It seems that digital nomads have caught on that Ireland is actually one of the best countries or places to be in and live their desired lifestyles. The emerald isles have actually welcomed a lot of these backpackers and adventurers alike in the past few years.
And, why not, right? Ireland is full of breathtaking landscapes, has great internet connection, and people would have access to just about everything that they’d need to work and live freely at the same time.
From castles to jaw-dropping landscapes to a rich culture, you’ll never get bored nor get uninspired in a country with geography that’s just as exciting as their locals while you juggle vacationing and working at the same time.
So, for all digital nomads out there, it’s time to explore the emerald isles.
Ireland for digital nomads at a glance
Pros
- Ireland is very safe, especially for women!
- Modern convenience – super-fast and reliable internet connection to make your work easier
- Not too crowded
- Clean environment, fresh air
- English as a primary language – no language barrier!
- Family friendly
- Politically stable
- Good business opportunities + accessible education and healthcare
- Hospitable locals and amazing location for sightseeing!
Cons
- The cost of living can be expensive
- Accommodation is expensive, as well as food and transportation – apartments in major cities can cost over $1000+ to rent
- Winters can get very cold! The weather is generally rainy, even throughout summer
Visa and Legal Requirements
Visa requirements will vary depending on your country of origin; check the official immigration website to confirm the type of visa that will suit you.
If you are traveling from a country that requires a visa to enter Ireland, the best option for you is a short stay ‘C’ tourist visa.
Check if you’re traveling from a country that does not require a visa upon entry to Ireland here.
Work visas are also available, but these require that you have a valid contract within Ireland. Therefore, these are not the best options for a digital nomad.
The short stay ‘C’ tourist visa is valid for up to 90 days, and can be extended for another 90 days under special circumstances. Applying for this type of visa is easy and you can do it online.
Note that it is recommended to begin your application 3 months before travel and that if you are traveling with friends or family, each application must be completed separately. The process to apply for a visa is simple:
- Create your visa application online via the link above
- Pay the application fee (€60 for single entry, €100 for multiple entry if you plan on leaving and re-entering Ireland within your 90 days)
- Send your passport and other documents required for processing – when approved, these will be returned to you with your visa.
Documents you may need include:
- Proof of address (letter from your bank or government, etc)
- Itinerary
- Passport-size photographs
- Proof of finances
- Proof of return ticket.
Once you have your visa, this enables you to legally stay in Ireland for up to 3 months while working remotely.
Remember that under a short-stay visa, you are not allowed to work in any capacity for a company within Ireland; this requires you to have a work visa!
Cost of Living in Ireland
The cost of living in Ireland can get quite expensive. While it does offer many desirable conveniences such as fast, reliable wifi and accessible healthcare, these do come at a price. Let’s break down these prices for better comparison!
Ireland is ranked by Expatistan as the third most expensive country in Western Europe, with the monthly costs for a single person estimated to be €3,346.
Monthly rent on average can be around €2,277. Rent is without a doubt the highest cost contributing to this expensive cost of living, but this varies depending on the location with smaller cities being cheaper.
Check out the table below for some price comparisons (all in USD).
| Location | Rent (1 bed apartment) | Utilities | Food (meal at inexpensive restaurant) | Transportation (one way ticket) |
| Dublin | 2,199.32 in city centre | 287.96 | 21.82 | 2.18 |
| Cork | 1,653.81 in city center | 223.69 | 16.36 | 2.18 |
| Galway | 1,677.18 in city center | 213.47 | 16.36 | 2.07 |
| Belfast (UK) | 1,163.16 in city center | 183.25 | 23.47 | 3.20 |
Internet Facilities in Ireland
When you’re working remotely, having high-speed, reliable internet is one of the most important aspects that are often not considered with enough gravity.
Fortunately, internet connectivity (as reported in 2022) in Ireland stands at a comfortable 94% – meaning that you can find internet connection pretty much anywhere in Ireland!
The broadband provider that is reported to offer the most reliable broadband network is Eir.
However, the average speed understandably varies across the country, so check out the table below for a comparison of internet speeds, cost, and location:
| Location | Average speed (Mbps) | Cost (USD monthly) |
| Dublin | 44.85 | 55.46 |
| Cork | 17.08 | 55.61 |
| Galway | 20.24 | 46.22 |
| Belfast (UK) | 30.13 | 38.94 |
The Weather in Ireland
Year-round, the weather in Ireland is wet – just like you may have seen in any movie based in the country!
While the usual four seasons exist, they each come with a lot more rain in Ireland.
Mid-spring is perhaps surprisingly the time of year with the least amount of rain. In summer, while the temperatures are warmer, it is still rainy about 50% of the time.
Autumn brings shorter days and drops in temperature, although the changing colors of foliage during this season are truly stunning.
Winter gets cold but not below freezing; ice and snow are accompanied by the year-round staple of rain.
| Location | Average temperature (winter) | Average temperature (summer) | Average humidity | Average precipitation |
| Dublin | 5°c | 16°c | 73% | 750 mm |
| Cork | 5.7°c | 15.1°c | 75% | 1,230 mm |
| Galway | 6°c | 16°c | 83% | 1,155 mm |
| Belfast (UK) | 4.7°c | 15.4°c | 90% | 940 mm |
Finding a Place to Stay in Ireland
Before you decide to set off for your trip to Ireland as a digital nomad, you probably want to have a good look at the places you’ll be likely to stay in while you’re there!
There are many options with a variety of attractions for anyone, and the excellent internet coverage means you’ll be able to travel almost anywhere in Ireland while still being able to work.
