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10 things you need to know before buying a home in Ireland

Ireland is a country filled with friendly people, a rich history, and beautiful sites to see and explore.

If you’re planning on moving to Ireland or you want to purchase a house in your homeland, there are a number of things you should consider beforehand.

Buying a house in Ireland can be a long, complicated, and expensive process.

While Ireland is a country with a rich history, some of the friendliest people in the world, and pubs that put any other country to shame, there are some things to be aware of before you do.

10. Ireland is expensive

Depending on where you are looking to buy a house, house prices in Ireland can be very expensive, particularly in Dublin.

The average price of a house in Dublin in 2022 is €427,000, so consider your options before buying a home in Ireland.

9. No residency restrictions

There are no residency-based restrictions to buying houses in Ireland. You can purchase property here if you are an Irish citizen, EU/EEA citizen, non-EEA national or even non-resident in Ireland.

So, this is good news if you aren’t a resident of Ireland and want to buy a house there.

8. Ireland is expensive

If you are planning on moving to the capital, you have to consider the pros and cons of living in Dublin.

Dublin is a very expensive city. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive cities to live in. The cost of living is on the rise in the rest of the country, too.

7. Housing is scarce

Since Covid-19, houses available for sale across Ireland have been at an all-time low. This means there aren’t as many houses to choose from to buy as there once were.

So, you’ll have to be thorough with your research when deciding which area of the country you want to live in.

6. Where you want to live

One of the most important things to consider before buying a house in Ireland is where exactly you want to live.

Whether you want to live in a city or a rural outback, Ireland has it all. If it’s city life you’re after, you might want to consider moving to Dublin, Belfast, Galway or Cork.

However, if it’s the quiet life you desire, there are thousands of small, quiet, rural towns that are just waiting for you.

5. Irish people are very friendly

If you want to be put at ease before buying a house in Ireland, you must know that Irish people are generally very welcoming, tolerant, and above-board friendly.

It can be a daunting process moving to a new city or country, so know that you will be greeted with kind faces no matter where you go.

4. Diversity lives in the cities

Ireland isn’t one of the most diverse countries in Europe by any stretch of the imagination. However, in recent years, this is certainly growing.

If you want to buy a house in an area with different cultures and traditions in one big melting pot, it’s best to look for property in or near the cities.

3. Small population

Ireland has a very small population compared to its size. It has never recovered from the Great Famine that ravaged 1 million people in the 1840s.

A dark part of Ireland’s history, Ireland has never quite made back the huge numbers we lost and is, therefore, not an overcrowded place to live.

2. The island of Ireland is split into two countries

While this may seem like an obvious point, it’s one worth pointing out as a lot of people don’t actually realise that Ireland is divided into two countries, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

While Ireland is made up of 32 counties, six of these are part of Northern Ireland, while the rest are part of the Republic. So, if you’re planning on buying a house in Ireland, make sure you know just where you’re going.

1. Currency

Depending on where you decide to live, there are two different currencies used across the island of Ireland. Much to the point above, Ireland is part of the Eurozone. As such, the Republic uses Euros.

Meanwhile, in the north, you’ll need Sterling. This is something important to consider before buying a house in Ireland when considering conversion rates, depending on where you are moving from.





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