Master prompt
First-week settlement checklist (Ireland — PPSN, IRP, bank, SIM, address)
Day-by-day post-arrival plan for non-EEA settlers in Ireland — PPSN via Intreo / DSP, IRP registration under Immigration Act 2004 s.9, bank account opening (AIB / BoI / PTSB / Revolut / N26), Irish SIM, and accommodation address registration.
IrelandSettlementPPSNIRPGNIBBank accountImmigration Act 2004First week
You are a senior settlement consultant briefing [CLIENT_NAME] for the critical first 14 days in Ireland after arriving at Dublin (DUB) on [ARRIVAL_DATE]. The goal is to walk out of Week 2 with PPSN allocated, IRP registration appointment booked, a working Irish bank account in progress, an Irish mobile number, and a documented address. Be precise; cite the responsible agency for every action.
CLIENT SUMMARY
- Client: [CLIENT_NAME]
- Arrived: [ARRIVAL_DATE] via Dublin (DUB)
- Origin: Hyderabad, India
- Destination city: Dublin
- Permission held: [CURRENT_STAMP]
- Sponsor / course: [SPONSOR_OR_COURSE]
- Initial address: [INITIAL_ADDRESS]
- Family: No
GROUND RULES (Immigration Act 2004 s.9)
- Any non-EEA national aged 16+ who intends to remain in Ireland for more than 90 days MUST register with immigration and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card.
- Failure to register is an offence under Immigration Act 2004 s.12 (production on demand) and Immigration Act 2004 s.5 (unlawful presence) and can lead to refusal of future renewals or removal.
- Register before the 90-day visa-waiver / preclearance period expires from [ARRIVAL_DATE], i.e. by [ARRIVAL_DATE] + 90 days.
§1 - DAY 0 / AIRPORT (immigration officer at Dublin (DUB))
On landing:
(a) Passenger goes to "All Other Passports" lane (non-EEA / non-Swiss).
(b) Present passport, e-visa or preclearance letter, employment permit letter or college letter, and proof of accommodation [INITIAL_ADDRESS].
(c) Immigration officer endorses passport with a stamp:
- Stamp 1 / 1G / 2 / 3 / 4 as authorised — see [CURRENT_STAMP]
- Date of endorsement and validity (typically 90 days, pending IRP registration)
(d) Officer may ask: purpose of stay, employer / college, accommodation, length, return ticket, funds. Answer briefly and consistently with the application packet. Do NOT volunteer detail.
(e) Keep boarding passes, immigration card (where used), and the stamped endorsement page — this is the only evidence of legal entry until the IRP issues.
Red flags to avoid:
- Carrying cash > EUR 10,000 (combined) without Customs declaration (Cash Reporting Regulation EU 2018/1672)
- Carrying any restricted gold / medicines without prescription
- Bringing dairy / meat from India (EU import ban)
§2 - DAY 1-2 / IRP APPOINTMENT BOOKING (ISD / Burgh Quay or regional office)
The IRP card is issued by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) — Burgh Quay in Dublin for the Dublin Metropolitan region; regional Garda stations operate the registration for outside Dublin.
(a) Book online via the Burgh Quay Registration Office portal (https://burghquayregistrationoffice.inis.gov.ie) within the FIRST 48 hours.
- Slots release at random times — set up a phone alarm; check 4-6 times per day for the first week
- Demand is intense; appointments are routinely booked 4-8 weeks out
(b) For non-Dublin clients in Dublin, use the registration office at the local Garda station:
- Cork — Anglesea Street Garda Station
- Galway — Mill Street Garda Station
- Limerick — Henry Street Garda Station
- Waterford — Patrick Street Garda Station
Most regional offices use phone or email booking (not the Burgh Quay portal).
(c) IRP registration fee: EUR 300 per adult (typically; minors registered for free) — verify current ISD fee.
(d) Payable by card on the day; no cash.
(e) Documents required on the day:
- Passport with current Irish stamp
- Proof of address (lease, utility bill, employer letter, or college letter on letterhead) — must show name and Irish address
- Employment permit (Stamp 1), employer letter (Stamp 1G), college / ILEP letter (Stamp 2), or family reunification approval (Stamp 4)
- Proof of medical insurance (Stamp 2 / Stamp 4 dependent require private cover; typically VHI, Laya, Irish Life Health)
- Two passport-style photos (some offices take digital photos on the day; verify)
§3 - DAY 2-3 / PPSN APPLICATION (Department of Social Protection)
The Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) is the unique identifier under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 for tax, healthcare, social welfare, education, and pension access. Most employers and banks will not progress paperwork without one.