Best places in Ireland for Digital Nomads
Dublin
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Great culture, one size fits all | Expensive cost of living |
Recommended spots: St Stephen’s Green is unbeatable on a good day, offering free wifi in a park setting for a change of space. This iconic garden is a must-visit in the heart of the city.
Kaph is a cafe that is a favorite amongst remote workers for its minimalist decor, focused ambiance, and excellent coffee.
Coworking in Dublin
Coworkinn is a well-known co-working space in Dublin. Located in the suburb of Sandyford, it’s handy for public transport being just 5 minutes from the Stillorgan Luas station.
Membership costs start from €45 a month, but this includes access to internet, tea and coffee, printers, meeting rooms, and all you could need.
You can join with a dedicated desk space or drop-in, where your desk space is flexible to what’s available.
Cork
Cork is home to vibrant natural beauty, a high standard of safety, great access to healthcare and education, and friendly locals.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| International city, and cheaper than Dublin | Public transport is not the best – recommended to own a car here |
Recommended spots: Dukes coffee company comes recommended with a peaceful but interesting atmosphere to keep you focussed, good coffee, and reasonable prices.
Coworking in Cork
This ensures access to all your usual amenities, free internet, free coffee and snacks, printing, a breakout area, and free parking.
Galway
Galway is not as big as Dublin but is subsequently less crowded and has a more laid-back culture in comparison to the bigger city!
It’s a great access point to facilitate your travel further west, if that’s what you’re looking to do.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Thriving arts scene and stunning seaside location offers something unique | Again, the cost of living is quite high here |
Recommended spots: Coffeewerk & press is a cute boutique cafe that emphasizes mindfulness in the hectic city life.
This makes for the perfect ambiance for remote working! The coffee is excellent too and it’s located relatively central, near the docks.
Coworking in Galway
Belfast (UK)
We can’t leave out the capital of Northern Ireland!
Belfast is only half the land area of Dublin but is very busy regardless with lots to do.
The city is conveniently planned so that many places around the city can be reached on foot.
This, as well as the lower cost of transport, accommodation, and food, means that this city is a lot cheaper than Dublin.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Cheap! Also, provides great ease of access to Great Britain and the rest of the UK | Public transport leaves more to be desired |
Recommended spots: Established coffee boasts high internet speeds and a quiet environment for you to do your best work! It’s located in the cathedral corner, so there is lots to do around this cafe.
Coworking in Belfast
Best ways to find a place in the country
Finding accommodation can be difficult, but never fear – these are our most reliable ways of locating value accommodation at good prices:
- Airbnb is always a favorite for finding cute, well-maintained holiday homes at good prices
- Ireland.com is a website that details all the different types of accommodation you can find in Ireland as a digital nomad
- Booking.com has a large database of hotels and other types of accommodation so you can book with ease online
- It’s also worth scouring Facebook and other social media websites for people looking for house sitters/to sublet their homes for cheaper prices!
Where can you meet other Digital Nomads in Ireland?
It’s important to make connections and stay in the social scene with like-minded people, as traveling can sometimes be isolating.
Nomadlist provides details about meetups of digital nomads in the area. Meetup is also another such website that posts regular meetings for digital nomads in Ireland.
You can also join a Facebook group specifically for digital nomads in Ireland and the UK that facilitates meetups and other activities.
Diverse and Delicious Foods in Ireland
Ireland is a culture that relies on farming to provide its common dishes. These must-try dishes for people traveling through ireland include:
- Irish soda bread
- Paired with Irish stew
- Ulster fry, for an Irish take on the iconic fried breakfast
- Potato bread
- And Irish Barmbrack as a sweet treat to finish.
Ireland’s Endless Entertainment Options
Getting out and about in Ireland is easy to do with so many options to keep you entertained!
There is an abundance of museums to visit that will satisfy your thirst for knowledge.
Experience Irish culture at Croke Park, Dublin, where the local games of Gaelic football and Hurling are hosted. Ireland is famous for its old castles, so visiting one for a tour is a must-do.
How Safe is Ireland for Digital Nomads?
The crime rate in Ireland is very low, at 0.44 in 2021. The majority of offenses are theft and related crimes, which – while unpleasant – do not pose a serious threat to the personal safety of a digital nomad.
Crime rates have risen only marginally since 2019 and some (such as fraud) have dropped since then.
Health and Medical Considerations
Ireland has both private and public healthcare available, and both are offered at an excellent standard.
Public healthcare is free to residents and, in certain cases, visitors.
If you want the peace of mind that you will be able to quickly access top-of-the-line medical care in the worst-case scenario, it is recommended that you take out health insurance before traveling.
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap on the ultimate guide to Ireland for digital nomads!
Ireland has so much to offer and comes with the certainty that you’ll be able to access all the necessities while experiencing the culture and history of Ireland.
It’s recommended that you budget at least $4,000 per month here based on cost of living estimates.
If you really want to experience the best of Ireland, I’d suggest heading to Galway; the arts scene here is one you don’t want to miss!
Does the 90 tourist visa on arrival allows you to perform work for an company not located in Ireland? Or is there another permit needed?
I.E. Im from mexico, working for mexican company. I go Ireland, (no pre visa required) I get a tourist visa on arrival for 90 days. Can I perform my work activities?
A tourist visa like the article described is only for you to stay/visit for that amount of time. There is no restriction on you performing your work for a company not based in Ireland.
No, you cannot work in Ireland (or the UK) on a tourist visa, even if it’s for a company outside Ireland.
Thanks so much for this Natasha. So it sounds like there would be a 90 day max stay in the Republic of Ireland, or do you happen to know if you can easily get another tourist visa without leaving?
Any idea if there are work visa options too?
Thanks!
Brendan