In This Section
Introduction
If you wish to retire to Ireland you must be financially independent and meet all conditions. You will be required to provide independent verification of your compliance with the financial conditions. This verification must be certified by an Irish accountancy firm.
The application process is explained below. People from visa required countries must apply for a D Reside visa before arriving in Ireland, and all applicants must apply for Stamp 0 before arriving in Ireland.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for a retirement permission you must be able to support yourself financially. This means that you are not entitled to access State benefits while resident here on a retirement permission.
People of independent means
For people of independent means who wish to retire to Ireland, you should have an individual income of €50,000 per year. You must also have access to a lump sum of money to cover any sudden major expenses. This lump sum should be equal to, for example, the price of a residential dwelling in the State.
Financial documentation should be presented in spreadsheet form and converted into euros. It should clearly show all income and spending each month. This must be certified by an Irish accountancy firm who has the expert knowledge to understand the format of overseas banking/accountancy documentation.
Submit an application
There are two or three steps to the process and registering as a non-EEA national, depending on your circumstances:
Step 1: Apply for permission
If you are visa required or non-visa required you must apply for permission by completing the TPER application form and sending the required documentation to:
Stamp 0 – Independent Means Section
Unit C – Domestic Residence and Permissions Division
Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2, DO2 XK70
Ireland
If your application is successful, you will be issued with a Conditional Letter of Offer and an Agreement Form from Domestic Residence and Permissions Division. This Conditional Letter of Offer is given on the condition that you meet any required visa checks and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Officer when you enter the State.
Step 2: Apply for visa (this is only necessary if you are visa required)
If you are a visa required person and have received your Conditional Letter of Offer from Domestic Residence and Permissions Division to retire to Ireland then you must contact your local visa office to apply for a visa to enter the State.
Once you have received your Conditional Letter of Offer and you have been granted the correct D-Reside visa, you may travel to the State.
Please note that entry to the State is always at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry.
Non-visa required people
If you are a non-visa required person who wishes to retire to Ireland and you meet the conditions, once you have received your Conditional Letter of Offer you may travel to the State.
Step 3: Complete the application process and register
When you arrive in the State you should send the signed Agreement Form that was sent to you with your Conditional Letter of Offer, and your passport to:
Stamp 0 – Independent means
Unit A – Domestic Residence and Permissions Division
Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2 D02 XK70
Ireland
Domestic Residence and Permissions Division will add a stamp to your passport and return it to you.
If you are granted permission and have an address in counties Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Cork or Limerick, then you must visit the registration office in Dublin or if your address is outside of the above mentioned counties, visit a local Garda station to register your permission.
Required documents
Documents required for initial application for permission
People of independent means:
Renewing your permission
If you are requesting to renew your Stamp 0 permission please complete the TPER Renewal Form. Please send your renewal application 4 months prior to the expiry of your permission to:
Stamp 0 – Renewal
Unit C – Domestic Residence and Permissions Division
Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2, DO2 XK70
Processing times
The average processing time for applications is four months. Delays can be expected when applicants do not send in all of the required documents with their original application. Applications are processed in chronological order.