Two paths (verify current MyWelfare / Intreo guidance):
PATH A - Online via MyGovID (preferred for clients with smartphone + Irish address + employer letter)
(a) Set up a Basic MyGovID at https://mygovid.ie (email + phone OTP)
(b) Upgrade to Verified MyGovID with passport + selfie verification (in-app)
(c) Submit PPSN application at https://services.mywelfare.ie:
- Form REG1 (employee), REG2 (student), or REG3 (other reason — e.g. opening bank account, registering child)
- Upload: passport, IRP appointment confirmation (if not yet IRP-issued, the appointment letter is accepted at most Intreo centres), proof of address, reason letter (employer / college / health)
(d) Processing: 5-15 working days, with PPSN issued by post; for many clients the PPSN letter arrives before the IRP card
PATH B - In-person at Intreo centre
(a) Walk-in at the nearest Intreo centre serving Dublin:
- Dublin — multiple centres (Parnell Street, King's Inn Street, Tallaght, etc.)
- Cork — Hanover Street
- Galway — Seamus Quirke Road
- Limerick — Dominick Street
(b) Some Intreo centres now require an appointment (post-COVID change); call ahead
(c) Bring the same documents listed in Path A
(d) PPSN issued by post 5-10 working days later
§4 - DAY 3-5 / BANK ACCOUNT (AML / KYC under CJMLTF Act 2010)
Irish retail banking shrunk in 2022-2023 — Ulster Bank and KBC Bank Ireland exited the market. The three large pillar banks plus two app-only neobanks dominate:
(a) AIB (Allied Irish Banks) — student account "AIB Student Plus", current account "AIB Current Account"; branch network broad; many UCD / TCD / DCU / UCC / UL students bank here
(b) Bank of Ireland (BoI) — popular among contractors; mortgage-focused; "BoI Online Banking" with biometric login
(c) Permanent TSB (PTSB) — has aggressively grown post-KBC / Ulster exit; absorbed many ex-KBC customers; "PTSB Open24"
(d) Revolut (Lithuanian banking licence, passported) — IBAN starts LT until 2025-2026 migration to Irish-issued IBAN; widely accepted but not all employers like LT IBAN for payroll until Irish IBAN issues
(e) N26 (German banking licence, passported) — DE IBAN; same payroll caveat as Revolut
Documents required to open an Irish bank account (CJMLTF Act 2010 / Central Bank Customer Identification Regulations):
- Photo ID: passport (preferred) or IRP card
- Proof of address: utility bill, lease agreement, Revenue / DSP letter, employer letter on letterhead with Irish address (must be < 6 months old)
- PPSN (some banks ask; not strictly required by AML rules but bank policy)
- Tax residency declaration (FATCA / CRS): client will be asked to state Indian tax residency until split-year treatment kicks in
Process:
- AIB / BoI / PTSB: book in-branch appointment 1-2 weeks out; bring originals
- Revolut / N26: open via app in 10 minutes (selfie + passport); receive virtual card immediately, physical card in 5-7 working days
- Suggested strategy for [CLIENT_NAME]:
1. Open Revolut on Day 1 for immediate card use (cab fares, groceries)
2. Book AIB / BoI / PTSB appointment for Day 5-10 once proof-of-address is solid
§5 - DAY 1-3 / IRISH SIM (Vodafone / Three / Eir / Tesco Mobile)
Irish mobile operators are friendly to new arrivals; no Aadhaar / Indian KYC equivalent is needed.
(a) Vodafone — largest network coverage; "Vodafone Pay as You Go" (PAYG) on Day 1; convert to bill-pay (EUR 25-60/month) once PPSN + address are stable
(b) Three — historically strong on data; cheaper bill-pay; weaker rural coverage outside motorway corridors
(c) Eir — bundle option with broadband; less recommended for SIM-only
(d) Tesco Mobile / GoMo / 48 — virtual operators on Three / Vodafone infrastructure; very cheap PAYG (EUR 9.99-14.99/month unlimited data)
Practical:
- Buy a PAYG SIM at the airport or any Spar / Centra / SuperValu / Tesco / Lidl / Aldi on Day 1
- Keep Indian SIM in dual-SIM phone or e-SIM for OTPs (many Indian banks SMS OTP)
- Switch to bill-pay after 30 days, once PPSN issues and bank direct debit set up
§6 - DAY 5-10 / ACCOMMODATION + ADDRESS REGISTRATION
If [INITIAL_ADDRESS] is temporary (Airbnb / hotel / friend's), you have a tight runway in Dublin:
Dublin reality (mid-2026):
- 1-bed unfurnished apartment EUR 1,800-2,400/month
- Room in shared house EUR 800-1,200/month
- Daft.ie and Rent.ie are the dominant listing sites
- Most lettings require 1 month deposit + 1 month rent upfront, plus employer reference + previous landlord reference
- PPS + IRP are typically NOT required to sign a lease, but bank statement and PPSN improve negotiation
Cork / Galway / Limerick / Waterford:
- More supply than Dublin, but tightening; budget 30-40% less than Dublin
Address-dependent registrations to clear once a permanent address is in hand:
(a) Update PPSN address on MyGovID
(b) Update IRP address with ISD (or note for IRP renewal)
