Moving from Brazil to Ireland: Complete 2026 Guide

For Brazilians who speak English, Ireland removes one of the biggest relocation hurdles from day one — no new language to learn for daily life or work. As the European base for Google, Meta, LinkedIn, Stripe and dozens of pharma multinationals, Dublin offers some of the highest tech and pharma salaries in the EU. The trade-off is a genuinely difficult housing market: this guide is honest about that reality while walking you through the employment permit process, PPS number, HSE healthcare, and settling into a country famous for its warmth despite the weather.

1. Which employment permit do you need?

Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area and, as an EU member with its own immigration system, requires most Brazilians to secure an employment permit before moving — sponsored by an Irish employer through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).

2. Documents to prepare in Brazil

• Diploma + transcript — apostilled; have qualifications assessed if entering a regulated profession (nursing, engineering) via the relevant Irish regulatory body.
• Certified English translation — needed if any document isn't already in English or Irish.
• Criminal record certificate (Antecedentes Criminais) — apostilled, recent issue date.
• Birth and marriage certificates — apostilled and translated if bringing family for Stamp 4.
• Signed employment contract — your employer typically files the employment permit application on your behalf via the online portal.
• Proof of funds — for students and some permit types, evidence of sufficient savings to cover initial living costs.

3. Your first 30 days in Ireland

• Apply for your PPS number — the Personal Public Service number is essential for payroll, tax, and social welfare; apply online via MyWelfare.ie as soon as you have an Irish address.
• Open a bank account — AIB, Bank of Ireland, or Revolut (a fast starter option before you have permanent proof of address).
• Book your IRP registration — the Irish Residence Permit card is mandatory for non-EEA nationals staying over 90 days; book online at Burgh Quay (Dublin) or your local Garda station outside Dublin.
• Give your employer your PPS and tax credit details — via Revenue's myAccount, to avoid being placed on emergency tax (which can take a large chunk of your first paychecks).
• Register with a GP — even before you need care, so you're not searching during an emergency; many practices in Dublin have long waitlists for new patients.
• Register your tenancy with the RTB — your landlord is legally required to do this; confirm it's been done to protect your deposit.

4. Cost of living: 4 major cities

Salaries are strong, especially in tech and pharma, but rent absorbs a bigger share of income than in Brazil. Use the IC360 finance pillar to model your budget in EUR before you sign an offer.

5. Finding housing — be honest with yourself about timing

Ireland's rental market, particularly in Dublin, is one of the tightest in Europe. Start searching only after you have a confirmed start date, and budget for 4–8 weeks of temporary accommodation while you search.

• Daft.ie — the dominant platform, check multiple times a day as listings move fast.
• Rent.ie and MyHome.ie — secondary platforms worth checking in parallel.
• Facebook groups for "Rent Dublin" and "Brasileiros na Irlanda" often share listings before they hit major sites.
• Never wire a deposit before viewing in person (or via a verified agent) — rental scams targeting newcomers are common on Daft and Facebook.
• Consider a room in a shared house (common and accepted for adults in Ireland) to enter the market faster while you search for your own place.

6. Healthcare

Ireland's public system is run by the HSE (Health Service Executive). Coverage is not automatic or free for everyone — most working residents pay GP fees out of pocket and take out private insurance to reduce public hospital wait times.

• GP visits — around €50–65 without a medical card; register with a local practice as soon as possible.
• Private health insurance — widely held even by people eligible for public care, via VHI, Laya Healthcare, or Irish Life Health; many employers include it as a benefit.
• Public hospital care — free or subsidized depending on income and medical card status, but wait times for non-emergency procedures can be long.

7. Language & community

English is the main working language, which makes Ireland one of the easiest EU countries for Brazilians to integrate into professionally and socially from day one.

• A sizeable Brazilian community already lives in Dublin, working across tech, hospitality, and healthcare — search Facebook for "Brasileiros na Irlanda" and "Brazilians in Dublin" for active groups.
• InterNations Dublin — regular expat meetups and networking events.
• Irish (Gaeilge) is the first official language but rarely required for daily life or work outside the Gaeltacht regions.
• Join the IC360 community to connect with other Brazilians navigating the Irish permit and housing process.

8. Schools & education

• Public national schools (primary) and secondary schools — free, with many operated under religious patronage (historically Catholic); Educate Together offers a multidenominational alternative in most cities.
• International schools are rare since English-medium public education already suits most expat families.
• Enrollment waitlists in Dublin can be long — start applying as soon as you have an address, even a year ahead if possible.

9. Culture & daily life shocks

10. Supermarket & daily shopping guide

• Tesco, Dunnes Stores, and SuperValu — the three biggest Irish-market chains.
• Lidl and Aldi — noticeably cheaper, popular for weekly shops.
• Centra and Spar — convenience stores on nearly every corner, useful for top-ups.
• Contactless card and mobile payments are used for almost everything — carrying cash is rarely necessary.

11. Essential apps