First 30 Days in Ireland: Student Survival Guide
Your first 30 days in Ireland can feel exciting, confusing and very busy.
You may be starting a course, learning a new city and organising important documents at the same time. You may also be wondering where to buy bedding, how to get to college, which supermarket to use and how to meet people.
You do not need to solve everything on day one.
The best way to settle in is to focus on the basics first: a safe place to stay, food, transport, essential documents and a few familiar faces.
This guide explains what to prioritise during your first month in Ireland as an international student.
Your first 30 days in Ireland: a quick checklist
During your first month, try to:
- Confirm your accommodation and buy only the essentials
- Learn your route to college and nearby shops
- Decide whether public transport, cycling or both suit your routine
- Complete your college registration
- Check whether you need to register your immigration permission
- Apply for a PPS Number if you need one
- Set up your phone and bank account
- Find a GP and understand your health insurance
- Create a simple food and weekly spending routine
- Meet people outside your classroom
You do not need to complete every task in the same order. Your situation will depend on your nationality, course, city and type of accommodation.
Days 1 to 3: make your first place liveable
Before trying to organise every document, make sure you can sleep, eat, wash and get to class.
Check what is already included in your accommodation. Some student rooms have furniture and basic kitchen equipment. Others may include only a bed, desk and wardrobe.
Look at your room properly and speak to your flatmates before shopping. This will help you avoid buying things that are already available.
Your first shopping list
Start with the basics:
- Bedding, a pillow and towels
- A plate, bowl, mug, glass and cutlery
- One pot and one pan
- Food containers
- Washing-up liquid, a sponge and bin bags
- Laundry detergent
- A phone charger and plug adaptor, if needed
- Food for your first few days
For larger home essentials, IKEA Ireland sells items for kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, study areas and storage. Delivery, collection and store options vary by location, so check what is available before travelling.
Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi and SuperValu are common supermarket options in Ireland. The products available can vary by location and branch.
Choose a supermarket that is easy to reach from your accommodation. A lower price is not always a saving if you need to pay for a taxi to carry everything home.
Days 4 to 7: learn how to get around
You do not need to understand every transport route immediately. Begin with the journeys you will use most often:
- Home to college
- Home to your nearest supermarket
- College to the city centre
- Your route home after an evening class or event
Learning these regular routes during your first 30 days in Ireland can make daily life feel much easier.
Use Google Maps or your local transport operator’s website to plan your journey.
Give yourself extra time during your first week. Missing a stop or taking the wrong bus is a normal part of learning a new city.
Consider a TFI Leap Card
A TFI Leap Card can provide lower fares than paying cash on participating public transport services.
The correct card depends partly on your age:
- People aged 19 to 25 can apply for a Young Adult TFI Leap Card.
- Eligible full-time students aged 16 to 18 or 26 and over can apply for a Student TFI Leap Card.
- International students can qualify for the Student card if they meet the same study requirements.
The main Student TFI Leap Card eligibility page currently requires at least 15 hours of classes or training per week and a course lasting at least six months or 25 weeks. Supporting documents may be required.
Check the latest eligibility requirements before applying.
Should you buy a bicycle?
A bicycle can be useful if you live close to college and have a reasonably safe route. However, do not buy one immediately simply because cycling appears cheaper.
Test your route first. Consider the distance, hills, weather, traffic, cycle lanes and where you can secure the bicycle.
Dublinbikes operates in Dublin. TFI Bikes operates public bike-sharing schemes in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. These services can help you decide whether cycling suits your routine before buying a bicycle.
If you buy a bicycle, budget for a strong lock and working lights. Wearing a helmet is also strongly recommended. Secure the frame to a proper bicycle stand rather than locking only a wheel.
Complete your college registration
Your college can be one of your most useful sources of support during your first month.
Complete your registration as soon as possible. Collect your student card, confirm your timetable and find out where to get help.
Ask your college about:
- Orientation events
- Student societies
- International student support
- Academic writing or English-language support
- Library access
- Careers and part-time work support
- Counselling and mental health services
- Campus healthcare
Save the names and contact details of useful services before you need them.
Check your immigration requirements
Immigration requirements depend on your nationality, course and permission.
Students from outside the EU, UK and Switzerland who plan to remain in Ireland for more than 90 days generally need to register their immigration permission. Follow the instructions that apply to your circumstances and complete the process within the required period.
Registration arrangements and document requirements can change. Check the current information from and ask your college’s international office if you need help.
Can you work on Stamp 2?
Eligible students with Stamp 2 permission can normally work in casual employment for:
- Up to 20 hours per week during term time
- Up to 40 hours per week during the permitted holiday periods
The current permitted holiday periods are June to September and 15 December to 15 January.
These working rights apply to Stamp 2, not Stamp 2A. Your course and individual immigration permission must meet the relevant conditions.
Always check the conditions on your own permission before accepting work.