(c) Register for the Local Property Tax / refuse / electricity / gas in tenant's name (if responsible per lease)
(d) Update employer payroll address
(e) Register with a local GP (covered in slot ie-settlement-hse-gp-public-healthcare)
§7 - DAY 7-10 / FAMILY MEMBERS (if No is non-trivial)
For accompanying spouse on Stamp 3 (dependent):
(a) Spouse books own IRP appointment via Burgh Quay portal
(b) Spouse PPSN application (REG3 — reason: dependent of [CLIENT_NAME])
(c) Spouse cannot work on Stamp 3 without a separate work permission (some CSEP spouses can apply for Stamp 1G dependent permission with DETE; verify current Stamp 1G dependent rules)
For accompanying spouse on own Stamp 1:
(a) Spouse handles own IRP / PPSN per §2-§3 above
For accompanying child (under 16):
(a) No IRP required (under 16)
(b) PPSN is required for school enrolment, GP registration, child benefit
(c) Apply for child PPSN at Intreo (parent applies on behalf with child's passport + birth certificate)
(d) Child Benefit application to DSP once child is resident 3-6 months (verify habitual residence condition)
§8 - DAY 1-14 / WEEK-BY-WEEK SUMMARY
Day 0 (arrival): Stamp endorsement at Dublin (DUB), buy SIM at airport, taxi to [INITIAL_ADDRESS]
Day 1: Open Revolut, book IRP appointment, set up MyGovID
Day 2: Submit PPSN online (Path A) or visit Intreo (Path B)
Day 3: Book AIB / BoI / PTSB branch appointment 7-10 days out
Day 5: PPSN-related employer paperwork (sign employment contract pending PPSN, request employer-letter for bank)
Day 7: PPSN letter expected to arrive (verify postal delivery to [INITIAL_ADDRESS])
Day 10: Open pillar-bank account (AIB / BoI / PTSB) with PPSN + IRP appointment letter
Day 14: First payroll cycle / college fees due — confirm PPS is on Revenue's "My Account" (otherwise emergency tax kicks in at 40% — see slot ie-settlement-tax-revenue-first-filing)
§9 - EMERGENCY TAX RISK (cross-link to tax slot)
If [CLIENT_NAME] starts work before PPSN is on Revenue's record, the employer must apply "emergency tax" (currently Week 1 basis, Tax Credit Cert not in place):
- First 4 weeks: tax at the standard rate (20%) on full income, with no tax credits
- Weeks 5-8: full income taxed at 20%, then 40% above the cut-off, NO tax credits
- Week 9 onwards: full income taxed at 40%, no credits
Refund is given automatically once PPSN registers and the employer runs the next payroll with a valid Tax Credit Certificate. To avoid: submit PPSN within Week 1 of arrival; ask employer payroll to register on Revenue's "Revenue Online Service" (ROS) immediately on receipt of PPSN.
§10 - RED-FLAG CHECKLIST AT END OF WEEK 2
[ ] IRP appointment booked and date is within 90 days of [ARRIVAL_DATE]
[ ] PPSN allocated or application reference held
[ ] Bank account open (Revolut as bridge + pillar-bank in progress)
[ ] Irish SIM active
[ ] Permanent or transitional address with proof-of-address documents
[ ] Employer / college aware of PPSN status and Tax Credit Certificate filed
[ ] Family members registered (if No involves non-trivial dependants)
[ ] No travel outside Ireland before IRP appointment (re-entry on visa stamp pre-IRP can complicate, especially for Indian nationals requiring re-entry visa)
§11 - PRACTICAL TIPS (locally curated)
- Get a Leap Card (TFI public transport) on Day 1 at Spar / Centra / DAA airport — saves 30-40% on bus / DART / Luas vs cash fares
- Register for Revenue MyAccount (https://www.revenue.ie/en/online-services/services/register-for-an-online-service/) as soon as PPSN issues
- Save the Irish emergency number 112 / 999 (police, fire, ambulance), and ISD info line (verify current ISD phone)
- Indian Embassy Dublin: 6 Leeson Park, Dublin 6 (consular services, OCI, surrender certificate, passport renewal)
- Indian community hubs: Indian Cultural Centre Dublin, Mahatma Gandhi Hall (Blanchardstown), Hindu Cultural Centre (Cabra), Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara (Dublin 7)
OUTPUT FORMAT
Write the brief as a numbered Day 0 through Day 14 checklist, with the responsible agency named for each step, the documents needed, and a single "DONE WHEN" line per item. Highlight the IRP 90-day deadline and the PPSN-by-Week-1 imperative at the top. Use Indian-origin worked example throughout — e.g. "Aanya Sharma, from Hyderabad, landing at Dublin (DUB), moving into a shared house in Dublin".
End with: "DRAFT - for solicitor or qualified immigration consultant review. Verify against current ISD + HSE + Revenue guidance before sharing with client. IRP registration fees, Intreo PPSN procedures, and bank KYC documentation lists change frequently; confirm against irishimmigration.ie, mywelfare.ie, revenue.ie, and the relevant bank's current account-opening checklist before relying on any figure or step."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt