Europe

Ireland

Ireland's 24-month Working Holiday Authorisation has no annual cap and processes quickly. Dublin rents are brutal; cork, Galway and Limerick are far more affordable.

Currency

EUR

1 AUD = 0.6 EUR (mid-market, 2026-05-21)

Cost of living

100% of Sydney

Working Holiday Visa for Australians

Working Holiday Authorisation

Age 18-35 | up to 24 months

Smartraveller

Check live advisory

Emergency: 112 (also 999)

Working Holiday Visa

Scheme: Working Holiday Authorisation
Visa class: WHA
Eligible age: 18-35
Max stay: 24 months

Source: www.dfa.ie

Tourist or short-stay entry

Visa-free entry

Up to 3 months. Work rights: none.

Australians do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days.

Source: www.irishimmigration.ie

Highlights

Same English-speaking advantage as the UK, with EU-style café and pub culture.
24-month duration is double the typical WHV.
Strong tech (Dublin), pharma (Cork), agri-food and hospitality sectors hiring WHV-holders.
30-day visa-free travel through the entire Schengen Area from Dublin.

Watch outs

Dublin's rental market is one of the tightest in Europe; expect to flat-share.
PPS number (tax) takes 4-12 weeks; employers can withhold emergency-tax rates until issued.
Healthcare is not free on a WHA; private travel insurance is mandatory.
Northern Ireland is part of the UK and needs a separate YMS visa to work there.

Money tips

Revolut and N26 work well; an Irish AIB or Bank of Ireland account is harder to open as a WHV-holder.
USC (Universal Social Charge) sits on top of income tax; check your payslip net.
Cost of milk and meat is high; produce markets like Moore Street are cheap.
Public-transport Leap Card knocks 20% off fares versus paper tickets.

Typical costs (AUD)

Hostel bed per night: $55
Budget meal: $25
Mid-range meal: $45
Beer (bar): $10
Public transport day pass: $12

Indicative only. Tourist-zone prices are usually 50-100% higher than local prices.

Practical basics

Power plug: Type G (three-pin)
Drives on: Left (same as AU)
Emergency number: 112 (also 999)

Sources

Last updated 2026-05-21.