First 30 Days in Ireland: 10 Things International Students Should Do

The short answer

• Basics first: a safe place to stay, food, transport, essential documents and a few familiar faces.
• Paperwork next: college registration, immigration registration if it applies to you, and a PPS Number if you need one.
• Then routine: phone, bank, a GP, a weekly budget and one small social plan a week.

Your first 30 days in Ireland can feel exciting, confusing and very busy. You may be starting a course, learning a new city and organising important documents all at once.

So what should you do first? You do not need to solve everything on day one. This guide shows what to prioritise, week by week. Your order may differ depending on your nationality, course, city and accommodation.

Settling in? Get the Babylon International app for weekly guides for newcomers in Ireland. Download it free on the App Store or Google Play.

1. Days 1 to 3: make your first place liveable

Before you organise any documents, make sure you can sleep, eat, wash and get to class. Check what your room already includes and talk to your flatmates before you shop.

• Bedding, a pillow and towels
• A plate, bowl, mug, glass and cutlery
• One pot and one pan, plus food containers
• Washing-up liquid, a sponge, bin bags and laundry detergent
• A phone charger and plug adaptor, if needed
• Food for your first few days

For larger items, IKEA Ireland sells home and study essentials, with delivery and collection options that vary by location. Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi and SuperValu are common supermarkets. Pick one you can reach easily: a lower price is not a saving if you need a taxi to carry it home.

2. Days 4 to 7: learn your regular routes

Start with the journeys you will make most: home to college, home to the supermarket, college to the city centre, and your route home after an evening event. Use Google Maps or your transport operator’s website, and allow extra time in week one.

3. Get the right TFI Leap Card

A TFI Leap Card can give lower fares than paying cash. People aged 19 to 25 can apply for a Young Adult card. Eligible full-time students aged 16 to 18, or 26 and over, can apply for a Student card, and international students can qualify on the same study requirements: currently at least 15 hours of classes a week on a course of at least six months or 25 weeks. Check the latest Leap Card rules.

Thinking of cycling? Test your route first. Dublinbikes runs in Dublin and TFI Bikes in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, so you can try before you buy. If you buy, budget for a strong lock and lights, and lock the frame, not just a wheel.

Related guides

• The Ultimate Guide to Ireland’s Public Transportation
• Ireland Public Transport Fares 2027: What Passengers Need to Know
• Is Ireland Expensive? A Guide to the Cost of Living in Ireland

4. Complete your college registration

Register as soon as possible, collect your student card and confirm your timetable. Ask about orientation, societies, international student support, English-language help, library access, careers and part-time work support, counselling and campus healthcare. Save their contact details before you need them.

5. Check your immigration requirements

Students from outside the EU/EEA, UK and Switzerland staying more than 90 days generally need to register their immigration permission within the required period.

• With Stamp 2, eligible students can normally work up to 20 hours a week in term time and up to 40 hours a week in the permitted holidays (June to September, and 15 December to 15 January).
• These rights apply to Stamp 2, not Stamp 2A. Check the official student guidance before accepting work.
• Keep a record of appointment dates and your permission’s expiry date.

For recent rule changes, read how Ireland revamped its visa rules.

6. Week 2: sort proof of address and your PPS Number

Many services ask for proof of address, such as a rental agreement, utility bill or official letter, though rules differ. In student accommodation, ask your provider what they can give you. Your college may also be able to issue a letter.

A PPS Number is used to access certain public services, and you may need one when you start work. To apply online you generally need a basic or verified MyGovID account, proof of identity, proof of your Irish address and evidence of why you need the number.

Related guides

• Working in Ireland in 2026: What International Professionals Need to Know
• Ireland salary guide 2026: Calculate your net pay
• Recognition of Foreign Qualifications in Ireland

7. Set up your phone and bank account

A local number helps with college messages, deliveries, job applications and appointments. A prepaid plan may be simpler at first. When choosing a bank, compare fees, cash withdrawals, international transfer costs, mobile banking, deposit protection and the documents required. Never send ID documents through an unofficial link or to an unverified person.

8. Week 3: build a food and spending routine

Write down what you spend on rent, food, transport, phone, laundry, course materials, social life, healthcare, household items and emergencies. Choose one main supermarket and one backup, and plan simple meals around shared ingredients such as oats, eggs, rice, pasta, vegetables and fruit. Ask your college about affordable meals, a student pantry or emergency financial support.

9. Week 4: find a GP and look after yourself

A GP is usually your first doctor for non-emergency health concerns. Practices are private and availability varies, so you may need to contact several. Search by location with the HSE’s Find a GP service, and check your health insurance first: do not assume visits or prescriptions are free. In a serious emergency, call 112 or 999.

10. Build community, and understand your housing

Feeling lonely is common. Make one small social plan a week: a society event, a language exchange, a community event, coffee with a classmate, a sports club or volunteering. Find ideas on Babylon Events.

Your rights depend on your arrangement: a private tenancy, student-specific accommodation, digs, a licence or a short-term let. Read your agreement, keep receipts, an inventory and move-in photos, and never pay a deposit for a property you have not viewed or verified. Our Ireland Renting Guide explains leases and tenant rights.

Related guides

• Housing Crisis in Ireland: Real Stories from International Students and Migrants
• Ireland’s 5 Most Common Culture Shocks

You do not need a perfect first month

Your first 30 days are about building a base: somewhere safe to sleep, a way to get to college, food in your kitchen, the right documents, a budget and a few people to talk to. Give yourself time.

Your next step: make a list of your three most-used routes and travel each one this week. Then read our guide to Ireland’s public transport.

Made it to the end? Keep the guides coming with the Babylon International app. Download it free on the App Store or Google Play.