A guide to living in
Ireland
for doctors
Are you planning on living in Ireland?
We’ve put together a guide to help you on your way.
Ireland destination guide for doctors
2
So you want to work in Ireland? To help
you, we’ve put together an informative
guide to help you on your way.
CONTENTS
1. AN INTRODUCTION TO IRELAND’S
MEDICAL COUNCIL
03
2. INFORMATION ABOUT TAKING OET
AS PROOF OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
05
3. INTRODUCTION TO WORKING
AND LIVING IN IRELAND
07
4. USEFUL LINKS
13
5. CONTACT US
13
The first thing you need to know is that doctors
who want to work in Ireland must register with
the Medical Council.
To do so, overseas-trained doctors must first take
an English test such as OET, which proves they
have the right level of English.
Alongside registration, you’ll have to think about
applying for a work visa, registering for tax and
arranging accommodation and a bank account.
It might seem a bit overwhelming right now, but if
you take it one step at a time and do your research,
you can live your dream of working in Ireland.
Ireland destination guide for doctors
01. An Introduction to the
Medical Council of Ireland
AN INTRODUCTION TO
THE MEDICAL COUNCIL
OF IRELAND
The Medical Council regulates medical
doctors in the Republic of Ireland.
It’s responsible for making sure doctors
have the right training, education and
skills, including English language skills,
to do their job well.
01
1. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WORK IN THE UK
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Ireland destination guide for doctors
All doctors must
register with
the Medical
Council to work
in Ireland
It has strict requirements for medical qualifications
and you must provide proof that your English is at
the right level. For more information, have a look
at their website.
You can take OET to prove to the Medical Council
that your English is good enough to register and
work in Ireland.
All nurses and midwives wanting to work in Ireland
must first register with the Medical Council.
Find out how to register with the Medical Council
here: www.medicalcouncil.ie/registrationapplications/
01. An Introduction to the
Medical Council of Ireland
4
Ireland destination guide for doctors
02. Information about taking OET
as proof of English proficiency
INFORMATION ABOUT
TAKING OET AS
PROOF OF ENGLISH
PROFICIENCY
If you studied medicine overseas,
you will need to take an English
test to register and work in Ireland.
We recommend OET, an international
English language test that assesses
the language proficiency of healthcare
professionals who want to register
and practise in an English-speaking
environment.
02
1. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WORK IN THE UK
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Ireland destination guide for doctors
02. Information about taking OET
as proof of English proficiency
Why do doctors
choose OET?
You can find more
on the OET website:
Doctors who want to work in Ireland choose
OET for many reasons, including:
Why choose OET?
Who accepts OET as proof of English proficiency?
OET is recognised by the Medical Council
of Ireland
OET helps you prove you have the right
level of English, while at the same time
learning the kind of language you’ll need
every day at work
What’s in the test
How is OET scored?
Where and when can I take OET?
How do I apply to take OET?
OET uses real healthcare scenarios so
you’ll feel more confident on test day
OET is widely recognised and
well respected
It’s easy to prepare for the test using
OET’s preparation materials
How can I prepare for test?
Shop for OET preparation materials
Success stories
OET tests all four
language skills:
Listening
Listening
Writing
Writing
Reading
Reading
Speaking
Speaking
Writing
Writing
Speaking
Speaking
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Ireland destination guide for doctors
03. Introduction to living in Ireland
INTRODUCTION TO
LIVING IN IRELAND
Moving to a new country and starting
anew life is exciting and nerve-racking
at the same time. Our recommendation
is to do as much research as possible
before you arrive – the more prepared
you are, the smoother your transition
will be. Below you will find some
pointers on what you need to do,
where to go to apply and explanation
of some systems and terms you might
not be familiar with.
CONTENTS
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An overview of Ireland
Utility Bills
Why move?
Transport
Irish Culture
Bank Account
Popular Destinations
in Ireland
Language
Climate
Living in Ireland
Finding Accommodation
03
1. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WORK IN THE UK
Ireland destination guide for doctors
03. Introduction to living in Ireland
An overview
of Ireland
Quick facts
LANGUAGE
ENGLISH, IRISH
Ireland is a European country situated on the
geographical island of Ireland. Consisting of 26
counties, Ireland is a parliamentary democracy
headed by a President and lead by a Taoiseach
(Prime Minister).
CAPITAL
In the 1920s, Ireland emerged from almost seven
centuries of English colonial rule, which was
marked by violence and struggle, cumulating to the
“Troubles” in the 1960s.
LARGEST CITY
Since then, Ireland joined the EU and has become
one of Europe’s strongest economies. Ireland is now
home to several large multinational headquarters,
including Google, Facebook and Microsoft.
DUBLIN
DUBLIN
POPULATION
5 MILLION
CURRENCY
EURO (EUR)
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Ireland destination guide for doctors
03. Introduction to living in Ireland
9
Why move?
