Nursing in Ireland: Frequently Asked Questions for EU Nurses
Considering working as a nurse in Ireland?
Moving to Ireland for a nursing position is a major decision. EU\-trained nurses considering Ireland often have questions about NMBI registration, eligibility, employment, salaries, accommodation, taxation and relocating to Ireland.
Profco (Professional Connections) supports eligible EU nurses throughout the Irish recruitment journey. Here are answers to some of the questions nurses frequently ask when considering nursing jobs in Ireland.
Can an EU\-Trained Nurse Work in Ireland?
Yes. Nurses who trained in another EU country can apply to have their professional qualifications recognised and register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
You must be appropriately registered with NMBI before practising as a nurse in Ireland.
The exact registration pathway depends on your nursing qualification and circumstances.
Do EU Nurses Need a Work Permit to Work in Ireland?
If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country, you normally do not need an Irish employment permit to work in Ireland.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can work in Ireland without an employment permit and can travel to Ireland without a visa. You will need a valid passport or national identity card.
It is important to distinguish between your nationality and where you completed your nursing qualification. An EU nursing qualification does not, by itself, give a non\-EU citizen the same immigration rights as an EU/EEA citizen.
Profco will advise you if immigration or employment permit requirements need to be considered as part of your application.
Do I Need to Register With NMBI?
Yes.
All nurses and midwives practising professionally in Ireland must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
For nurses qualified outside Ireland, the process generally involves two stages:
1. Recognition of your professional qualification
2. Registration with NMBI
Do not assume that holding nursing registration in another EU country automatically means that you can begin working as a registered nurse in Ireland.
Are EU Nursing Qualifications Automatically Recognised in Ireland?
Not every application follows exactly the same route.
NMBI assesses applications according to the applicable European professional qualifications rules. Some EU\-qualified nurses may come under an automatic recognition pathway, while others may require a more detailed assessment.
Your individual qualification, country of training and nursing division will determine the pathway applicable to you.
Should I Move to Ireland Before My NMBI Registration Is Approved?
We strongly recommend waiting until your professional registration position is clear before making irreversible relocation decisions.
NMBI advises overseas applicants not to move to Ireland or leave their existing employment based simply on the expectation that an application for registration will be successful.
This is particularly important when arranging accommodation, resigning from your current position or making other significant financial commitments.
Do I Need IELTS or OET to Register as a Nurse in Ireland?
English-language requirements depend on your individual NMBI registration pathway and circumstances.
Applicants who are subject to NMBI's English-language requirements will need to demonstrate the required level of English-language competence.
Do not book an English-language examination simply because another nurse was required to take one. Check the requirements that apply to your own NMBI registration application.
Can Profco Complete My NMBI Registration for Me?
No. Your NMBI account and application are personal to you.
NMBI requires applicants to upload their own registration documentation and states that this should not be done by a third party. Your [MyNMBI](https://my.nmbi.ie/) login credentials should therefore not be shared with a recruitment agency or anyone else.
Profco can provide guidance and help you understand the recruitment process, but you remain responsible for your own NMBI application, documentation and declarations.
What Nursing Experience Do I Need to Work in Ireland?
Experience requirements depend on the individual hospital, position and nursing speciality.
For many positions recruited by Profco, hospitals are seeking nurses with relevant, recent post-registration clinical experience in the area in which they will be employed.
For specialist positions, the hospital may also require a specific amount of experience in that speciality, additional qualifications or other clinical competencies.
Profco assesses applicants against the requirements of the individual vacancy and hospital.
Which Nursing Specialities Are Available in Ireland?
Vacancies depend on the current requirements of our client hospitals.
Opportunities may arise in areas such as:
- Medical and surgical nursing
- Theatre Scrub, Recovery (PACU) and Anaesthetic Nurses
- Emergency nursing
- Intensive care and critical care
- Oncology
- Cardiology
- Renal nursing
- Paediatrics
- Endoscopy
- Specialist nursing roles
Availability changes, so nurses should check Profco's current Ireland vacancies rather than assume that a particular speciality is always recruiting.
What Are Nursing Salaries in Ireland?
