While Ireland has at times been a place of net outward migration, the trend has been reversed over the last decade.

Migration into Ireland isn’t just people returning home to live and work in the country; with more than 31,000 Irish people doing just that in 2025, there has also been a surge in Americans relocating here (96% increase – to just under 10,000 last year), alongside European and UK citizens.

The economy has flourished by remaining within the European Union, with exceptional GDP growth of 12.3% in 2025.

For those who are choosing to live in Ireland, the buoyant economy is not the only attraction. Compared to the current political situation in the United States, the UK, and parts of Europe, the country is currently in a relatively stable position. Ireland’s cities are thriving, and we are blessed with an abundance of beautiful heritage properties, picturesque landscapes and a cooler climate than our warmer neighbours on the continent.

Relocation and Insurance

If you are returning or relocating to Ireland from another geographical area, what are the crucial considerations to think about when it comes to property or personal insurance?

Check the Flood and Subsidence Risk in the area you are planning to relocate to

With the escalating changes in climate, the Office of Public Works in Ireland reviews flood risk across the country, creating detailed predictions for possible flooding through flood maps which are regularly updated. This can be a very useful starting point when you are considering areas to move to, although you may find that, with the quickening pace of climate change, some locations are frequently under review, so flood predictions are not always immediately available. You can also request a more detailed Risk Report on a specific property through RiskReport.ie. These individual reports will look at a variety of risk issues from flood and subsidence to heritage restrictions and noise pollution.

Relocating to a Period Property? – Is it in a Conservation Area or is it a Protected Structure

If you are relocating to one of Ireland’s beautiful period properties, finding out if it is registered as a protected structure or in a conservation area is probably one of your first considerations. Every County and City Council will have a register of Protected Structures, and there is also a National Inventory of Protected Structures where you can search for a specific property.

Protected structures come with certain legal responsibilities which are designed to help preserve the special architectural features of the building. This means that if something happens, such as a water leak, fire, or storm damage, you are legally obliged to reinstate the property exactly as it was.

Make sure you have an accurate rebuild value to avoid underinsurance.

With contemporary houses, it is relatively straightforward to estimate a rebuild value for insurance, but the rebuild value of a period property is usually more than the market value, even in areas like Dublin where property prices are high, this is because rebuilding or repairing a period property requires specialist materials and craftspeople. It is very important to have an accurate rebuild valuation for insurance of a period property because if you are underinsured and need to make a claim, some insurers will reduce the settlement by the same percentage; this means you will be out of pocket and you won’t receive enough money to reinstate your property.

Reducing Risk in your new home

While it is important to have the right insurance in place rather than the cheapest, most of us would want to avoid claims altogether to keep our premiums down year on year and protect our possessions and assets. If you are relocating to a modern home, you don’t need to consider the age of wiring in the same way as you do with a period property; trace and access insurance for water leaks is important – as undetected leaks can cause serious damage. Fire, smoke, burglar and other monitored systems such as water leak alarms are now a requirement by some insurers rather than a recommendation. If you have rewired your property, replaced a consumer unit, or changed the wiring because of an extension, you will need a completion certificate by a registered electrical contractor for your insurer. If you have open fires or wood burners, these should be swept and checked by a professional once or twice a year.

Surveys and Renovations When You Relocate

Once you have found your new home, you will usually have a survey as part of the purchasing process. It is helpful to ask for both a more detailed structural survey to help you identify areas that require urgent attention, and a rebuild valuation.

If you do decide to undertake major renovations or a large extension project, you need to check the upper limit of building works cover that your insurer will accept. If you don’t inform your insurer or broker about building works that you undertake, you may inadvertently invalidate your insurance. You should not rely on the contractor’s insurance to protect you. Contractor policies are not designed to protect the existing dwelling during building works and you need to be aware of the contractual obligations contained in any formal building contract you have in place.

As a broker, we would recommend looking at a separate building works or renovation policy; this protects you, for example, if your contractor walks off site, goes bankrupt, or is negligent. If you live in a terraced house, you should also include non-negligence cover or party wall protection, which will protect neighbouring properties and enable you to settle structural claims if they arise from work you have carried out.

If you own a Protected Structure, you also need to seek formal consent from your local conservation officer before making any alterations and keep a copy of the consent as this is important from an insurance compliance and claims perspective.

How is your Car insurance affected in Ireland if you have an overseas Car Licence and Insurance?

Car insurance can be more complicated to arrange if you have a non-EU driving licence, and it may be worth speaking to a specialist broker to find the best means of transferring a no claims history. Your vehicles must have an NCT certificate and be taxed, registered (NVDF – the National Vehicle and Driver file) and insured before you are allowed to drive on Ireland’s roads.

If you have high value or classic vehicles, multiple cars or a collection and different family members driving different vehicles a broker can help you navigate the range of options on insurance.

Can Travel Be Incorporated into Your Home Insurance Once You Relocate?

If you have relocated from your home country, you may find that you want to schedule more regular trips to see your family and friends. Rather than buying lots of separate travel policies, some household policies will incorporate travel cover as part of your household insurance, which can simplify your approach to insurance and provide a significant cost saving.

With a growing trend in people relocating to Ireland at Castleacre, we are always happy to advise on different risk and insurance considerations and help you find the most competitive cover for your needs.