Leaving Ireland

A Checklist for Individuals Planning To Leave Ireland

Transfer of Payments Abroad

You can travel abroad to another EEA country to look for work for up to 13 weeks and keep your Irish Jobseekers Benefit (this does not apply to Jobseekers Allowance).

You must be on Jobseekers Benefit for minimum of four weeks and registered with FÁS. You can apply to your local Social Welfare office for form E303 and you must present and register at the local Social Welfare office in the state where you are looking for work, within seven days of applying for the E303.

Note: If you transfer your Jobseekers Benefit payment to another country and stay abroad for longer than 13 weeks you may loose your entitlement to it if you return to Ireland. You will then have to apply for a means tested payment (Jobseekers Allowance) and the fact that you have resided outside of Ireland for a period of time may impact on you being considered Habitually Resident in Ireland.

E104 and E301

When you have received your P45 or signed off for those who are on Jobseekers payment, you should complete a form to request your Irish Social Welfare records, forms E104 and E301 IRL from local social welfare office. These forms will help you to qualify for other social payments, for example –state pension, unemployment benefit in the country you move to.

The more information/documents supplied the easier it will be to issue the E104 and E301 IRL. Applications can be downloaded they are also available from Longford Citizens Information Service.

Employment

For your own interest you should keep a record of your employment history i.e. contracts, payslips, letters from employers etc.

P60

Ensure you have P60 for each year you have worked in Ireland. This is a very important document which you must keep as you may need it to claim future entitlements such as state pension.

P45

A P45 should be issued to you when you leave your last employer. This is a statement of gross wages you have received, tax and PRSI and income levy deducted made throughout the year to date.

If you have problems in getting any of these documents from your employer Longford Citizens Information may be able to assist you by contacting your employer or revenue where relevant.

References

It is a good idea to ask employers for a reference that you can use when applying for future jobs. Also if they have an email address those future employers could make contact with them to verify information.

PPS Numbers

Retain all information on PPS Numbers for family members who have lived in Ireland. These numbers may be necessary for claiming future entitlements in the state you reside at in the future.

Revenue Commissioners

If tax has been deducted from your pay since 1st January and you are leaving the country during the tax year you may be entitled to a tax rebate. This can be claimed by completing form P50 enclosing your P45 from your last employer. If you have not already claimed tax relief for medical expenses or rent relief it is possible to claim tax back over the past four year period.

Longford Citizens Information has forms available which you can use to advise Revenue of your forwarding address.

Note:Some countries have a double taxation system therefore you may need to prove that you were explicitlyresident in Ireland during this time. Documents P60/P45 is necessary for this purpose. If you do not have these documents a letter may be obtained from Revenue Commissioners.

For more information see:

PRSI Refunds

Refunds are only made where contributions were made in error.

Child Benefit

It is important to contact Child Benefit section prior to leaving Ireland advising them of the fact that you are moving permanently to another country and the date on which you are leaving. You will need a letter from Ireland acknowledging the fact that your Child Benefit has ceased here before you can claim this payment in another state. Longford Citizens Information has forms prepared to assist with this.

Landlord-Minimum Notice

A valid notice of termination must:

  • be in writing
  • Be signed by the tenant
  • Specify the termination date (the tenant has the whole of the 24 hours of this date to vacate possession)
  • State that any issue as to the validity of the notice or the right of the tenant to serve it must be referred to the Private Residential Tenancies board within 28 days for the receipt of the notice

Notice periods vary and are subject to contract:

  • Less than 6 months 28 days notice
  • 6 months to 1 year 35 days notice
  • 1year to 2 years 42 days notice
  • 2 or more years 56 days notice

Meter readings for ESB or Gas Supplier

It is very important to read your meter and contact the supplier with this information about 10 days prior to leaving the property. You also need to request that your name is taken off the account and responsibility for the bills is passed back to the landlord.

Bank Accounts

Decide if you are going to close yourbank accounts and if not inform them of your forwarding address and that you are no longer residing in Ireland. Cancel direct debits/standing orders. Ensure that there are no outstanding loans that need to be paid off.

TV Licence

If you have a TV Licence, contact An Post to advise them that you are no longer resident at this address and liable for the TV Licence.

Medical

It is advisable to get a copy of medical records if family members have received medication or treatment while in Ireland. This should include any immunisations that your children may have received.

Birth/Marriage Certificates

These certificates will be essential in the future. Copies are available from the registration office for a small fee.

Useful Contact Details

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Central Records Section

Gandon house

Amiens Street

Dublin 1

Tel.: 00353 (01) 704 3000

Department of Social and Family Affairs

EU Records Section

Oisin House

212-213 Pearse Street

Dublin 2

Tel.: 00353 (01) 704 3000

Department of Social and Family affairs

PRSI Refunds Section

Oisin House

212-213 Pearse Street

Dublin 2

Tel.: 00353 (01) 704 3000

National Employment Rights Authority (NERA)

Government Buildings

O’Briens Road

Carlow

NERA information Service Lo-Call 1890 80 80 90

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU)

Araby House

8 North Richmond Street

Dublin 1

Tel.: 00353 (01) 856 0088

The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB)

2nd Floor, O’Connell

Bridge House

D’Olier Street

Dublin 2

Tel. 00353 (01) 6350600

Monday to Friday: 10:00a.m-1:00 p.m. &2:00p.m-4:00p.m.