The Irish Landing: A High-Velocity Playbook for Your First 7 Days

Most executives arrive in Dublin expecting a digitized, frictionless onboarding process. They are met instead with a rigid, documentation-heavy environment where one missing utility bill can stall a move for weeks. The primary hurdle isn't the difficulty of the tasks themselves, but the order of operations; you cannot get a bank account without a utility bill, and you often cannot get a utility bill without an Irish bank account.

This guide outlines the specific sequence required for arriving in Ireland first steps. It is designed for founders and business leaders who need to be fully operational within one week, ensuring that personal administration does not interfere with professional performance.

Why the first week often becomes a bureaucratic bottleneck

The Irish administrative system relies on physical proof of residency, which creates a "chicken and egg" problem for new arrivals. Without a surgical approach to documentation, high-earners often find themselves stuck in these specific traps:

1. Relying on temporary accommodation addresses that retail banks frequently reject for account opening.
2. Waiting until arrival to book registration appointments that are currently experiencing record demand.
3. Underestimating the time required for the Department of Social Protection to process identity tokens.
4. Assuming that an international credit score transfers to the Irish lending or rental market.

The First Week Operational Sequence

Timing is everything. If you land on a Sunday, your Monday morning must be dedicated to the hardware of relocation—phones, transport, and identity.

1Secure a local mobile number and Leap card

Do not rely on roaming or international SIMs for government forms. Obtaining a local Irish mobile number is a prerequisite for two-factor authentication on government portals and local delivery services. Simultaneously, purchase a Leap card for public transport to ensure mobility across the city without relying solely on ride-hails, which can be scarce during peak Dublin rain.

2Verify your PPS Number appointment

The Personal Public Service (PPS) number is your primary key for the Irish tax system and healthcare. You should have initiated this application before landing, but Day 2 is for ensuring your "MyWelfare" account is active and your identity meeting is confirmed. This number is essential for avoiding emergency tax, which can significantly impact your initial take-home pay.

3Initiate the bank account workaround

Traditional retail banks can take weeks to verify a new arrival. On Day 3, focus on opening a personal bank account via a digital-first provider or a "fintech" alternative that accepts a passport and a letter of intent. This provides you with an IBAN immediately, allowing you to set up utility bills which then serve as the "proof of address" the legacy banks will eventually require.

4Direct address verification via utility setup

Once you have an IBAN, immediately trigger the process for setting up utility bills like broadband or electricity. In Ireland, a household utility bill is the "gold standard" for identity verification. Even if your utilities are included in a short-term corporate lease, getting your name onto a statutory declaration or an official letter from the provider is the fastest way to unlock secondary services.

5Finalize your appointment for registering with INIS

For non-EU/EEA nationals, registering with INIS (Immigration Service Delivery) is mandatory to secure your Irish Residence Permit (IRP). These appointments are highly competitive. By Day 5, your documentation—including your contract of employment and evidence of private medical insurance—must be audited and ready for the physical appointment at the Burgh Quay office or your local Garda station.

Solving the circular dependency of proof

The "circular dependency" occurs when a bank asks for a utility bill, but the utility company asks for a bank account. High-net-worth individuals often bypass this by using a "Letter of Introduction" from their employer or a specialized relocation firm.

This letter must explicitly state your residential address and confirm your employment status. When combined with a signed lease agreement, this documentation package often satisfies the "Know Your Customer" (KYC) requirements of top-tier private banking divisions, bypassing the need for a three-month-old electricity bill that you do not yet have.

How SettleDone helps

We act as the localized operational arm for leaders who cannot afford a month of administrative downtime. Through our Personal Relocation Coordination and bespoke Relocation & Expansion Blueprint, we manage the hardware of moving—from securing the right appointments to providing the exact documentation templates that Irish banks and government bodies require. We ensure that our clients skip the trial-and-error phase of arriving in Ireland first steps by handling the founder relocation & business setup logistics on their behalf.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a temporary Airbnb address to register for a PPS number?

While the Department of Social Protection requires a proof of address, a temporary license agreement or a letter from an Airbnb host is often insufficient. Professional relocation services typically provide a "care of" address solution or assist in securing a short-term lease that meets the statutory requirements for identity registration.

How long does it actually take to get an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card?

After your physical appointment at the registration office, the IRP card is typically posted to your registered Irish address within 10 to 15 working days. You cannot leave and re-enter the country easily without this card if you require a visa, so plan your international travel accordingly during the first month.

Do I need to exchange my driver’s license in the first week?

No, you can generally drive on a valid license from another EU member state or a recognized "exchangeable" country (like the US, Canada, or Australia) for up to one year. However, starting the exchange process early is recommended, as it is often a prerequisite for obtaining competitive local car insurance premiums.

What is the fastest way to get a "Proof of Address" if I am in corporate housing?

Request a formal letter on headed paper from your employer or the corporate housing provider stating that you reside at the property. This, coupled with your employment contract, is usually accepted by digital banks and some retail branches to initiate the account opening process.

Is private health insurance mandatory for the first week?

For many non-EU visa categories, such as the Critical Skills Employment Permit, evidence of private medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for your INIS registration. Even if not legally mandated for your specific visa, having coverage from day one is essential to avoid the "waiting periods" often imposed by Irish providers on pre-existing conditions.