First Steps in Ireland - English

Of course, before I went to Ireland, I inquired exactly where to register and what to apply for to work in Ireland. Sadly, I did not found anything on the Internet.

The only thing I found (and understood) was that I have to get a PPSN. PPSN stands for Personal Public Services Number. This is comparable to the social security number in Germany. But where do you get these from?

I'm really lucky because my colleague helped me with my first steps. Otherwise I would have been relatively lost. To get his PPSN, you have to register online at https://www.mywelfare.ie/Account/Login and make an appointment. I waited only a week for my appointment, as I have often looked at the day, whether others have canceled their appointment and I could go earlier. I've heard from others that they've waited three weeks for their appointment.

At this appointment I had to fill out a sheet. I was asked for the normal personal information such as first name, last name, date of birth, etc. So there was nothing to prepare for. On the back of the sheet there is a box where you have to enter your previous social security number. From my two German roommates I have heard that they have not filled this and this was not a problem, but with my colleague was completely different. The lady she applied for the PPSN was very detailed and needed everything. So it depends on which employee you land. Afterwards, I had to leave my signature on a touchpad and the employee took a photo from myself for the card. The card with the PPSN will then be mailed to your address within 5-7 business days. After that I was already finished. I had the feeling that I was really fast and that I did not have to wait, but as I said, from some I also heard that they had to wait for a long time.

Meanwhile, the PPSN card has arrived. The next step is to sign me up online as a taxpayer at https://www.revenue.ie/en/Home.aspx. This step is quite a bit lengthy, as I first have to verify my account, which I created on https://www.mywelfare.ie/Account/Login. You have to specify online your PPSN and the number of the card. You will then be notified that your verification code will be sent to you by post. That means: wait even longer ...

After a week I had the letter in my mailbox. There was then the verification code on it. So I finally verified my account on MyGovID. This gave me the opportunity to sign up for revenue.ie and enter my new job at cpl in my account. Now, Cpl should get the revenue.ie report that I am a taxpayer and the first deducted emergency taxes should be reckoned on the next payroll.

I also had to set up an Irish bank account for my work. My colleague went to a bank, the KBC Bank, nearby, where I made an appointment to open a bank account.

You also need your ID card, employment contract and tenancy letter from the company where you work.

The bank appointment was faster than expected. Of course, banks want to sell their products, but I had a very nice advisor who immediately realized I was not from here. I said right at the beginning that I only want a standard account and nothing special. She has entered my personal information into her system and a copy of my ID and tenancy agreement. In the next few days I should then receive by mail my Irish bank card. Since I have a German mobile phone number, I can not do online banking through the app on my mobile phone, but the counselor told me that she will send me the link via email and then I can set up everything via the laptop.

I am glad that I finally have these important things behind me and I have to say that I was damn lucky with everything!

#Work #Travel #Ireland