MOVING TO IRELAND & YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
ENTITLEMENTS
Rules
| How
to apply | Where
to apply
INFORMATION
If you are thinking of coming to Ireland to live, work,
study, retire, etc., it is important for you to be aware
of the social
security system in Ireland.
There may be some significant differences between the system
in Ireland and your home country so it will be worthwhile
to familiarise yourself with the system in advance. Ireland
has social security agreements with all other EU/European
Economic Area (EEA) countries. In addition, Ireland has
Bilateral Social Security Agreements with:
When you come to Ireland, you will need a PPS Number (Personal
Public Service Number). This number is a unique personal
identification number that is essential for applying for
state benefits and services in Ireland.
If you do not have a PPS Number, you will need to apply
for one at your local Social Welfare Office. You will need
to bring proof of identity in order to apply for the number.
You can find details of how
to apply for your PPS number and the type of proof of identity
required here.
From 1 May 2004, there has been a change to the way in
which you may qualify for social assistance payments in
Ireland. Read
more about new residency requirements for social assistance
payments in Ireland here.
RULES
If you are from a country covered by EU Regulations, you
are entitled to apply for the same benefits and services
as an Irish person.
If you do not have enough social insurance contributions
from another country and/or Ireland, you may qualify for
an assistance-based payment that is relevant to your circumstances.
Assistance-based payments do not relate to your social insurance
record. Instead, the Department of Social and Family Affairs
(which is responsible for the administration of the social
security system in Ireland) examines all your sources of
income. If your income is below a certain amount, you may
qualify for a payment appropriate to your needs.
If you have come from a country with which Ireland has
a Bilateral Social Security Agreement, your pension rights
from the other country are protected when you move to Ireland.
You may be able to combine your insurance records from Ireland
and the appropriate country in order to qualify for a pension.
It is possible to have a pension from Ireland and one or
all of the other countries.
HOW TO APPLY
If you wish to apply for social security benefits in Ireland,
you will need to visit your local
social welfare office. Staff there will be able to assist
you in identifying which payment will be appropriate to
your needs. If your social insurance record in another country
needs to be accessed, they may apply on your behalf.
If you are coming from a country covered by EU regulations
(i.e., an EU/EEA country), you should bring forms E301 and
E104 with you. These forms are available at the relevant
social security agency in the country you are coming from
and provide details of your social insurance record.
Before coming to Ireland, you should check with the local
social security office in the country you are residing in
as to the appropriate documentation to bring with you.
WHERE TO APPLY
Contact
information for your local social welfare office in Ireland
is available here or from Social Welfare Information
Services at (01) 704 3000.
Information relating to International Records is available
from:
International Records Section
Social Welfare Services Office
Floor 2
Oisin House
Pearse Street
Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 7043 000 or (01) 673 2329
Information relating to your social insurance record in
Ireland is available from:
Central Records Section
Gandon House
Amiens Street
Dublin 1
Tel: (01) 704 3000
(Source:
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/
moving_to_ireland_and_your_social_security_entitlements.html?search=social+security)
