What do I need before moving back to Ireland permanently?
Sort the paper before the plane. You will need a PPS number for tax, welfare and most public services, and you can only apply once you are back, so make it a first-week job. An Irish bank account generally has to wait until you arrive too, because banks want photo ID and an Irish proof of address. Line up somewhere to live, and know that health cover turns on being ordinarily resident: living here a year, or clearly intending to. Citizens Information runs a Returning to Ireland section covering housing, work, schools, health and finances step by step, and Safe Home Ireland advises returning emigrants free. Bring birth and marriage certificates, and school and medical records, in your hand luggage rather than the shipping container.
Useful pages: Irish in USA · The Irish surnames map · Trace your Irish roots · Coming home · Irish around the world
Sources
- Citizens Information: returning to Ireland, PPS numbers and the Habitual Residence Condition, citizensinformation.ie
- Safe Home Ireland: information, housing and outreach for returning emigrants, safehomeireland.com
More in Irish in USA and the diaspora
- What is the Foreign Births Registration, and who qualifies?
- What documents do I need for a Foreign Births Registration application?
- Does my child qualify if I register my own foreign birth after they are born?
- What is the difference between citizenship by descent and the Foreign Births Register?
- Can I claim Irish citizenship through a great-grandparent?