6 Things to Know Before Moving to Ireland as an American

Written by Barry Brosnan

Increasing numbers of Americans are moving to Ireland for a variety of reasons. From career opportunities and retirement planning to family ties and the appeal of an English-speaking country with close links to the UK and Europe, Ireland continues to attract a growing number of US citizens. Whether you are considering a relocation or are already living in Ireland as a US-connected person, here are six important things to bear in mind:

1. Plan Well in Advance

• As with any move abroad, it is crucial to plan ahead and seek tax, investment, and legal advice before becoming subject to Irish taxation.
• It is highly recommended to review investments, US retirement accounts, trusts, and other financial arrangements to understand how they may be taxed and treated in Ireland.
• Taking pro-active steps before the move can help ensure assets are structured efficiently and support a smooth transition.

2. Understand Irish Residence, Domicile and the Remittance Basis

Before implementing any planning strategies, it is important to understand how Irish residence and domicile rules operate.

• Irish tax residence is based on a day-count test. If you are present in Ireland for 183 days or more in a single tax year, or for 280 days over two consecutive tax years with at least 30 days in each year, you will generally be considered Irish tax resident.
• In broad terms, Irish residents are subject to Irish taxation on their worldwide income and gains.
• However, if you are not considered domiciled in Ireland, you may not be subject to Irish tax on certain income and gains arising outside Ireland, including on US-based assets.
• Domicile broadly refers to your permanent home. Expats moving to Ireland who were not born in Ireland and who do not intend for Ireland to become their permanent home may benefit from Ireland’s remittance basis of taxation.
• Under the remittance basis, foreign income and gains may not be subject to Irish taxation unless they are remitted, or brought, into Ireland, provided accounts are structured correctly.

3. Structure Your US Investment Accounts Efficiently

Once you understand how the remittance basis operates, attention should turn to the structure of your investment accounts.

• To benefit from the remittance basis rules in Ireland, it is important to structure brokerage and taxable investment accounts correctly, separating income earned on non-Irish assets from capital.
• Capital accumulated before becoming Irish resident can generally be brought into Ireland without triggering Irish tax.
• Provided US income such as dividends and interest is not remitted to Ireland, it may avoid Irish taxation, which is often higher than equivalent US tax rates.

4. Review Your Investments Before You Move

With the right account structure in place, it is important to review the underlying investments themselves.

• It is recommended to seek Irish tax advice on the underlying investments held in brokerage accounts, including US mutual funds, US-listed ETFs, individual stocks, municipal bonds, and other investment holdings.
• It may be advantageous to review or  restructure certain US investments before becoming Irish resident and while only subject to US tax rules.
• US taxpayers should be particularly cautious when investing in non-US mutual funds and ETFs. The IRS can apply punitive tax treatment to these investments, known as Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs), making them inefficient for many American investors.

5. Review Your US Retirement Accounts

US retirement accounts often require separate consideration, as their Irish tax treatment can differ significantly from that of other investments.

• The Irish tax treatment of pensions can differ significantly from the US tax treatment of retirement accounts.
• It is strongly recommended that Americans seek Irish tax advice on their US retirement accounts before relocating.
• Understanding the interaction between the US and Irish tax systems in advance can help avoid unexpected tax consequences later.

6. Consider the Pros and Cons of Life in Ireland

Tax and financial planning are important considerations, but they are only part of the picture when relocating internationally.

• Ireland continues to attract growing numbers of Americans. According to Ireland’s Central Statistics Office (CSO), approximately 9,600 people relocated from the United States to Ireland during the year ending April 2025, underscoring the country’s growing appeal among US citizens.¹

For many Americans, the attractions of life in Ireland include:

• Beautiful countryside, dramatic coastlines and a strong connection to nature
• A milder, cooler climate than many parts of the US
• A safe and politically stable environment
• Easy access to both the UK and mainland Europe
• The familiarity and convenience of living in an English-speaking country

However, there are also some practical considerations to bear in mind:

• Winters can be dark, wet and relatively long
• Housing costs can be high, particularly in and around major cities
• US retirement accounts may not always receive favourable tax treatment in Ireland, making advance planning especially important.

A move to Ireland can be both professionally and personally rewarding. By planning ahead and understanding the cross-border implications, you can position yourself to make the most of the opportunities Ireland has to offer.

The Legal Stuff

• The information contained herein is subject to copyright with all rights reserved.  The document may not be copied, forwarded or otherwise distributed, in whole or in part, to any other party without our written consent.
• Nothing in this document constitutes investment, tax or any other type of advice and should not be construed as such.
• MASECO is not a tax specialist and we recommend that anyone considering investing seeks their own tax advice.
• The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of MASECO as a whole or any part thereof.
• This document is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice.
• This document does not constitute a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any products or to adopt an investment strategy.

Risk Warnings:

• All investments involve risk and may lose value. The value of your investment can go down depending upon market conditions and you may not get back the original amount invested.
• Your capital is always at risk.
• Fluctuation in currency exchange rates may cause the value of an investment and/or a portfolio to go up or down.
• Alternative strategies involve higher risks than traditional investments, such as speculative investment techniques, which can magnify the potential for investment loss or gain.

MASECO LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the conduct of investment business in the UK and is registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor.