What is the monthly cost of living in Ireland in 2025?

Planning an exchange in Ireland means understanding the real costs you will have on a daily basis. The country offers excellent opportunities for international students, but prices vary significantly depending on the chosen city and lifestyle.

For an international student, monthly expenses are between €1,200 and €3,000, with rent representing the largest expense. Dublin, for example, has higher costs than other Irish cities, but it also offers a wider range of job opportunities for students.

The Irish economic scenario in 2025

Ireland is positioned as one of the most expensive economies in the European Union, with prices between 42% and 47% above the EU average. However, this cost is balanced out with higher salaries. O Minimum wage increase in Ireland in 2025 established the amount at €13.50 per hour for workers aged 20 and over.

Important economic data:

• Minimum wage: €13.50/hour
• Average net salary in Dublin: €3,507/month
• Inflation rate: 1.8% per year
• Purchasing power: significantly higher than the Brazilian

Main monthly expenses for students

Housing: your biggest investment

Rent will be your main expense. The Irish housing crisis caused prices to skyrocket, especially in Dublin. As of May 2025, only 2,300 units were available for rent across the country.

Rental costs by city (2025):

Dublin:

• Shared room: €700-900
• 1 bedroom apartment (center): €2,057
• 1 bedroom apartment (outside the center): €1.738

Cork:

• Shared room: €700-800
• 1 bedroom apartment (center): €1,580
• 1 bedroom apartment (outside the center): €1,330

Galway:

• Shared room: €700
• 1 bedroom apartment (center): €1,750
• 1 bedroom apartment (outside the center): €1,550

Food: planning is essential

Food costs vary between €250 and €400 per month for a person. Supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi offer more competitive prices, while Tesco and SuperValu have a wider range.

Basic prices at the supermarket:

• Milk (1L): €1.46
• Bread (500 g): €1.89
• Eggs (12 units): €3.90
• Chicken (1 kg): €9.97

Eating out:

• Economy meal: €18-20
• Fast food: €10-11
• Beer pint: €6 (average)

Transportation: invest in the monthly pass

O Public transport in Dublin works with the TFI Leap Card system, offering discounts of up to 30% compared to separate tickets.

Transportation costs:

• Dublin: €96/month (multimodal pass)
• Cork: €68-87/month
• Galway: €60/month

Important tip: The system has daily (€6) and weekly (€24) limits in Dublin. Once these values are reached, trips are free.

Utilities and communications

Household accounts

Basic utilities (electricity, gas, heating, water) cost between €210 and €251 per month for an 85m² apartment. In winter, these amounts can rise to €400 due to heating.

Economy strategy: The Irish energy market is competitive. Switching suppliers annually can save up to €946 in electricity and €2,000 in combined contracts.

Internet and cell phone

• Broadband Internet: €43-49/month
• Cellular plan (10GB+): €19-21/month

Practical budgets by profile

Economic student in Dublin

• Rent (shared room): €750
• Food: €250
• Transportation: €60
• Utilities (partial): €75
• Communications: €30
• Health: €50
• Leisure: €85
• Total: €1,300

Young professional in Cork

• Rent (1 room outside the center): €1,330
• Food: €450
• Transportation: €87
• Utilities: €250
• Communications: €60
• Health: €60
• Leisure: €300
• Total: €2,537

Real purchasing power

While the prices seem high, Irish buying power is higher. While basic food expenditure in Brazil consumes 37.1% of the minimum wage, in Ireland it represents only 7.2%.

A student working 20 hours a week (legal limit) with minimum wage earns approximately €1,170 per month. As you can see from the examples above, this covers a good part of the basic costs.

Tips for saving

1. Strategic housing choice

• Consider smaller cities with good transport links
• Assess the “total location cost” (rent + transportation)
• Join Facebook groups to find shared rooms

2. Active account management

• Compare energy suppliers annually
• Use price comparison apps
• Take advantage of supermarket promotions

3. Intelligent transport

• Avoid buying a car in the first year
• Use the Leap Card to save 30%
• Take advantage of daily and weekly spending limits

4. Economical food

• Focus on discount supermarkets (Lidl, Aldi)
• Cook at home most of the time
• Take advantage of offers and promotions

Comparison with other destinations

For a broader perspective, it's worth comparing with other popular exchange destinations. O cost of living in Dublin is similar to that of cities like Madrid and Barcelona, but with advantages such as the possibility of working legally while studying.

Essential financial planning

Recommended starting capital

• Minimum: €3,000-4,000 (3-4 months of expenses)
• Includes: deposit, first rent, temporary accommodation
• Reserve extra for emergencies and initial adaptation

Job opportunities

O Study and work program in Ireland allows you to work 20 hours a week during the course and 40 hours during school holidays. This represents significant income to supplement your budget.

Sectors with opportunities:

• Customer service
• Hospitality and tourism
• Retail
• Technology (for qualified profiles)

Is it worth investing?

Ireland offers excellent value for money when we consider:

• Internationally recognized quality education
• Legal work permit for students
• Gateway to Europe
• Multicultural and welcoming environment
• Professional growth opportunities

The initial challenge lies in access to housing and the capital needed to get started. Once these barriers are overcome, local purchasing power allows for a comfortable standard of living.

Be Easy

Planning an exchange in Ireland requires financial strategy and knowledge of the local market. A Be Easy offers expert advice to help you make the best choices and optimize your budget from day one. Our experienced team knows all the details of the Irish cost of living and can guide you on the best savings strategies. Contact us and turn your dream of studying in Ireland into a financially viable and successful project!