Ireland Our Living Islands Property Refurbishment Support
Restore a vacant or derelict home on an Irish offshore island and become part of a living…
Last verified Jun 9, 2026
Dream spread
Restore a vacant or derelict home on an Irish offshore island and become part of a living island community.
Relocation reality check
This is NOT free money to move. It is property-refurbishment reimbursement.
You need a qualifying property (vacant 2+ years, built before 2007), local-authority approval, work quotes, and you fund renovation upfront. The grant does not confer residency.
Verify before applying
This is property-refurbishment reimbursement, not a relocation grant.
You fund renovation upfront; payout follows approved work.
The grant does not confer residency — verify immigration separately.
Your fit signals
The real program is below — the 0–100 scoring is a paid feature.
Full match score — Solo / Household
The 0–100 move-match score, quality score, and would-stay breakdown — with confidence and full reasoning — unlock on Solo and Household.
See Solo & Household plansProperty required
This program requires buying qualifying property.
Your profile says you're not willing to purchase yet.
Update your profile if you're open to buying property.
Renovation required
This program expects you to renovate a qualifying home.
Your profile says you're not willing to renovate yet.
Mark renovation willingness on your profile if that fits your plan.
Update your profile · we only surface what official rules require.
Reality engine
Four lenses on whether this move fits you — tap a panel to see the logic behind each signal.
Eligibility
Qualifying island property meeting vacant/derelict criteria, processed via the relevant local authority. Non-Irish/non-EU users must separately verify immigration/residency rights.
The long game
If Ireland becomes home, here is the road from first visa to a second passport.
Ireland · residency → PR → citizenship
Curated- Y0ArriveYear zero
- Y5Permanent residency~5 years
- Y5Citizenship eligible~5 years
Citizenship: 5 years (1,825 days) of reckonable residence within the last 9 years, including the final year continuous.
Permanent residency: Long-Term Residency / Stamp 4 routes generally open after 5 years of eligible permissions.
True cost to move
Upfront cash, reimbursements, and net position after approval — not headline incentive amounts.
Reimbursement-only program — you fund costs before any grant payout.
- Flights & logistics$1,200
- Temporary housing (90 days)$2,400
- Deposit / first month rent$2,000
- Visa & consular fees$500
- Health insurance$600
- Legal & translation$400
- Setup costs$800
- First 90-day living costs$4,500
- Emergency buffer$3,000
- Grant / incentive value
- $90,720
- Upfront cash needed
- $15,400
- Net after approval
- -$75,320
Application roadmap
A practical sequence — adjust for your consulate and timeline.
1. Confirm official eligibility
Read the primary government source.
2. Gather income & employment proof
Bank statements, contracts, or tax records.
3. Book consulate / immigration appointment
Slots vary by country and season.
4. Prepare health coverage
Meet minimum coverage rules before arrival.
Community & lifestyle
Lived experience signals — not a substitute for official rules.
Irish-speaking island communities, Atlantic landscapes, heritage, remote-work potential, crafts, music, coastal life.
Community-centered, resilient, locally rooted, informal, shaped by weather, ferry schedules, and island identity.
Seafood, soda bread, local produce, pub food, tea culture, regional Irish staples.
Traditional Irish music, pub sessions, festivals, storytelling, community events.
Warm but close-knit; trust builds through participation and consistency.
Slow, weather-shaped, communal, practical, nature-driven.
Meet people before you go
Existing communities already talking about life in 🇮🇪 Ireland. Lurk, ask, make a friend — before the flight.
- r/MoveToIreland
Relocation-focused; read the wiki before posting.
- r/AskIreland
Red flags
- Requires qualifying property
- Renovation costs upfront
- Reimbursement not upfront cash
- Remote island logistics
- Does not provide immigration status
Source trail
Official links and when we last verified them.
- Primary official sourceLast checked 6/9/2026
- Secondary official referenceLast checked 6/9/2026