What are the requirements for a retirement visa
Stays longer than 3 months in Ireland require a Permission to Remain in the State. To retire in Ireland, regardless of whether you are a visa required, or non-visa required national (e.g. US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) you must first apply for a Permission to Remain in Ireland on Stamp 0 Conditions.
This application is made when you are still outside of Ireland. If your application is granted, visa required nationals must then apply for a visa to travel to and enter Ireland to take up their residence here on Stamp 0 conditions. Non-visa required nationals such as US Citizens, once their Stamp 0 permission to remain application is granted, can travel to Ireland to take up residency here.
The Department of Justice offer the following guidelines for those seeking to retire to Ireland or reside here based on their independent means:
- Recurring annual Income of at least €50,000 per year (If you are part of a couple, then your joint income should be €100,000 per year, however each application is considered on a case-by-case basis)
- Income must be from passive sources such as social security, pension, rental income etc. not from employment or self-employment
- Access to a lump sum of money to cover any sudden expenses. This lump sum should cover the cost of a house or an apartment in Ireland (a good guide sum is the average price of a house in the US, $250,000). The lump sum does not have to be liquid on the date of application, but capable of being made liquid if necessary
- You will need to provide evidence of your income. This must be presented in euros and certified by an Irish accountancy firm.
- Health Declaration from any general practitioner in Ireland or elsewhere, normally your treating physician
- Health insurance will full coverage in private hospitals in Ireland
- Police Clearance Certificate(s) to be provided as evidence of your Good Character
Why choose Ireland
- English speaking nation
- High standard of living
- Travel freely in the EU area
- Safe country with low crime rates
- Temperate climate
- Free public healthcare
- Fantastic countryside for hiking, golf etc.
How to apply for the retirement visa
To retire to or live independently in Ireland for longer than 90 days, you must first apply for your immigration permission, or Stamp 0 visa. Applications normally take 2 to 3 months to process. Our expert immigration team here at Gibson & Associates can take care of the Stamp 0 application for you.
Retirement Visa Ireland
There are probably already many reasons why you are considering retiring to Ireland such as family ties, or maybe because it’s a good base for exploring the rest of Europe, or the fact that Ireland is less of a culture shock, especially with English being the main spoken language.
But, there are other compelling reasons why you should retire in Ireland; the Island of Ireland is widely covered by rural countryside, so it is a great place to keep active if you love hiking, golf and many other outdoor activities. Although it rains quite a lot, we don’t have weather extremities, and Ireland is a very safe country to live in. Overall, Ireland is a GREAT country to come to retire!
There will be certain conditions that will make getting permission to retire here easier. If you were born in Ireland, married to an Irish citizen, or have Irish parents/grandparents you probably already have your Irish passport (if not you can find out more here) as you are entitled to Irish citizenship via descent. And you won’t need to worry about an Irish visa. The same applies if you’re EU born or you’ve EU born parents. This will make moving to Ireland relatively easy. Also, UK citizens also have the right to move to Ireland without any conditions or restrictions.
To speak with our immigration experts about applying for a Stamp 0 or Retirement Visa, complete our online enquiry form and we will get back to you.
What Happens When an Application for a retirement visa is Approved?
Our Dedicated Immigration Team

Daireann Gibson
Managing Partner

Amanda Walsh
Partner

Helen Moakley
Senior Solicitor

Kellie McLaughlin
Solicitor

Maura Kavanagh
Solicitor

Sharon Shaw
Legal Manager

Leanne Mclean
Immigration Consultant

Megan McKeon
Immigration Consultant

Aisling Harden
Senior Legal Support

Lorna Pyper
Senior Legal Support

Irene Ayaru
Senior Legal Support

Jade Mullhern
Immigration Consultant

Stacey McGrath
Legal Support

Laura Phelan
Legal Support

Kevina McFadden
Legal Support

Karley Keane
Legal Support
What our clients say
Successful visa application for a dependent family member of an EU national
My mother-in-law applied for a visa as a dependent family member of an EU national – she received a letter from the INIS to say that they wanted to reject her application.
I made an appointment to see Sharon Shaw who told me not to worry and said she would write a letter to the INIS to explain my mother-in-law’s situation.
She sent them ONE letter and within four weeks, my mother-in-law received a letter to say her application had been successful!
I would recommend Sharon to anyone who has an immigration issue. She is a real gem. Thank you so much.
Successful handling of long and complex immigration case
I have nothing but the highest praise for Gibson & Associates Immigration Solicitors – they handled a long and difficult immigration case and won. I was kept up to date on proceedings throughout.
The firm has a great team of lawyers who deal with various complex proceedings and I would personally never hesitate to use them again.
Successful application for family visa
We highly recommend Gibson & Associates Solicitors – they got my family’s visa to come to Ireland. My partner and I got married on 24th December 2015, after returning home in February 2016, I, unfortunately, had two strokes that year. After three attempts for a tourist visa, I was unable to get a visa for my family and was told that I couldn’t travel due to my condition.
After two years and eight months, we decided to contact Gibson & Associates and received help from Sharon Shaw. Within a couple of weeks, my wife and daughter received their visa, arriving in Ireland on 7th November – a day before my birthday! My family is here now for six months.
Thank you so much for your help. If you have a problem with your visa like me and my family, go to Gibson & Associates!
Tim O’Sullivan
Satisfied client returns for visa application help
I knew Sharon Shaw for years from another company. She is customer-focused and service-oriented, so when I needed visa services again, I called the number I used to have but it was forwarded to Gibson & Associates and I insisted on speaking to Sharon.
I was delighted to have Sharon’s very good customer service again – she understands her client’s story. It is worthy to mention Gillian too who is always there to speak to you in Sharon’s absence – thank you, Gillian. Also, the receptionist Karol is always ready to forward your call to your contacts.
Thank you to all. Keep up the good work.
Successful join spouse visa application
Highly recommend Gibson & Associates. I went to them for help with my husband’s join spouse visa application and they were very professional and made it so straight forward for us. Our application was successful 🙂
Case Studies
Immigration
What Is the Critical Skills Employment Permit in Ireland?
Are you looking to work and build your career in Ireland. You will need a work VISA and then a work permit! Find out more about the Critical Skills Employment Permit and how it offers a clear path to securing a job role in Ireland and what this could mean for your future!
Ignite Your Business with the Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme in Ireland
Ireland’s Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme offers non-EEA founders a fast-track to residency with just €50,000 investment. Launch your innovative business in one of Europe’s most dynamic economies and access the EU market with expert legal support.
Unlocking Opportunities with the Immigrant Investor Programme Ireland
Ireland’s Immigrant Investor Programme offered non-EEA nationals a route to residency and potential citizenship through approved investments. With minimal residency requirements, access to EU markets, and family inclusion, it was a popular choice for global investors seeking long-term opportunities in Ireland.
How to Bring Your Spouse or Partner to Ireland as a Critical Skills Employment Permit Holder (2025 Guide)
Bringing your spouse or partner to Ireland on a Critical Skills Employment Permit is straightforward with the right preparation. Our immigration team can help you secure Stamp 1G status and reunite your family with confidence.
See all our immigration blogs…




