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Thinking of moving to Southern Ireland

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 8:14am
21 replies821 views10 members subscribed
DEP003

DEP003

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My wife and I are considering moving to Southern Ireland which is still part of the EU and from our research, we understand that as UK Nations and under the CTA we would not need to apply for Residencia and the 90 day rule, as it applies in other EU Countries, will not apply.  However, my concern is in respect of the Medical Card process which is 'Means' tested.

Can anyone clarify if a pension is counted as an form of 'income' under their assessment process?  Without the card we would have to pay for everything, including Doctors appointments.

Any other tips/advice would also be most welcome.

Kelvin1960

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 10:42am

Kelvin1960

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Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 10:42am

Will you obtain ROI passports ?

I think the passport is the determinant.

DEP003

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 1:03pm

DEP003

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Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 1:03pm

Kelvin1960 wrote on Mon Aug 8, 2022 10:42am:

Will you obtain ROI passports ?

I think the passport is the determinant.

We are not of Irish descent and so we can not claim Irish Citizenship, so my guess is 'No'

Kimmy11

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 1:35pm

Kimmy11

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Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 1:35pm

Hi Dep003,

I'm afraid that without an Irish passport, your residency in the Republic of Ireland as a UK citizen will give you no greater access to EU travel than my Spanish residency does.  Residency in a EU country entitles you to live continuously in that country; however, if I wanted to travel to France, for example, Schengen would continue to apply to me as a British passport holder, so I still wouldn't be entitled to exceed 90 days there. 

Kind regards, 

Kim

DEP003

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 1:51pm

DEP003

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Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 1:51pm

Kimmy11 wrote on Mon Aug 8, 2022 1:35pm:

Hi Dep003,

I'm afraid that without an Irish passport, your residency in the Republic of Ireland as a UK citizen will give you no greater access to EU travel than my Spanish residency does.  Residency in a EU country entitles you to live continuously in that country; however, if I wanted to travel to Fr...

...ance, for example, Schengen would continue to apply to me as a British passport holder, so I still wouldn't be entitled to exceed 90 days there. 

Kind regards, 

Kim

Hi Kim, this is where the confusion begins.  On the Gov.UK website it states:

Under the CTA (Common Travel Agreement), British and Irish citizens can move freely and reside in either jurisdiction and enjoy associated rights and privileges, including the right to work, study and vote in certain elections, as well as to access social welfare benefits and health services.

This would suggest that as a UK National, I can travel and live anywhere in Ireland, including Southern, without the 90 day rule applying.

I'm struggling to get confirmation on this though!

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jimbo1234

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 2:00pm

jimbo1234

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Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 2:00pm

DEP003 wrote on Mon Aug 8, 2022 1:51pm:

Hi Kim, this is where the confusion begins.  On the Gov.UK website it states:

Under the CTA (Common Travel Agreement), British and Irish citizens can move freely and reside in either jurisdiction and enjoy associated rights and privileges, including the right to work, study and vote in certain elections, as well as to access social welfare benefits and health services...

....

This would suggest that as a UK National, I can travel and live anywhere in Ireland, including Southern, without the 90 day rule applying.

I'm struggling to get confirmation on this though!

90 day rule doesn't apply to UK citizens in Ireland. There maybe something on IRL gov websites or Irish citizens information website. 

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/

I think both Governmens are trying to retain the old relationship ie pre-Brexit. 

Medical Card is means tested. Ithink you would need Private Health Insurance, at least to start. 

Kelvin1960

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 8:08pm

Kelvin1960

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Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 8:08pm

To clarify ..

are you asking if a UK Brit passport holder can settle in ROI

or can a Brit passport holder with ROI Residence have free movement within the EU ?

DEP003

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 8:29pm

DEP003

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Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 8:29pm

Kelvin1960 wrote on Mon Aug 8, 2022 8:08pm:

To clarify ..

are you asking if a UK Brit passport holder can settle in ROI

or can a Brit passport holder with ROI Residence have free movement within the EU ?

We are UK Citizens with UK Passports.  We have no ties to Ireland in any way but we are considering moving there and living there permanently.  

As it stands at the moment, anyone who is a non-resident in any EU Country can only stay in that Country for a maximum of 90 days, however, under the Common Travel Agreement it appears that as a UK Citizen, we can move and live in any Southern Ireland (an EU Country) as UK Citizens without having to apply for Residency or having to comply with 90 day rule

I am just trying to ascertain if my understanding of this is correct and I havent misread whats on the Gov.UK website.

Kelvin1960

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 9:40pm

Kelvin1960

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Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 9:40pm

DEP003 wrote on Mon Aug 8, 2022 8:29pm:

We are UK Citizens with UK Passports.  We have no ties to Ireland in any way but we are considering moving there and living there permanently.  

As it stands at the moment, anyone who is a non-resident in any EU Country can only stay in that Country for a maximum of 90 days, however, under the Common Travel Agreement it appears that as a UK Citizen, we can move and live in any Southern Ireland (an EU Country) as UK Citizens without having...

... to apply for Residency or having to comply with 90 day rule

I am just trying to ascertain if my understanding of this is correct and I havent misread whats on the Gov.UK website.

This link from an Irish Government website confirms your understanding.

Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK (citizensinformation.ie)

MeathMaria

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 10:52pm

MeathMaria

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Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 10:52pm

DEP003 wrote on Mon Aug 8, 2022 8:29pm:

We are UK Citizens with UK Passports.  We have no ties to Ireland in any way but we are considering moving there and living there permanently.  

As it stands at the moment, anyone who is a non-resident in any EU Country can only stay in that Country for a maximum of 90 days, however, under the Common Travel Agreement it appears that as a UK Citizen, we can move and live in any Southern Ireland (an EU Country) as UK Citizens without having...

... to apply for Residency or having to comply with 90 day rule

I am just trying to ascertain if my understanding of this is correct and I havent misread whats on the Gov.UK website.

Yes as a UK citizen you can certainly go to live in southern Ireland. 

Your equivalent of the EHIC will cover you for emergency health care.    That is until you get all your paperwork sorted out.

You will be able to make an appointment at the Intreo Office (social welfare re your pension, medical card info etc)

Also the Citizens Advice centers in Ireland are an excellent source of info.  All info is online as well.    Why not try phoning or emailing them?

An over 70s couple can have a good weekly pension/income and still receive a full medical card.

At this time however,  houses of any type are in very short supply.   Those that are for sale command high prices.    Rentals are virtually non existent as there was already a shortage of rooms before war in Ukraine forced over 40,000 people to seek refuge in Ireland so far. 

Ireland although scenic and generally a great place to live,  has become a very expensive place to live.    We will not talk about the rain :))

Good luck with your plans 

Regards

Maria

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