The short answer
- Who: people from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who can support themselves without working.
- Money: an individual income of €50,000 a year, plus a lump sum for big costs, such as the price of a home here, certified by an Irish accountancy firm.
- How: apply for Stamp 0 to ISD before you move, then get a D visa if you need one, then register.
- Limits: no work and no State benefits. It counts towards citizenship, not towards Stamp 5.
Check your plan
Retirement checker
Whether you meet ISD’s conditions for Stamp 0, and when you could move.
What to send
From ISD’s “I want to retire to Ireland” page. ISD decides each case. Nothing you enter is sent or saved.
The money ISD looks for
| What ISD says | |
|---|---|
| Income | An individual income of €50,000 a year |
| Lump sum | Access to money for sudden major expenses, equal to, for example, the price of a home in Ireland |
| Kind of money | Pension income or readily accessible funds. Investment sums aren’t normally measured |
| How to show it | A spreadsheet in euros, showing all income and spending each month, certified by an Irish accountancy firm |
ISD’s page talks about an individual income. If you’re moving as a couple, ask ISD or your accountant how it applies to you both.
How to apply
- Gather your documents (below), and have an Irish accountancy firm certify your finances.
- Send the TPER form and documents by post to: Stamp 0 – Independent Means Section, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, Immigration Service Delivery, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, D02 XK70.
- Wait for the approval letter. ISD’s average is four months, in date order.
- Get a visa, if you need one. Visa-required nationals apply for a D visa (Reside) with the approval letter, before travelling.
- Travel and register. You get a landing stamp of up to 90 days, and you register within 90 days. The Irish Residence Permit costs €300.
What to send
- the TPER application form;
- your passport, every page, and your birth and marriage certificates;
- why you’re applying, details of any family living in Ireland and any Irish connections;
- evidence of all your finances, for example six months of bank statements;
- your accountant’s verification, listing yearly income and any liabilities;
- private medical insurance with full cover in private hospitals;
- a police clearance certificate and a health declaration.
Living here on Stamp 0
- No work or business, unless ISD’s letter allows it.
- No State benefits or publicly funded services, such as treatment in a public hospital: you support yourself and keep your private medical insurance.
- Renewing: use the TPER Renewal Form on ISD’s portal. You no longer send your passport.
- Citizenship: Stamp 0 time counts towards naturalisation. It doesn’t count towards Stamp 5.
Common mix-ups
Common questions
How much money do I need to retire to Ireland?
ISD asks for an individual income of €50,000 a year, plus access to a lump sum to cover sudden major expenses, for example the price of a home in Ireland. Your finances must be certified by an Irish accountancy firm.
What stamp do retirees get?
Stamp 0, as a person of independent means. You apply for it before you arrive, on ISD's TPER form.
Can I work on Stamp 0?
No, unless ISD's letter says so. Stamp 0 is for people who support themselves: you can't claim State benefits or use publicly funded services, such as a public hospital, either.
Do investments count towards the income?
Not normally. ISD says investment sums aren't normally measured: it looks at pension income or money you can readily access.
Can I apply once I'm in Ireland as a visitor?
No. ISD says all applicants must apply for Stamp 0 before arriving. Arriving as a visitor doesn't mean the retirement application will succeed.
How long does it take?
ISD's average is four months, in date order, and longer if documents are missing. If you need a visa, apply for a D Reside visa only after ISD approves you.
Does Stamp 0 lead to citizenship?
Time on Stamp 0 counts towards naturalisation, but not towards Stamp 5.
Sources
All sources checked on 5 Oct 2026.
- I want to retire to IrelandImmigration Service Delivery
- Immigration permission stampsImmigration Service Delivery
- Preclearance and entry visa feesImmigration Service Delivery