Working as a nurse internationally is a great way to expand your knowledge, make connections around the world, and generally get out of your comfort zone. If you’re someone who’s interested in working abroad, choosing to work in Ireland is like dipping your toes into the big unknown. The people are friendly, nursing is similar in Ireland as it is in the US, and everyone speaks English. In this guide, I am sharing how to get started getting your license, the average salary of nurses in Ireland, the cost of living in Ireland, tips for moving to Ireland, and more.
Please know that this post is specifically for American trained nurses who want to work as a nurse in the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK has different requirements.
Can an American Nurse Work in Ireland?
You might be surprised to learn that yes, American trained nurses can work in Ireland. You are required to meet specific eligibility and credentialing requirements. In order to get your license you must first be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and then complete two processes…
- Qualifications Recognition Process
- Registration Process
Step 1: Register with the NMBI
In order to register with the NMBI, you will need to go to MyNMBI to create an account. You must do this step first in order to complete any step that follows.
Step 2: Qualifications Recognition Process
Once you’ve created an account on MyNMBI, you can start the qualifications recognition process. Essentially, this process shows that you are qualified as a nurse and meet the same skills and knowledge that Irish nurses have in order to work in Ireland. The steps are as follows…
- Log into My NMBI
- Fill out your personal details
- Answer a series of questions that will classify you as G1, G2, or G3 (this determines what documents you will need to submit when applying); as an American, you will not qualify in the G1 group because that group is strictly for nurses from other EU countries
- Submit required documents (this might include documents such as transcripts, references, licenses, etc)
- Pay €350 recognition fee
- NMBI staff will review that your submitted documents are valid and certified
- An ID check is performed
- Undergo an administrative assessment and qualification assessment
- Results of assessment will be emailed to you and you can accept or appeal the decision
Step 3: Registration Process
Once you’ve been determined to be qualified to work as a nurse in Ireland, you will go through the registration process. The steps are as follows…
- Answer questions and upload evidence of English language competence
- Submit further documents and a declaration as indicated in your MyNMBI
- Pay €145 registration fee
- NMBI staff will review that your submitted documents are valid and certified and a decision will be made
- Decision will be emailed to you and you can accept or appeal the decision
Getting a Work Visa
To work as a nurse in Ireland, you must apply for a work visa. Depending on your job offer, this will be a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit. You’ll need to submit all required documents including your job offer and proof of NMBI registration to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
Please know, you must have a job offer and therefore a company or organization who is able to sponsor your work visa in order to get your visa approved. Hospitals, recruitment agencies, etc can all be sponsors.
Salary for Nurses in Ireland
The average salary for nurses in Ireland is around €35,000-€45,000 depending on your experience and which area you’re working in. The biggest determination of your salary is whether you’re working in a public hospital (pay will be lower) versus a private hospital (pay will be higher). Full-time is considered to be 37.5 hours.
Cost of Living in Ireland
According to Numbeo, Ireland is ranked as the 6th most expensive country in Europe. On average, a single person in Ireland can expect to spend around €2,600 on rent and monthly expenses. According to Ireland immigration lawyers, to live comfortably, a family of 4 would need an income of €6,000/month. (I would deduce that a single person would need an income of about €1,500/month to live comfortably).
Unfortunately, if you’re planning to live in Dublin, the cost of living is much higher than in the rest of Ireland. Dublin is the most expensive city in Ireland and the 19th most expensive city in Europe. According to Numbeo, on average, a single person living in Dublin can expect to spend around €3,000+ on rent and monthly expenses.
According to Relocate.Me, these are the average rent costs in Dublin depending on size and location…
- 1 bedroom apartment in the city center – €1,956
- 1 bedroom apartment outside of center – €1,719
- 3 bedroom apartment in the city center – €3,524
- 3 bedroom apartment outside of center – €2,948
Tips for Relocating to Ireland to Work as a Nurse
When you’re finally ready to relocate to Ireland to start your new nursing job, here are some things you’ll need to consider and what to expect…
- Find housing
- Get a personal public service (PPS) number – this will allow you to access social benefits and public services
- Open a bank account
- Navigate Irish healthcare
Your job or recruitment agency should be able to guide you along the way and help you figure out the nuances of moving to Ireland from the United States. Another good resource for cultivating community and getting your questions answered is on Facebook. I recommend searching for groups by using terms such as “expat”, “American nurse in Ireland”, etc, to find community.
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Final Thoughts… is it Worth it?
It’s no doubt that the salary for being a nurse in Ireland is much less compared to the salary of a nurse in the United States. And while that might originally turn you off to the idea of working in Ireland, there are more factors to consider. If you’re someone who wants to experience living abroad, who wants to eventually move to the EU, or just wants to be challenged in a differfent way, this just might be the journey for you.
While I am settled now and not looking to move, I know that if I would have known about this opportunity five years ago, I would’ve jumped at it… and figured it out along the way.
Ireland Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Ireland
TRAVELING THROUGH IRELAND
- The easiest way to book train & bus tickets in Ireland is through Omio
- To book a flight to Ireland, I recommend a large booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options (if you’re from the US, sign up for Going for free, cheap flight alerts)
- For car rentals in Ireland, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want a private driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through Ireland – I use and recommend SafetyWing (read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for a 5% discount
- You will need a visa to visit Northern Ireland which you can get through the app, “UK ETA”
ACCOMODATION IN IRELAND
- To easiest way to book hotels in Ireland is through a large booking platform
TOURS IN IRELAND
- For tours and activities in Ireland, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
- For food tours in Ireland, I recommend Devour Tours
- For walking tours in Ireland, I recommend Take Walks
WHAT TO BRING TO IRELAND
- Don’t forget a Ireland guide book or a Northern Ireland guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (Ireland uses type G)
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- Ireland can often be rainy – be prepared with an umbrella, rain poncho, and rain shoes
If you have any questions about working as a nurse in Ireland, let me know in a comment below!
If you’re interested in working abroad, you might find these posts helpful…
- Different Ways to Pursue International Nursing
- What You Need to Know About Working as a Nurse in the UK
- Getting a Nursing Job in Saudi Arabia with Helen Ziegler
- Recruitment Agencies that Staff Nurses in Saudi Arabia
- How to Work As a Nurse in England: Top Recruitment Agencies for US Nurses
For a more visual look at Ireland, and more ideas on what to see and do, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel and search “#ppinireland or #ppinnorthernireland” or look for my “Ireland” highlight; alternatively head to my TikTok and search under the highlight “Ireland”
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
