Irish citizens can move to the UK without a visa: the Common Travel Area predates Brexit and wasn't changed by it. What did change: your belongings now need a Transfer of Residence (ToR1) customs declaration to enter duty-free, your pets need an Animal Health Certificate instead of an EU passport, and any car you bring needs a NOVA notification within 14 days of arrival. Most moves go by road and arrive in 1 to 3 days.

The UK is still the most common destination for Irish emigrants. London alone has one of the largest Irish communities outside the island of Ireland. The process of getting there hasn't become difficult, but it has changed in ways that catch people out if they haven't done their research.

This guide covers what's different since Brexit, how shipping works for a UK move, and what you need to sort on both sides.

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Irish citizens and the UK: what Brexit didn't change

The Common Travel Area has existed since 1923, well before either country joined the EU. Brexit didn't touch it.

As an Irish citizen, you have the right to live, work, and access public services in the UK without a visa, a work permit, or any immigration application. You can arrive and start working the same day. This applies to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

What Brexit changed is the customs position for your belongings, your pets, and your car.

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How your belongings get from Ireland to the UK

Most Ireland to UK removals go by road. A groupage load (your things sharing a truck with other shipments) takes 3 to 10 days. A dedicated truck with your belongings only arrives in 1 to 3 days.

That's fundamentally different from moving to Australia or Canada, where you're looking at 8 to 12 weeks by sea freight. For a UK move, the logistics are simpler and faster, and costs reflect that.

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Road freight costs from Ireland to the UK (ex. Dublin):

Volume drives cost more than anything else. A pre-move survey  (in-home across Leinster, video nationwide) gives you a fixed quote based on what you're actually taking, not a rough estimate.

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oR1: the customs step most people miss

Before Brexit, moving your belongings from Ireland to the UK was a transfer within the EU single market. No customs, no declarations.

That changed in January 2021. Your belongings now cross a customs border when they enter Great Britain. Without the right documentation, they can be held and assessed for import duty.

The fix is Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief, an HMRC mechanism that allows you to import personal belongings duty-free when you're relocating. To qualify:

• You must have owned and used the items for at least 6 months before the move
• You must be establishing your permanent residence in the UK
• The application should be submitted to HMRC before your goods arrive (or within 6 months of arrival, though before is cleaner)
• New items, gifts, and commercially purchased goods don't qualify

AMC handles ToR1 preparation as part of the move. You provide a household inventory. we build the HMRC submission from there. This is one of those steps that causes delays and unexpected charges when removal companies don't flag it early.

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Where Irish people are moving in the UK

London remains the default, particularly for people working in finance, tech, construction, and healthcare. The Irish community is well-established: GAA clubs, Irish centres, and Irish professional networks across the city and commuter belt. Housing is expensive: a one-bedroom apartment in most London zones runs £1,800 to £2,800 per month.

Manchester is increasingly popular, especially for people priced out of London or moving for roles in tech and media. A one-bedroom in central Manchester runs £1,100 to £1,700 per month: roughly half the London equivalent.

Edinburgh draws Irish healthcare workers and academics in particular. Strong jobs market in public services and fintech, a compact Irish community, and costs that are high by UK regional standards but manageable by London ones: £1,200 to £1,900 per month for a one-bedroom.

Birmingham has one of the UK's largest established Irish communities. Good transport links, a city centre that has improved considerably over the past decade, and a one-bedroom at £900 to £1,400 per month.

Bristol tends to attract younger Irish emigrants in creative industries, tech, and education. Smaller city, strong sense of place, and a pace that suits people who want urban life without London's intensity.

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Admin to sort before and after you arrive

National Insurance (NI) number. Your NI number is the UK equivalent of a PPS number. You need it to work, pay tax, and access benefits. Apply at gov.uk. You can start the application before you arrive and complete it after. Bring your Irish passport and proof of your UK address.

NHS registration. Register with a GP as soon as you have a UK address. Irish citizens under the CTA are entitled to NHS treatment on the same basis as UK nationals. Find your nearest practice at nhs.uk and bring ID and proof of address.

Driving licence. Your Irish licence is valid for driving in Great Britain. There's a reciprocal agreement between Ireland and the UK that allows direct exchange. No theory test, no practical test, just a DVLA application and a fee (currently £43). Most insurers accept an Irish licence, but some prefer a UK one. Exchange it within your first year.

Banking. Most UK banks open accounts for Irish applicants with a passport and proof of UK address. If you need a bridge while you're setting up, Wise and Revolut both handle sterling and can hold currency before a traditional account is active.

Revenue Ireland. Notify Revenue Commissioners that you're leaving. If you've paid PAYE mid-year, you may be due a refund. Get your P45 from your employer and request a balancing statement before you go, chasing it from a UK address adds friction.

