Obtaining a Retirement Visa to Ireland does not automatically grant you permission to work in Ireland. Nevertheless, you can apply for employment permission to gain the right to work.
There is no upper age limit regarding the ability to apply for employment permission so you might be able to work throughout your retirement.
EEA refers to the member states of the EU, as well as three countries that belong to the European Free Trade Association, namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. EEA citizens can move to Ireland without having to apply for a visa but initially, they can remain there for up to 3 months without restrictions. Those who want to retire in Ireland and stay there longer than the 3 months have to prove that they have enough funds to support themselves financially. If you demonstrate that, for example, you are employed, self-employed, or you are receiving money from a pension, you will be able to spend the rest of your retirement in Ireland.
Non-EEA citizens who want to retire in Ireland have to prove that they earn at least €50,000 per year or €100,000 when applying as a couple. This requirement does not apply to EEA citizens, however. There is no specific amount that EEA citizens wanting to retire in Ireland have to have. Immigration officials review each case individually and decide whether the amount an EEA has is enough.
Non-EEA citizens who want to retire in Ireland have to show that they have an annual income of at least €50,000 per year. This amount increases if you are applying to retire in Ireland as a couple, however, you need to have a joint income of at least €100,000 per year. In addition to this financial requirement, you have to have access to a lump sum of money that you can use to pay for any sudden expenses. This sum should be high enough to cover the price of a house or an apartment in Ireland.
The Irish Retirement Visa belongs to the category of Long Stay ‘D’ Visas to Ireland, which means that its holders can stay in the country for more than 90 days. During the first 5 years of living in Ireland on the Retirement Visa, you have to renew your permit every year. After that, you can apply for a visa valid for five years.
If you were born on the island of Ireland (this includes Northern Ireland) before January 1st, 2005, you will automatically be granted Irish citizenship. As an Irish citizen, you will not need to apply for an Irish visa to retire anywhere on the island.