Keep a record of appointment dates, registration requirements and the expiry date of your permission.
Week 2: organise your address, PPS Number and basic services
Once you know where you are living and how you will travel, start working through your essential administration.
Understand your proof of address
Proof of address is often required when applying for services in Ireland.
An organisation may accept a rental agreement, utility bill, official letter or another recent document showing your name and current address. However, each organisation may have different rules.
If you live in student accommodation or a shared home, ask your accommodation provider or landlord what document they can provide. Your college may also be able to issue a letter confirming your address in some circumstances.
Keep digital and printed copies, but store them securely because they contain personal information.
Apply for a PPS Number if you need one
A Personal Public Service Number, usually called a PPS Number or PPSN, is a reference number used to access certain public services in Ireland.
You may need one when you start work or access a service that requires it. You do not need to apply simply because someone says everyone should have one.
To apply online, you generally need:
- A basic or verified MyGovID account
- Proof of identity
- Proof of your Irish address
- Evidence explaining why you need a PPS Number
Documents used as proof of address normally need to be recent. Requirements may differ if you cannot provide a standard document in your own name.
Set up your phone and bank account
A local phone number can make daily life easier. You may need one for college messages, delivery updates, job applications and appointments.
Compare prepaid and contract plans based on coverage, data allowance, price and contract length. A prepaid option may be simpler when you first arrive.
When choosing a bank or online financial provider, check:
- Monthly or transaction fees
- Cash withdrawal options
- International transfer costs
- Mobile banking features
- Deposit protection and regulation
- The documents required to open an account
Identification and proof of address are commonly requested, but requirements vary between providers. Some may also ask for evidence that you are a student.
Do not send identity documents through an unofficial link or to an unverified person. If you are unsure which services other international students use, ask your college support team.
Week 3: build a food and spending routine
Your first month is a useful time to learn what daily life actually costs.
Write down your spending on:
- Rent
- Food
- Transport
- Phone
- Laundry
- Course materials
- Social activities
- Healthcare
- Household items
- Emergency expenses
Try to choose one main supermarket and one nearby backup shop. This makes comparing prices easier and can reduce spending on convenience food.
You do not need to cook complicated meals. Choose a few breakfasts, lunches and dinners that use some of the same ingredients.
For example, you could plan meals around oats, eggs, rice, pasta, vegetables, fruit, yoghurt and one or two sources of protein. Adapt your list to your budget, dietary requirements and cooking facilities.
Check whether your college has affordable meal options, a student pantry or emergency financial support. Some students may also find community food-sharing services useful.
Week 4: take care of your health and build community
Find a GP before you urgently need one
A GP is a general practitioner. This is usually the first doctor you contact for a non-emergency health concern in Ireland.
GP practices are private businesses, and availability varies. You may need to contact several practices before finding one that is accepting new patients.
The HSE provides an online service that allows you to search for GPs by location. Your college may also have an on-campus or affiliated health service.
Check what your health insurance covers before making an appointment. Do not assume that GP appointments, prescriptions or other medical services are free.
For a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 112 or 999.
Meet people before isolation becomes difficult
Feeling lonely after moving abroad is common. It can be especially noticeable when you are tired, busy or worried about money.
Try to make one small social plan each week:
- Attend a college society event
- Join a language exchange
- Go to a community event
- Ask a classmate for coffee
- Join a sports club
- Volunteer for a local project
- Explore a new part of your city with someone
You do not need a large group of friends immediately. Seeing one or two familiar faces regularly can make a new place feel more comfortable.
Understand your housing arrangement
Students in Ireland can live under different housing arrangements. These may include:
- A standard private tenancy
- Student-specific accommodation
- A room in an owner-occupied home, sometimes called digs
- A licence arrangement
- Short-term accommodation
Your rights and responsibilities depend on the type of arrangement you have. Being a student does not automatically make a private rental “student-specific accommodation”.
Student-specific accommodation falls within the remit of the Residential Tenancies Board and gives residents many of the same protections as private tenants, although some rules differ. If you rent a room in your landlord’s own home, different protections may apply.
Read your agreement before signing it. Keep copies of:
- The agreement
- Rent and deposit receipts
- An inventory
- Photographs from the day you moved in
- Important messages with the landlord or provider
Do not pay a deposit for a property you have not viewed or properly verified. If you are unsure about your agreement, contact your college accommodation office or check the official guidance from the Residential Tenancies Board.
Finding accommodation can be especially difficult for international students, so start early and verify every listing carefully.
You do not need a perfect first month
Your first 30 days in Ireland are not about becoming completely settled.
They are about building a base: somewhere safe to sleep, a way to get to college, food in your kitchen, the right documents, a manageable budget and a few people you can talk to.
Some tasks will take longer than expected. Plans may also change as you learn more about your course, city and daily routine.
Give yourself time. Each route you learn, task you complete and person you meet can make Ireland feel a little more familiar.
