Cost of living in Ireland for students

Ireland is not a cheap place to study, and Dublin in particular ranks among Europe's more expensive cities for rent. Budget realistically for both tuition and living costs — and remember you must prove you can cover them before you are granted permission. All figures below change over time, so confirm current amounts officially.

Proof of funds

For immigration purposes you must show you can support yourself. For a one-year course the requirement is €10,000. For courses shorter than eight months, the figure is €833 per month, capped at €6,665. These requirements were aligned across nationalities from 30 June 2025. See our visas guide for the full picture.

Tuition fees

Non-EEA students pay full international fees, which vary widely by university and programme. Qualifications sit on the National Framework of Qualifications — confirm the exact tuition for your course directly with the institution before you budget.

Day-to-day costs

Accommodation is usually the biggest expense — see our accommodation guide for campus halls, digs, and renting.
Insurance: non-EEA students must hold private medical insurance to register.
The IRP registration fee is €300, renewed annually.
Costs are typically highest in Dublin and somewhat lower in Cork, Galway and Limerick.

You can offset some costs through part-time work — see the term-time and holiday limits in our working in Ireland guide.