Eligible EU/EEA, Swiss and UK students pay no tuition for a first undergraduate degree at a public institution in Ireland – only a Student Contribution of at most €2,500 a year (2026/27); non-EU fees are usually €9,850–25,500. Programmes are taught almost entirely in English at 7 universities, 5 technological universities and other public institutions. See how CAO applications work and what Dublin costs.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens don't need a visa or immigration permission – an ID card or passport is enough. Bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Students from outside the EU/EEA need permission to study (Stamp 2). If you are from a visa-required country, you apply for a long-term study visa online (AVATS) from your home country or country of residence, no earlier than 3 months before you travel; a decision takes around 8 weeks. You will need, among other things, a letter of acceptance for a full-time course, proof that you have paid your fees (in full if they are under €6,000, otherwise at least €6,000), private medical insurance, a passport valid for at least 12 months and proof of access to €10,000 for a year of study (since 30 June 2025; €833 a month for stays of 6–8 months). If you don't need a visa, you show the same documents after arrival. All non-EU students who stay longer than 90 days must register their immigration permission after arrival – the fee is €300 – and receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. The procedure takes time, so Study in Europe advises applying early.
If you have lived outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK in recent years, check the residence condition of the Free Fees Initiative (see: Tuition fees).
Sources: European Commission – Study in Europe (education.ec.europa.eu/study-in-europe), Eurostat, official national study and residence portals and authorities, Eurodesk, enic-naric.net, studentnews.eu. As of September 2026.
EN 
CS
DE
ES
FR
HU
IT
PL
PT
РУ
SK
TR
УК
AR
中文