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Living Costs for Filipinos in Ireland: What You Need to Know

28 Oct 2024


Are you planning to move to Ireland? If so, then you must be eager to start your new journey. Even though Ireland's breathtaking scenery, vibrant culture, and welcoming people will charm you, it's important to know the cost of living there. Navigating these costs can be stressful, but you can easily control them with the correct information.

 

From groceries to medical bills, understanding and keeping an eye on your expenses is the key, especially if you need to send money to Philippines from Ireland on a regular basis. Also, this will help you plan your monthly budget and know where your hard-earned money is going. Continue reading because this blog covers all you need to know about living expenses in Ireland. 

Housing and Transportation Costs in Ireland

Housing is one of the biggest costs for expats in Ireland. Prices vary depending on location, type of property, and whether you're purchasing or renting. In contrast, transportation is reasonably priced.

Average Monthly Rent by City

In Ireland, the average monthly rent varies by city. These are some of the options inside centre and outside the centre you have: 

  • Dublin is the most costly city, with an average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment reaching €2,000. 
  • The second-largest city in Ireland, Cork, has a more reasonably priced one-bedroom apartment costing between €1,300 and €1,600. 
  • Galway and Limerick have even more reasonably priced options ranging from €1,100 to €1,400. While rental prices are much lower in smaller towns, often less than €1,000 per month.

Cost of Public Transportation

Ireland has a good public transit network; the primary modes of public transportation consist of Irish Rail-operated trains, buses, and trams (such as the Luas in Dublin). A monthly Leap Card for Dublin's public transportation system costs about €120 and grants unlimited bus, rail, and tram travel. Efficient transportation can help you save money, which you can give your family by making a money transfer from Ireland to Philippines. 

Costs of Food and Grocery

In Ireland, groceries and food take up a sizable portion of your monthly budget. For Filipinos, it can be difficult to get used to the increased costs and product availability.

Average Grocery Cost for Filipino

Depending on what you buy, groceries for a single person cost anywhere from €150 to €250. Popular supermarkets like Tesco, Aldi, and Lidl provide many reasonably priced products like dairy, meat, fresh fruit, and pantry items. 

Eating Out in Ireland

Frequently eating out can cost you a lot and upset your budget. A single meal in an expensive restaurant costs up to €20, while a three-course meal for two persons in a mid-range restaurant costs around €80.

Monthly Costs of Utilities and Other Expenses

In Ireland, monthly costs of utilities such as electricity and other bills account a portion of your income aside from housing and food. These are the costs of these utilities:

Costs of Gas, Electricity, and Water

Depending on the season, gas prices normally cost between €80 and €120 per month, while electricity rates vary from €100 to €150. The government pays for the water supply, but excessive use results in extra costs.

Additional Expenses (such as Entertainment and Gym Memberships)

For a balanced lifestyle, it's important to have some leisure time. The average monthly gym membership cost is between €30 and €60. A movie ticket costs between €10 to €15 for amusement, but going out for supper or drinks can normally cost between €50 and €70. So, whether you are spending money on these activities or making an online money transfer from Ireland to Philippines, it is important to budget and manage your finances.  

Costs of Streaming, Phone Plans, and Internet Services

Monthly internet subscriptions typically cost between €40 and €70, depending on the supplier and speed. Prepaid and postpaid mobile phone plans usually range from €20 to €40 per month for unlimited data, messages, and calls. Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ have monthly subscriptions that range from €8 to €20.

Cost of Education and Childcare

If you are a Filipino whose family lives in Ireland, then childcare and education are a big concern for you. Understanding these costs will help you to make well-informed decisions.

Public vs. Private Education Costs

In Ireland, the government pays for elementary and secondary education in public schools, but parents are responsible for extra charges for things like books, uniforms, and extracurricular activities. These charges can total between €300 and €500 annually for each child. In contrast, annual costs for private education can range from €5,000 to €15,000. 

Cost of Daycare and Preschool

Preschool and childcare costs in Ireland are high, especially for working parents who need full-time care. The cost of these services varies based on the location and number of hours of care required. This can range from €800 to €1,200 per month. 

Financial Tips for Filipinos Travelling to Ireland

You need to carefully plan your finances if you are new in Ireland as you are still adjusting to a new cost of living. Using these tips, you can stretch your income and save yourself from financial hazards.

Handling Unexpected Costs

As a Filipino expat in Ireland, budgeting for unexpected costs such as unexpected medical bills, auto maintenance, or vacations is important. You should gradually build up your savings to cover such expenses for three to six months. 

Budgeting as an Expat

Budgeting is the most necessary part when it comes to managing your finances. First, make sure you know your exact monthly income and your monthly expenses. You can manage your money better using applications like YNAB or Qapital to track your expenses. 

Saving on Utility and Housing 

You can save a lot on rent by living in reasonably priced suburban areas or sharing your house with other people. Also, when you share your home, you do not only share rent, you also share utility costs. Additionally, easy adjustments like turning off lights, reducing heating when not needed, and using energy-efficient appliances greatly impact your gas and electricity costs.

Meal and Grocery Planning

You can save money on groceries by shopping from stores like Lidl and Aldi. They have good rates on meat, fresh vegetables, and pantry staples. Organize your meals and cook in large quantities to cut food waste and save money on eating out.

Join Social Groups and Filipino Organizations 

Join groups like the Filipino Irish Association or online communities on social media. These groups provide a forum for people to ask for help, exchange experiences, and learn about different resources. Many organizations also plan get-togethers and activities.

Making Your Financial Situation Better with ACE Money Transfer

Managing finances to better your financial situation involves figuring out the most economical ways to send money home. ACE Money Transfer lessens your anxiety by providing a dependable and effective way to send money online to Philippines from Ireland.
 

ACE Money Transfer's competitive exchange rates, affordable transfer fees, and user-friendly platform help expats manage their finances. Additionally, ACE Money Transfer also offers exclusive offers, discounts, and associate benefits; this will further reduce the cost of your monthly remittances, saving some money.

FAQs

What is the difference between the cost of living in the Philippines and Ireland?

The cost of living in Ireland is more than it is in the Philippines, especially in big cities like Dublin. If you are moving, it means that your housing, utilities, and transportation costs will increase, so keep this in mind while making your budget.

What is the average cost of dining out in Ireland?

In Ireland, a lunch at a normal restaurant can cost between €10 and €25, while a mid-range restaurant can charge between €60 and €80. If you look around for nearby restaurants and know their price ranges, it will help you control your meal expenses.

Is it easy to find a job in Ireland as a Filipino expat?

Ireland has a number of Filipinos who work in fields like IT, hospitality, and healthcare. In Ireland, you can easily find a job in any sector if you are capable enough. You can improve your chances of getting a job by using job-finding websites and networking within the Filipino community.

What are some tax obligations for Filipino expats living in Ireland?

Irish tax rules apply to foreign workers from the Philippines who work in Ireland. A standard rate of 20% is applied to all employees' income in Ireland, which accounts for a maximum of €42,000. A higher rate of tax is applied to any earnings over this threshold, which is 40%. It's essential to understand the tax code, so talking to a tax professional will help you.

Does Ireland have a big Filipino community?

Yes, from any country in Southeast Asia, Ireland has the largest Filipino community in Ireland. The Filipino community has grown throughout time. Now, there are active Filipino organizations, community gatherings, and even Filipino grocery stores in Dublin, Cork, and Galway.


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