Cost of living in Dublin: a complete guide for Brazilians in 2025
Planning your exchange to Ireland requires more than just choosing the course or program - it's essential to understand the cost of living in Dublin to organize your budget properly. This charming destination is one of the most sought after cities by Brazilians who wish to study and work abroad, combining professional opportunities with a rich cultural experience. In this guide, we will detail the main expenses you will have living in Dublin, from accommodation to leisure, so that your experience is smooth and well planned.
Is Dublin an expensive city for exchange students?
Dublin has a cost of living comparable to other European capitals, but offers excellent value for money for exchange students. While some aspects may seem expensive at first, the city compensates with its high minimum wage and numerous job opportunities during the exchange program. The student visa for programs longer than 25 weeks allows you to legally work for up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours on vacation.
The Irish capital also offers many free or low-cost options for leisure and culture. Its numerous parks, free museums, and cultural events make it possible to enjoy the city without compromising your budget. Ireland's vibrant economy, combined with the support offered by the program Study and Work in Ireland, allows international students to make the most of their experience while keeping their finances under control.
Main expenses and how to save in Dublin
Financial planning is critical to enjoying your time in Dublin worry-free. Each person has different priorities: some prefer to save on housing to spend more on trips, while others value home comfort more. We will detail the main expenses you will have in the Irish capital and how to optimize your budget in each category.
Accommodation in Dublin
Housing represents the largest share of the monthly budget in Dublin. Prices vary considerably depending on the location, type of accommodation, and whether or not you share with others. On average, to share an apartment or house, you should expect to spend between 150 and 200 euros a week.
A Be Easy offers support for finding accommodation in the first few weeks after your arrival, giving you time to familiarize yourself with the city and seek more permanent options. Housing sharing is extremely common among exchange students in Dublin and can significantly reduce your costs.
The most affordable areas for students include neighborhoods like Drumcondra, Smithfield, and Rathmines. The farther away from the center, the cheaper the rent tends to be, but remember to consider the additional cost with transportation. Many landlords request references, a deposit (generally equivalent to one month's rent), and proof of income or tuition.
Food and shopping in Dublin
For those planning to stay in Dublin for a longer period, cooking at home is essential to save money. A realistic food budget is around 70 to 80 euros per week, considering purchases at supermarkets and occasionally a meal out.
The most affordable supermarkets in Dublin are Lidl and Aldi, where you will find quality products at affordable prices. Tesco offers a more economical line of its own products called “Tesco Value”, and its “meal deal” (sandwich, drink and snack for around 5 euros) is a popular option for quick lunches.
A valuable tip is to look for products with “reduced to clear” labels at the end of the day, when grocery stores offer discounts on items close to their expiration date. Local fairs like the one at Temple Bar on Saturdays can also be good options for fresh fruits and vegetables at better prices.
Public Transportation and Getting Around in Dublin
Dublin is a relatively compact city, making it easy to get around by alternative and economic means. If you live in the central region, you can get around a lot on foot or by bike. The Dublin Bikes service costs around 25 euros per year and allows the use of public bicycles scattered around the city.
For those who need public transportation, the Leap Card system integrates buses, light rail (LUAS), and suburban train (DART). The card initially costs 5 euros and can be recharged as needed. Students have access to reduced rates, paying just 1 euro per trip in the city center. An added benefit is the weekly “capping” system, which limits your transportation expenses to a maximum amount, even if you make multiple trips.
With intelligent planning, your transportation expenses can be between 15 and 25 euros per week, depending on your need to travel and the location of your home.
Telephony and internet in Dublin
To communicate in Dublin, the most economical option is to purchase an Irish prepaid chip as soon as you arrive. Operators such as Three, Vodafone and Tesco Mobile offer plans with unlimited data for amounts between 15 and 30 euros per month.
Most plans include free use of messaging and calling apps like WhatsApp, which makes it easier to communicate with the family in Brazil. Many exchange students choose to have a good mobile data plan and dispense with home internet, saving on monthly expenses.
If you share a house and choose residential internet, the average cost is 30 to 40 euros per month for high speed connections, an amount that can be divided between residents.
Leisure and entertainment in Dublin
Dublin is famous for its vibrant nightlife and rich cultural scene, offering options to suit all tastes and budgets. A “pint” (beer mug) in a traditional Irish pub costs between 6 and 7.50 euros, but many establishments offer happy hours and special promotions for students.
The city also has many free entertainment options, such as Phoenix Park and St. Stephen's Green parks, as well as museums with no admission cost, such as the National Gallery and the Natural History Museum. For culture lovers, Trinity College, Temple Bar, and Dublin Castle are must-see sights.
Booking between 50 and 80 euros per week for leisure will allow you to take full advantage of what the city has to offer, including occasional dinners out, movies or shows.
Working in Dublin: opportunities and salaries
One of the great advantages of doing exchange to learn a language abroad in Ireland it is the possibility to work legally during your studies. The Irish minimum wage is one of the highest in Europe, set at 13.70 euros per hour in 2025, which helps considerably to balance the cost of living in Dublin.
Most exchange students obtain employment within the first 4 to 8 weeks after arrival, mainly in sectors such as hospitality, restaurants, cafes, retail, and customer service. The level of English is a determining factor for the type of job and salary you can initially get.
With an average workday of 20 hours a week, you can expect an income of approximately 1,100 euros per month, working at minimum wage. Over time and with the improvement of your English, opportunities tend to expand to more specific and higher-paying areas.
A Be Easy offers preparation workshops for the Irish labor market, helping with the preparation of resumes in the local format and with tips for job interviews, significantly increasing your chances of getting a good job quickly.
Additional expenses to consider
In addition to the main expenses already mentioned, there are other expenses that should be considered in your monthly budget:
- Household accounts: Including electricity, gas, and heating, which can vary greatly depending on the time of year. During winter, heating can represent a significant cost, reaching 40-50 euros per week when divided with others.
- Health insurance: Mandatory for international students, it costs approximately 120 euros a year for the basic insurance required by immigration.
- Study material: For English courses, consider around 50 euros starting for books and teaching materials.
- Apparel: The Irish climate requires appropriate clothing, especially a good waterproof coat and sturdy footwear for rainy days.
- Emergencies and unforeseen events: We recommend keeping a reserve of at least 300 euros for unexpected situations.
Practical tips for saving in Dublin
To make the most of your budget while staying in Dublin, consider these practical tips that can make a big difference at the end of the month:
- Share to the fullest: Housing, internet, cleaning products, and even some grocery shopping can be shared with housemates.
- Take advantage of loyalty cards: Supermarkets such as Tesco and Dunnes Stores offer point programs that guarantee discounts on purchases.
- Use discount apps: Too Good To Go and other platforms offer food at reduced prices at restaurants to avoid waste.
- Plan meals: Making a weekly meal plan and shopping list helps avoid unnecessary spending.
- Explore free options: Dublin has a rich cultural offer free of charge, such as museums, galleries and public events.
- Economical travel: Airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet offer cheap flights to explore Europe on weekends or holidays.
Be Easy
A Be Easy offers full support for Brazilians who want to live the experience of studying and working in Dublin. With personalized pre-trip guidance and local assistance in Ireland, we ensure that you can focus on what really matters: enjoying every moment of your exchange. Our programs include assistance in finding accommodation, workshops on the local labor market, and integration activities with other students. Contact us today for a personalized consultation and make your dream of living in Ireland a reality!
