Ireland is one of the most expensive countries to live in, ranking 22 in the world. It is estimated that the monthly cost of living in Ireland for international students is 1,478 EUR (1.30 lakhs INR), excluding the tuition fees of the universities. Thus it is highly recommended that students are aware of all the expenses involved, and prepare a budget beforehand to ensure a smooth journey ahead.
Majority of the universities in Ireland offer on-campus accommodation which are essentially apartments for 4-8 students with private bedrooms and shared living, dining, and bathroom spaces. For students opting off-campus accommodation, the monthly rent of apartments is around 1,244-1,497 EUR (1.09 lakhs-1.31 lakhs INR). Apart from the rent, an international student can expect monthly expenditure of 897 EUR (79,000 INR)
To reduce the overall cost of living in Ireland, international students can avail various scholarships offered by the Irish universities. They can also cover their expenses by working in part-time jobs such as Sales assistant, Healthcare assistant, Community support worker, Driver, and Tuition teacher. Students with financial needs can also take advantage of various student loans, which they can easily repay after finding a job in Ireland.
Off-Campus Housing Cost in Ireland
The estimated monthly off-campus accommodation cost in Ireland is around 1,478 EUR (1.30 lakhs INR) for international students. Some of the related accommodation expenses are as follows:
| Expense Type | Cost (EUR) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent for 85 m2 (900 sq ft) furnished accommodation | 2,057 | 1.81 lakhs |
| Rent for 45 m2 (480 sq ft) furnished studio | 1,289 | 1.13 lakhs |
| Utilities | 170 | 14,995 |
| Laundry | 10 | 882 |
| Internet | 45 | 3,969 |
| Cleaning/Hygiene (hourly rate) | 17 | 1,499 |
| Shopping | 76 | 6,702 |
| Entertainment | 94 | 8,289 |
| Groceries | 247 | 21,779 |
Cost of Meals in Ireland
International students can expect an estimated monthly expenditure of 280 EUR (24,700) on meals and groceries. The detailed breakdown of the same is given in the table below:
| Expense Type | Cost (EUR) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 liter milk | 1.40 | 100 |
| 1 kg tomatoes | 3.34 | 294 |
| 1 kg apples | 2.31 | 203 |
| 1 kg potatoes | 1.32 | 116 |
| 1 dozen (12) eggs | 4.53 | 399 |
| 1 kg local cheese | 7.95 | 701 |
| Bread | 1.53 | 134 |
| Fast food combo meal | 9 | 793 |
| Basic lunchtime meal | 16 | 1,411 |
Transportation Cost in Ireland
After finding a suitable accommodation in Ireland, one also needs to plan a certain transportation system for various activities such as reaching the university, going grocery shopping, and other leisure activities. The various modes of transportation in Ireland are Buses, Trains, Trams, Ferries and Taxis. Some of the travel related expenses are tabulated below:
| Expense Type | Cost (EUR) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Single bus ticket | 2.40 | 211 |
| Monthly bus pass | 104.35 | 9,170 |
| Taxi Start | 4.22 | 372 |
| Taxi journey (1km) | 1.50 | 132 |
Students using the public transportation system in Ireland can also get a Student Leap Card, which is a national student travel card. It provides discounted rates (up to 50% off) for Go-Ahead Ireland, Dublin Bus, Luas, Bus Éireann, DART and Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann), as well as other private transport operators.
Medical Cost in Ireland
Some of the health-related expenses in Ireland are given below:
| Expense Type | Cost (EUR) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cold medicine (for a week) | 5.15 | 454 |
| 1 box of antibiotics | 25 | 2,204 |
| 15-minute visit to a private doctor | 61 | 5,378 |
| Health Insurance (monthly) | 50.32 | 4,437 |
The best course of action for non-EU students is to arrange private medical insurance, which guarantees that they will have a choice of hospital, physician, and hospital accommodation in the event of illness.
Personal Expenses in Ireland
Personal expenses in Ireland include everything from health and fitness to daily essentials, snacks, and personal hygiene products. A list of the various miscellaneous costs related to living in Ireland is provided below:
| Expense Type | Cost (EUR) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | 7 | 617 |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 2.91 | 256 |
| Toothpaste | 2.77 | 244 |
| Standard haircut | 20 | 1,763 |
| 1-month gym membership | 49 | 4,321 |
The personal expenses also include the cost of clothing. The table below gives a certain idea for the same:
| Expense Type | Cost (EUR) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 pair of jeans | 71 | 6,261 |
| 1 summer dress | 38 | 3,350 |
| 1 pair of sport shoes | 96 | 8,465 |
| 1 pair of business shoes | 101 | 8,906 |
Cost of Living in Ireland by City
Although the estimated cost of living in Ireland, including rent, is around 1,478 EUR (1.30 lakhs INR), the overall cost of living depends on the city you decide to live in. Houses and other facilities in Dublin can be more expensive than other cities such as Cork, Limerick, and Galway.
| City Name | Accommodation (EUR) | Food (EUR) | Transport (EUR) |
| Dublin | 1,425-2,167 | 263 | 100 |
| Galway | 819-1,103 | 264 | 65 |
| Cork | 917-1,134 | 228 | 63 |
| Limerick | 649-1,066 | 233 | 71 |
How to reduce the overall cost of living in Ireland?
- Scholarships: International students can take advantage of the various scholarships available in the universities of Ireland which can help them cover their tuition fees and reduce a certain amount of financial burden.
- Part-Time Jobs: Students can cover their expenses by working in part-time jobs while studying in Ireland. They are allowed to work 20 hours per week during school days and 40 hours per week during holidays. Some of the most common part-time jobs opted by students are Sales assistant, Healthcare assistant, Community support worker, Driver, and Tuition teacher
- Traveling Costs: Students can reduce their traveling expenses by opting for public transport, which is much cheaper than traveling by taxis. They can also get a special student-only Leap Card which can give them almost 50% off on the normal rates. Opting for residence nearer to the university can also significantly reduce the traveling costs.
- Accommodation: On-campus accommodation or university hostels can prove to be almost 50% less expensive than off-campus housing. The expenses related to accommodation are also affected by the location. Houses in Dublin can cost much more than other cities such as Cork, Limerick, and Galway.
FAQs
Ques.Is it cheaper to live in Ireland or UK?
Ans.It is cheaper to live in UK as compared to Ireland because of following reasons:
- Consumer Prices in UK (without rent) are 12.79% lower than in Ireland
- Consumer Prices in UK (with rent) are 19.42% lower than in Ireland
- Rent in UK is 30.89% cheaper than in Ireland
- Cost of groceries is cheaper in UK by 14.26%
- The local purchasing power in UK is 19.98% higher than in Ireland
Ques.How much do you need to live comfortably in Ireland?
Ans.You must have a budget of at least around 1,478 EUR (1.30 lakhs INR) per month to live comfortably in Ireland
Ques.Is it expensive to live in Ireland?
Ans.Ireland is one of the most expensive countries to live in, ranking 22 in the world. It is estimated that the monthly cost of living in Ireland for international students is 1,478 EUR (1.30 lakhs INR), excluding the tuition fees of the universities.
Ques.Is food expensive in Ireland?
Ans.Ireland is ranked 4th most expensive country among the 36 participating EU countries in terms of the total household final consumption expenditure (food, beverages and tobacco)
Ques.Is Healthcare free in Ireland?
Ans.Everyone ordinarily resident of Ireland, as well as some visitors, are entitled to a variety of public health services that are either free or significantly discounted. If you have lived in Ireland for at least a year or plan to do so for at least a year, you are considered ordinarily resident.
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