Moving to Ireland & Buying Property

In most cases, yes. There is no requirement to be an Irish citizen or resident to buy property in Ireland. If you are relying on a mortgage, lenders may have additional criteria for non-resident borrowers, and that can affect timelines and documentation.

No. Property ownership and immigration permission are separate. If you intend to live in Ireland, you should ensure you have the appropriate immigration permission for your circumstances before you make long-term plans.

In Ireland, an agreed offer is not usually legally binding on its own. The transaction becomes legally binding when contracts are signed and exchanged, and the contract deposit is paid in accordance with the contract.

Timelines vary depending on the property, the quality of the title documentation, whether there is a chain, and whether you are getting a mortgage. Many purchases are completed in weeks, but delays can arise, particularly where there are title issues, planning issues, or lender conditions to satisfy. We will give you a realistic view of timing once we have details of the property and your circumstances.

Key checks include title investigation, rights and burdens affecting the property, boundaries and mapping, planning permissions and compliance documentation, and standard conveyancing searches. Our team handle all these checks; however, you will also need to arrange an independent survey or engineer’s report.

Stamp duty is a tax payable on certain property transfers in Ireland. For residential property, the rate depends on the purchase price, and higher rates apply above certain thresholds. Different rules can apply in specific scenarios, such as bulk acquisitions of apartments, and non-residential property is subject to a different rate. We will confirm the applicable rate for your specific purchase and handle the filing and payment process as part of the conveyancing transaction.

In practice, you will usually need an Irish tax reference number to complete the stamp duty filing process. For individuals, this is typically a PPS number. If you are moving from abroad, it is sensible to plan for this early, as it can take time to obtain, depending on your circumstances. We can explain what is required and when it is needed.

Yes, in many cases. We regularly act for overseas clients. We can progress the transaction by email, phone, and video call, and we can guide you on signing and witnessing requirements. Some documents may need original signatures and secure courier delivery, depending on the document type and the lender’s requirements.

Typical costs can include legal fees, outlays (such as searches and registration fees), stamp duty, and moving-related costs. If you are buying an apartment, you may also need to budget for management company fees and service charges. We will provide a clear estimate of our fees and the usual outlays at the start.

Yes. New builds often involve additional documentation, a different contract structure, stage payments in some cases, and specific completion requirements from the developer. We can advise you on the key points to watch for, and we will guide you through the process.

Yes. Auction purchases usually require legal due diligence in advance, as the purchase can become binding quickly once the auction ends. We can review the legal pack, advise you on risks, and help you decide whether it is appropriate to bid.

Yes. Buy-to-let purchases and company purchases can raise additional tax and structuring considerations. We can advise on the legal process, and where appropriate, we can liaise with tax advisers so that your purchase is structured correctly.

We can assist anyone from any country, but we often deal with clients moving to Ireland from the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK.