The cost of living in Ireland for international students is key to consider when planning your study journey. While Ireland’s academic institutions offer high-quality education and a welcoming environment, overall expenses will vary depending on the community students move to and their individual lifestyle. Below, we’ll look at some of the most common expenses that international students should plan for.

While these costs are current as of November 2025, check a cost of living calculator before you start drafting your budget, as prices can change regularly.

From top-ranked institutions to excellent graduate employment rates, there are lots of great reasons to study in Ireland.

Living Expenses

Next to tuition, the biggest expense for international students in Ireland is housing. Monthly rent prices are generally higher in larger cities like Dublin, and lower in smaller communities like Letterkenny or Waterford. Student residences on or near campuses are appealing options, but availability is limited and competition for a room can be high.

On average, international students spend around the following for essential living expenses:¹

You can manage your food costs by shopping carefully. A student living in Ireland might spend between €280 and €400 per month on food, depending on their dietary preferences and shopping habits. Supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl offer affordable prices for essential items, while Tesco and Dunnes Stores have more selection at a slightly higher price range.

If you’re planning to study in Ireland, and aren’t from the European Union, you must show proof of purchasing health coverage to get your Irish student visa. Importantly, you must also maintain your health insurance coverage until you leave Ireland. In general, the minimum health insurance cost for international students is around €160 for programs lasting 12 months or fewer. Insurance plans for students staying in Ireland for over a year are more expensive, and often cost over €200 per year.

Tip: Talk with your institution to understand what kind of medical insurance you need. They may be able to help you pick a suitable plan.

Utilities

In addition to rent, students need to include utilities like electricity, heating, water, and waste management in their budget. Some student residences will include heat and electricity in the monthly rent, and deduct payment from your security deposit if you use more than average. Utility bills will vary depending on things like the age of your building, the size of your rental unit, the local climate, and how many roommates you have.

Remember to budget for modern utilities, too: across Ireland, internet and mobile phone plans vary in what they offer and how much they cost. If you have a television, you’ll also need to pay €160 per year for a TV license. As you arrive, visit different phone and internet provider websites for deals for international students, especially if you’re starting your studies in September.

 Here are some average utility costs:²

Tip: When you move in, ask your building manager what the average monthly utility cost is. If your bills are consistently higher, something might need to be repaired, like a leaky tap or unsealed window.

From internships to which programs allow international students to work, check out our blog on how to work while studying in Ireland!

Leisure

Living in Ireland will give you plenty of opportunities for meeting friends, exploring cultural sites, and attending events. Plus, because Ireland is a short flight from much of Europe, many students explore new countries and cultures during long weekends or the breaks between terms. If you’re thinking about travel, it’s wise to plan ahead. You’ll need a Schengen visa to travel to other countries in the EU.

Whether you’re visiting local attractions or shopping for essentials, remember to check for student discounts! Some will be available to every student, where others may be accessed by signing up for a student price card like the International Student Identity Card.

While your leisure costs will vary, here’s a quick look at some popular expenses:³

From thrifting to volunteering, here are some of our top tips for making the most of your student budget.

Transportation and Academic Supplies

Public transportation in Ireland is reliable. Many students who travel by bus or commuter rail will buy a Young Adult or Student TFI Leap Card, which gives them 50% off adult transit rates. You can use this card on most of the Transport for Ireland buses around the country.

For students who prefer cycling, many cities have bike-sharing schemes at a reduced rate. For example, Dublin Bikes offers an annual subscription for €35, and the first 30 minutes of every journey is free. Take a closer look at some average costs:⁴

The cost of your academic supplies will vary by course. For example, classes with labs can cost more to cover experiment materials. It’s smart to start searching for textbooks as soon as you receive your reading list for the semester. Try to rent books if you can, or see if they’re available from a campus library for a long-term loan. Or, buy them second-hand from your academic institution’s bookstore, Unibooks, Bookfinder, or Facebook Marketplace.

If you’re buying books from someone online and picking them up in person, be safe: go with a friend to do a porch pick-up or meet somewhere public on campus.

Total Living Expenses

Overall, an international student living in Ireland should budget between €10,000 to €20,000 per academic year (nine months) for living expenses. As the capital city, Dublin is the most expensive place to live, while smaller cities and towns offer a more affordable cost of living.

Financial Planning Tips

• Share housing: Reduce rent costs by finding a roommate.
• Cook at home: Prepare meals at home instead of dining out to save on food costs.
• Use student discounts: Look for discounts on public transit, entertainment, and cultural sites for students with a valid student card.
• Timing is important: for example, some stores run sales on set days of the week, and mid-week movies at a theatre can be cheaper.
• Carry cash: not all restaurants will allow you to split a cheque, and if you don’t have a Leap card, you’ll have to pay for the bus in cash, so it’s good to have the money you think you’ll spend on hand.

While Ireland may have a higher cost of living than some other European countries, it remains a top destination for international students due to its vibrant culture, excellent education system, and opportunities for work after graduation. With smart financial choices, students can enjoy their time studying in Ireland without breaking the bank.

Take the next step: explore the free ApplyBoard platform to find a study program that fits your goals.

FOOTNOTES:

1. Sources: Irish Council for International Students, “Cost of Living for Students in Ireland.” (on-campus housing, food). Dublin Business School, “Cost of Living in Dublin as a DBS Student.” Accessed Nov. 25, 2025. (health insurance, and personal care: the clothing and hygiene range, minus the 45-euro clothing average spend)

2. Source: Numbeo, “Cost of Living in Ireland.” Updated Nov. 2025. (Utilities, phone, internet). Statista, “TV & Video – Ireland.” (TV & Streaming) Updated October 2025.

3. Sources: RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, “Budgeting and banking.” Accessed Nov. 25, 2025. (clothes, entertainment). Technological University of the Shannon, “Cost of Living” (gym). Numbeo, “Cost of Living in Ireland.” Updated Nov. 2025. (movies, coffee, beer, eating out) Dublin Business School, “Cost of Living in Dublin as a DBS Student.” Accessed Nov. 25, 2025. (holidays & events)

4. Sources: Dublin Business School, “Cost of Living in Dublin as a DBS Student.” Accessed Nov. 25, 2025. (Transportation). University College Dublin, “Living Costs.” Accessed Nov. 25, 2025.