The Biggest Red Flags

• "The landlord is abroad": The most common scam. The fake owner says they're away and will send the keys by post once you pay. Lie.
• Pressure to pay via Western Union: Legitimate landlords use bank accounts with Irish IBAN.
• Price too good to be true: A T1 in central Dublin for €900? It's fraud to create urgency.

What You Should Demand from the Landlord?

The landlord must register the property with the RTB (Residential Tenancies Board). The RTB protects your deposit and ensures you cannot be illegally evicted.

Always demand a Rent Book or monthly receipts — essential for claiming your €1,000 Rent Tax Credit at year end.

What is Emergency Tax?

In Ireland, the tax system is managed by Revenue. If your employer doesn't have your complete tax details when processing your first payslip, they are legally required to charge "Emergency Tax" — a flat rate of around 50% on everything you earned.

Why Does This Happen?

• You don't yet have a PPS Number assigned.
• You have a PPS Number but haven't registered it on the Revenue MyAccount site.
• You registered with Revenue but didn't link your new job/contract to your profile.

Step-by-Step to Stop Emergency Tax

1. Get your PPSN — it's the vital first step.

2. Create your "MyAccount" — go to revenue.ie. You'll receive a password by post within days.

3. Add your job — go to Add Job or Pension in the portal. Ask HR for the Employer Registration Number.

Once your job is "Active" in Revenue, they issue an updated RPN to your employer. The following month, you'll receive normal pay plus all the money that was wrongly withheld!

What You Need to Apply for PPSN?

Your Passport or ID Card is enough to prove identity. The challenge is the other two requirements:

• Proof of Address: If you're in a hostel or friend's house, the owner can write a signed letter confirming you reside there, attaching a utility bill in their name.
• Reason for applying: The strongest accepted reason is "Having a job offer". Ask the company that hired you for a headed letter stating you need the PPSN for payroll.

Other Valid Reasons

If you have children with you, you can apply for PPSN stating you need it to register the children in the Irish school system or to apply for Child Benefit.

The Problem with Traditional Banks

Banks like AIB or Bank of Ireland require utility bills in your name to prove Irish address. If bills are in the landlord's name, opening an account at these banks will be very difficult on arrival.

The Saviour: Revolut

The vast majority of new immigrants use Revolut to receive their first salaries. Revolut now provides an Irish IBAN (starting with IE) to its customers, eliminating friction with HR departments.

Want a Traditional Bank?

After registering your first job with Revenue, they will send you an official Tax Credit Certificate. Banks accept Revenue letters as proof of address — with that letter, you can go to AIB and open your physical account.

What It Is and Who Is Entitled?

Child Benefit is universal — it doesn't depend on parents' income. Any legal resident in Ireland is entitled.

How to Apply

• Step 1: Obtain the PPSN for the whole family.
• Step 2: Fill in the official CB1 form. An international birth certificate is required.
• Step 3: If one parent works in another EU country, fill in Form E411 to avoid double payments.

Rules for Young People (16–19)

The allowance is automatic until the child turns 16. After that, payment only continues if the young person is still in full-time secondary education.