpted to be the home of some of the world’s most spectacular golf courses. Considering the quality of Irish golf courses, it is hardly surprising that many of golf’s greatest players, including Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke, come from Ireland. The country is full of amazing golf links wherever you look and thus hugely popular amongst UK, US and global travelers. The Old Head of Kinsale, for instance, is arguably one of the most dramatic settings of any course. Laid out on a towering headland jutting into the Atlantic near Kinsale, it mixes cliff-top with links and series of spectacular holes.
#6: Close to the European Mainland
Living in Ireland will provide you with the opportunity to explore Europe on your weekends and vacation time. Ireland is well connected, you’ll find it extremely easy to fly abroad whenever needs be, it is quick, easy, and inexpensive. In only a couple of hours you can be holidaying in any of Europe’s many fascinating and diverse cities. Ireland also has a great public transport system meaning you’ll never feel disconnected even when living rurally.
#7: Great Healthcare System
Ireland offers a two-tier healthcare system, which includes a public and a private option. The public healthcare system in Ireland consistently ranks highly in global rankings, which is reassuring for anyone choosing to move here. In fact, it was ranked 13th in the world in the medical journal by The Lancet in a 2017 report. Newcomers will find plenty of excellent hospitals and practitioners throughout Ireland.
Moving to Ireland with the Immigrant Investor Programme
The Irish Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) is a residency by investment scheme available to any non-EEA nationals who agree to invest in Ireland and can meet certain requirements. One of the many benefits of the IIP is that it allows you to legally reside in the country, before citizenship becomes possible after a set number of years. Successful applicants and their family will be granted residence under “Stamp 4” conditions. This particular designation permits you to work, study or start your own business here in Ireland.
This particular designation permits you to continue to work,study or even start your own business here in Ireland. Here at the IDLF our mission is to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether an investment through the IIP is the right step for you. We have worked with many clients from around the world and are very proud of our 100% approval track record. If you choose to proceed, we have the expertise you need to help ensure a successful outcome for your application. Our team is here to help you throughout each stage of the process, and afterwards if you are successful, we will also be able to support you in transitioning to your new life in Ireland.
The Application Process
In order to be eligible to apply for the Immigrant Investor Programme, you must be a non-EEA citizen of good character, who has never been convicted of any criminal offences in any jurisdiction. You must also be able to show a minimum net worth of €2m and the ability to invest in one of the four eligible investment options offered by IIP. Throughout this process, we assist you in every step with face-to-face meetings, building your application and ultimately submitting and securing your residency!
Once the application has been submitted it will be processed for approval. The current processing time for applications by the Irish authorities is six to nine months. Once approved, you are granted 90 days to make your investment. Once the investment is complete you will receive your full approval letter with the date of permission of access into Ireland. Initially, you will receive two years of permission which will then be renewed for another three years. After the five years, you will then receive your investment back and you can renew your Stamp 4 permission for a further five years, ongoing.
It is important to bear in mind that although the process of applying and receiving approval for the Immigrant Investor Programme is lengthy and time-consuming, we here at IDLF will make the process as straightforward as possible and assist you with your application in order to ensure your journey is as effortless as possible. By choosing IDLF as your IIP partner, you will invest your money in a portfolio of high quality local Irish businesses, such as hotels, which will ultimately help Irish businesses expand their offering and increase employment in the Irish community.
If you are still unsure about the process or have any questions regarding investing in Ireland or any aspect of the Immigrant Investor Programme, the IDLF team are happy to help. Contact our team today!