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Bringing your car

Importing a car from Ireland to Great Britain involves several steps that are worth knowing about before you commit.

NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival). Within 14 days of the car arriving in Great Britain, you must submit a NOVA notification to HMRC. Failure to do so results in penalties.

MOT. If the vehicle is over 3 years old, it needs an MOT before it can be registered in the UK.

DVLA registration. Once NOVA is confirmed and MOT is in place, you apply to re-register the vehicle with the DVLA using a V55/5 form. Your V5C (the Irish logbook equivalent) will be needed as part of the application. Insurance must be switched to a UK policy.

One practical note: for older vehicles or anything with high mileage, the cost and time involved in import often exceeds the car's value. Selling in Ireland and buying in the UK is frequently the cleaner option. AMC quotes vehicle transport separately from household goods, worth comparing both routes before deciding.

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Bringing pets

The EU pet passport is no longer valid for bringing animals into Great Britain. The replacement is the Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

For dogs and cats entering England, Scotland, or Wales, you'll need:

• A microchip (ISO standard 15-digit chip)
• A valid rabies vaccination, at least 21 days before travel if it's the first vaccination; boosters must be current
• An AHC issued by a vet registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Ireland, valid for 10 days from the date of issue, and travel must happen within that window
• Travel on an approved route: Dublin or Rosslare to Holyhead, Pembroke, or Fishguard on an approved ferry service

No quarantine is required for pets coming from Ireland, provided documentation is correct. If you're flying rather than travelling by ferry, check airline breed and size restrictions well in advance, rules vary significantly by carrier.

Northern Ireland is different. Under the Windsor Framework, NI remains aligned with EU rules for animal movements. The EU pet passport is still valid for pets moving from the Republic to Northern Ireland. If you're moving to Belfast or anywhere else in NI, the AHC requirement doesn't apply.

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Northern Ireland: a different set of rules

This confuses a lot of people, so it's worth being direct about it.

Northern Ireland is part of the UK but operates under the Windsor Framework for goods and animal movements. In practice, this means the customs and documentation picture for an ROI to NI move looks significantly different from an ROI to Great Britain move.

• Household goods moving from the Republic to NI don't require ToR1 customs relief
• EU pet passports remain valid for ROI to NI pet travel
• Vehicles: NOVA and DVLA re-registration still applies for NI registration, but some specifics differ

If you're moving to Belfast, Derry, or anywhere in Northern Ireland, flag that from the start. The logistics and documentation are handled differently, and AMC knows the distinction.

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FAQs

Q. Do Irish citizens need a visa to move to the UK?
‍No. The Common Travel Area gives Irish citizens the right to live and work in the UK without a visa or immigration application. This wasn't changed by Brexit.

Q. What is ToR1 relief and do I need it?
‍ToR1 is HMRC's Transfer of Residence relief. It allows you to bring personal belongings into Great Britain duty-free when you're permanently relocating. You need it if you're moving to England, Scotland, or Wales. AMC prepares the application as part of the move.

Q. How long does a move from Ireland to the UK take?
‍Road groupage takes 3 to 10 days. A dedicated truck is typically 1 to 3 days door-to-door. Far faster than intercontinental moves.

Q.Can I bring my car from Ireland to the UK?
‍Yes, but it involves NOVA notification within 14 days, an MOT if the car is over 3 years old, and re-registration with the DVLA. For older or lower-value vehicles, selling in Ireland and buying in the UK often makes more financial sense. AMC quotes vehicle transport separately.

Q. Is my EU pet passport still valid for bringing a pet to the UK?
‍Not for Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales). You need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an accredited vet, valid for 10 days. For Northern Ireland specifically, the EU pet passport is still accepted under the Windsor Framework.

Q. Can I exchange my Irish driving licence for a UK one?
‍Yes. There's a reciprocal agreement between Ireland and the UK that allows direct exchange without any driving test. Apply through the DVLA with your Irish licence and passport. Your Irish licence remains valid to drive on in the meantime.

Q. What happens to my Irish bank account when I move?
‍You can usually keep it open, most Irish banks allow non-resident accounts. But you'll need a UK account for salary, direct debits, and most local admin. Open one as soon as you have a UK address.

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Get started

AMC has been moving Irish families to the UK for over 25 years. FIDI and FAIM accredited. We handle ToR1 customs preparation in-house and cover the full route, from survey to delivery, whether you're moving to London, Edinburgh, Manchester, or anywhere in between.

The first step is a free pre-move survey, in-home or by video call. It takes 30 to 60 minutes and gives you a fixed quote based on your actual volume.

Get a free pre-move survey here→ FREE SURVEY

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