In order to retire to Ireland, foreigners must be able to provide evidence on being financially independent, meaning that they won’t need to obtain active income originating in this country. Our immigration lawyer in Ireland can present you the main aspects you should know if you want to retire here.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| How can foreigners retire to Ireland? | Individuals who want to retire to Ireland must apply for a Stamp 0 and a D Reside visa. |
Types of visas suitable for retirement | D Reside visa. |
Income thresholds imposed (yes/no) | Yes |
| Minimum financial requirements | EUR 50,000 per year, per applicant. |
| Types of income accepted | Income originated outside Ireland, such as pension income or other personal funds, savings, etc. |
| Who can apply for the retirement visa? | The visa can be obtained by persons who arrive here under independed means of living or by those who are elderly dependends (they need an Irish sponsor), who cannot, for the entirety of their stay in Ireland, access Irish state benefits. |
| Where can the visa application be initiated? | Outside Ireland. |
| Interview formalities (yes/no) | No (in general, applicants of a D Reside visa are not asked to participate in an interview, but this may be required in certain situations, decided on a case-to-case basis). |
| Documents necessary for the visa application | – valid passport; – a copy of the birth certificate; – a copy of the marriage certificate (if applicable); – reasons for which the permission to stay is required under the Stamp 0; – details of family members living in Ireland (where applicable); – documents attesting the financial situation of the applicant; – documents attesting that the financial papers have been verified by an Irish accountant; – a valid medical insurance that covers private medical care in Ireland; – a police clearance issued by the police in the home country of the applicant. |
| Validity of the visa | A person can retire to Ireland as the holder of a Stamp 0 permit for a period of 1 year. |
| Renewal possible (yes/no) | Yes (on a year-to-year basis). |
| Legal obligations upon arrival in Ireland | It is mandatory to register with the local police stations operating in the cities/counties where the applicants will have their residence. |
| Right to permanent residence through retirement visa | Foreigners who retire to Ireland can’t use the Stamp 0 for permanent residency. |
| Minimum age for suitable candidates | For retirees, minimum 65 years old. |
| Duration of the visa processing | 4 months. |
Table of Contents
What is the procedure to retire to Ireland?
According to the Department of Justice, there are 3 basic steps, that can vary slightly based on the situation of an applicant (visa applicant or visa free applicant). Find below some of the basic matters:
- step 1 – all applicants are first required to apply for permission to retire to Ireland;
- step 2 – start the visa formalities, in the case in which the applicant is from a third party state;
- step 3 – complete the retirement procedure after the arrival in Ireland;
- have an individual income of minimum EUR 50,000 per year;
- for persons who arrive here with their spouse, the minimum financial requirement is of EUR 100,000 per year.
In what situation can I retire to Ireland visa free?
Visa free arrivals to the state of Ireland are possible for the citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). In all other cases, visa procedures must be initiated.
When do I need to initiate the visa procedures?
The application for the Irish visa must be initiated after the 1st step has been successfully completed, meaning that the individual received an approval letter from the Irish authorities (in this case, the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division).
For what type of visa should I apply if I want to retire to Ireland?
For foreigners who want to retire to Ireland who need a visa, the visa formalities have to be initiated. Thus, in order to have the right to residency in Ireland, you must conduct additional formalities (you have to apply for the D visa).
To what institution should I address in order to apply for permission?
The 1st step on immigration to Ireland for persons who want to arrive here as retirees is to apply for permission. This step is imposed to those who have to apply for a visa, as well as to those who are visa free and the application is made with the Immigration Service Delivery.
What are the documents necessary to retire to Ireland?
The identity documents of the applicant, along with the birth certificate/marriage certificate (where applicable) have to be added to the application file. Then, the request for permission must be justified by the applicant; documents attesting the financial situation are necessary as well – one must submit bank statements issued in the last 6 months.
Do I need to have health insurance?
Yes. It is mandatory to have suitable health insurance that is recognized in Ireland and that can cover the costs of potential medical treatments carried out in Irish healthcare units.
If you want to find out the basics on how to retire to Ireland, please read our next infographic:
How long does it take to process the visa application?
According to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the processing of a D visa issued for retirement purposes can take around 4 months. In practice, delays can appear.
What is the validity of the document?
This visa type is valid for a period of 1 year.
Can a retirement visa be renewed in Ireland?
Yes, foreigners have the right to renew their visas, including the one issued for retirement purposes. For this, you must complete the TPER (Temporary Permission to Remain) Renewal Form. It is recommended to start the renewal procedure 4 months prior to the expiry of the current visa.
What happens if my visa application is rejected?
Some of the visa applications are rejected due to various factors, in accordance with the regulations of the law. If this is the case, the Irish authorities will issue a letter of refusal which will contain the reasoning for the refusal.
Is it possible to appeal the visa rejection?
The right to appeal a visa refusal varies based on the type of visa. Applicants of D visas are entitled to make an appeal, but for this they need to comply with specific procedures – our immigration lawyerscan present the steps that must be taken in this case and the documentation required by the Irish officials.
Do I need to complete any immigration steps after the arrival in Ireland?
Yes, according to the law on immigration to Ireland, if you have been issued with the visa that allows you to retire to Ireland, after your arrival you will need to register the immigration permission you received. Please mind that you have to complete this step in maximum 90 days since the date of the arrival.
We invite you to watch a short presentation on the visa suitable for retirement to Ireland:
Can I apply for permanent residency as a retired person?
If you have arrived in Ireland for retirement purposes, you need initially to renew the retirement visa each year upon its expiry. In order to have permanent residency rights, you must live at least 5 years in the state, so permanent residency can be obtained only after this period of time has passed by.
We invite you tocontact our team of immigration lawyers in Ireland for more details on the retirement visa and on any procedure that you may need to follow.