Nursing salaries depend on the employer, position, experience and any applicable salary scale.
Additional earnings may be available for nights, Sundays, public holidays, overtime or other premium working arrangements, depending on the employer and conditions of employment.
Always check the salary and employment package attached to the specific vacancy for which you are applying. View our page Nursing Salaries and Benefits in Ireland.
What Are Nursing Working Hours in Ireland?
Working hours and shift patterns depend on the hospital, department and employment contract.
A full\-time working week in the public health service is commonly 37.5 hours for nursing and midwifery roles. Hours in private hospitals and individual positions may vary.
Hospital nurses commonly work rostered shifts, which may include long shifts as well as early, late and night duties. Rosters can include weekends and public holidays, depending on the hospital and clinical area.
Always check the contracted hours and shift arrangements stated in the individual vacancy and employment contract.
What Benefits Are Available?
Benefits vary between hospitals and positions.
Depending on the vacancy, the employment package may include benefits such as private health insurance, pension arrangements, professional development support and other employee benefits.
Positions recruited by Profco include a welcome or relocation-related benefit.
Will the Hospital Provide Accommodation?
This depends on the individual hospital and vacancy.
Accommodation in Dublin is in high demand, and internationally recruited nurses should start researching accommodation well before relocating.
Some employers may provide relocation or accommodation\-related assistance, but candidates should not assume that hospital accommodation is included unless this is specifically stated in their employment package.
Can My Family Move to Ireland With Me?
For EU/EEA citizens, European free\-movement rules can make relocating to Ireland considerably more straightforward.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who meet the applicable residence conditions can live in Ireland, and eligible family members may also have rights to accompany or join them.
Different requirements can apply when a family member is not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, and a visa or other immigration procedure may be required.
Always check the immigration requirements applicable to each individual family member before travelling.
What Is a PPS Number and Will I Need One?
A Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) is a unique reference number used when dealing with Irish public services, including Revenue.
If you are starting your first job in Ireland and do not already have a PPSN, you will need to apply for one.
You should also register your employment with Revenue. Completing these steps correctly is important because otherwise Emergency Tax may be deducted from your salary.
Will I Pay Tax and PRSI in Ireland?
If you work in Ireland, deductions from your salary can include Income Tax, PRSI and the Universal Social Charge (USC), depending on your circumstances.
Workers in Ireland pay PRSI contributions under the Irish social insurance system.
When starting your first job in Ireland, it is important to obtain your PPSN, set up Revenue myAccount and register your employment so that the appropriate tax credits and rate bands can be applied.
Can I Use My EU Driving Licence in Ireland?
A full driving licence issued by another EU Member State is recognised for use in Ireland.
If you intend to bring a car to Ireland, separate Irish rules may apply to vehicle registration, insurance and Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), so these should be checked before relocating with a vehicle.
In Dublin, many nurses choose to use public transport rather than drive, particularly when they live and work close to Luas, DART or bus services.
What About Healthcare When I Move to Ireland?
People who are ordinarily resident in Ireland may be entitled to a range of publicly funded or subsidised healthcare services. Ireland also has an extensive private healthcare sector.
Our client hospitals nursing employment packagesinclude private health insurance as an employee benefit. Check the individual vacancy and employment package to see what is included.
Do I Need to Resign From My Current Job Before Applying?
No.
You can begin researching suitable Irish nursing opportunities while continuing to work in your current position.
However, if you require NMBI recognition and registration, you should take account of NMBI's guidance regarding applying for nursing positions before a registration decision has been issued.
Do not resign simply because you have submitted an NMBI application. Your professional registration, employment offer, notice period and eventual commencement date all need to be considered when planning your move.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Nursing Job in Ireland?
To get started, register or sign in to MyProfco] and choose one of the following options:
- Upload your current CV or résumé.
- Create a new CV by completing the required sections on the platform.
Your CV should clearly show your:
- Nursing qualification and country of training
- Professional nursing registration
- NMBI registration status, if you have already applied
- Full employment history with dates
- Current nursing speciality
- Relevant recent clinical experience
Your Profco recruiter can then assess your experience against suitable current vacancies and advise you about the additional documents required