People
Culture
The Irish are known around the world for their
intelligence, humour and warmth. Whether you’re
bonding over a pint of Guinness or looking after
an Irish patient, you will enjoy every minute of it.
Ireland has unique culture to the rest of the world.
Due to years of hardship, humour is especially important
to the Irish. They’ve produced several great stand-up
comedians and are always quick to make a joke.
Natural beauty
Healthcare
Ireland is not called the Emerald Isle for nothing.
Rolling hills and wide vales of green are ubiquitous
throughout Ireland. With six national parks dotted
across the island, there are plenty of places to enjoy
the sheer beauty.
Ireland’s healthcare system is a mixture of private
and public coverage. Ranked 11th out of 195 countries
by medical journal The Lancet, the Irish system provides
quality and effective patient-centred care.
Did you know?
33.3% OF
IRELAND’S
POPULATION IS
UNDER 25, THE
YOUNGEST IN
EUROPE!
Ireland is a great destination for healthcare workers.
It is a young, vibrant country, frequently cited for its
many employment opportunities and its excellent
healthcare system. But that’s not the only reason you
should consider it.
Ireland destination guide for doctors
03. Introduction to living in Ireland
10
Irish Culture
Religious
International
Christianity has been in Ireland for over 1,500 years.
Four out of five Irish people identify as Christian and
one in three attend church. The Church is deeply
entwinned in all aspects of Irish life; it runs many
of the country’s schools and hospitals.
Around the world, almost 70 million people identify
as Irish. There has always been a strong connection
between Ireland and its overseas community. It is
reflected in the its constitution and by the fact they
have a Ministry of Diaspora.
The Arts
Gaelic Sports
For such a small population, Ireland has had a huge
influence on the world’s arts. Oscar Wilde and
James Joyce are just two of the famous Irish cohort.
With a foundation of traditional lore, Ireland’s great
artists have enriched the world with their talents.
While folklore tends to be the focus when people talk
about Irish culture, it’s Gaelic sports that truly brings
people together in Ireland. Hurling and Gaelic football
are more popular than rugby and football, with over
a million people tuning in to the All-Ireland hurling final.
Did you know?
GAELIC IS
IRELAND’S
ONLY
NATIONAL
LANGUAGE
Irish culture is not one thing but rather a collection
of subcultures driven by emigration, multiculturalism
and the changing times. However, there are some
dominant themes.
Ireland destination guide for doctors
03. Introduction to living in Ireland
11
Popular Destinations
Dublin
Kinsale
Dublin is Ireland’s cosmopolitan city. You’ll find
delicious food from all over the world and you’ll
never run out of activities. It’s also home to people
from around Ireland. You will hear the melodic accent
of Cork, the fast and furious Kerry accent.
In the same county as Cork, Kinsale is the perfect
example of a quaint costal town. It’s a picturesque
location is matched by its vivid history. You can explore
the start-shaped Charles Fort on the River Brandon
or take a 30-minute trip to Cork City.
Galway
Waterford
Located on the river Corrib, Galway is the cultural
heart of Ireland. With its beautiful cobble streets and
ubiquitous rows of candy-coloured house, Galway
will steal your heart. It’s only short journey from the
Aran Islands, so there’s plenty of history alongside
the city’s contemporary arts scene.
Boasting over 1,000 years of history, Ireland’s fifthlargest city is full of surprises. Alongside, its worldfamous crystal industry, you’ll find a host of craftmanship
that embody the city’s artisan spirit.
Cork City
Located 12 kilometres from Dublin’s CBD, it offers the
best bits of Dublin without the capital’s frantic pace.
In the summer, it’s the perfect place to grab an ice
cream and stroll along waterfront or jump of the worldfamous 40-foot.
Further south, you will find Cork. Situated among
some of Ireland’s most beautiful countryside there,
the “official capital” is known for its thriving food
scene and independent spirit.
Dún Laoghaire (Pronounced Dun-Leery)
Did you know?
IRELAND’S
CAPITAL
DUBLIN
STARTED OUT
AS A VIKING
SETTLEMENT!
Ireland destination guide for doctors
03. Introduction to living in Ireland
Finding accommodation
Getting around
You can rent an entire dwelling and there are several
options listed below. Usually rented accommodation
is fully furnished, and this is clearly stated in the
advert. In Ireland tenants have specific rights and
responsibilities, which you can view on this website.
Transport can be time consuming and expensive, so you
will need to investigate how long it takes to get to work
from your selected accommodation. Find out if it is near
a train station, bus line or if you are able to walk and
then use a mapping website to work out your route.
Types of accommodation:
When you first arrive, make sure you have enough funds
to pay the following initial costs before you start work:
Studios have a bed, sofa and kitchen all in one room
with a separate bathroom
Flats are apartments with one or more separate bedrooms
and usually several flats share a common entrance from
the street
Houses and maisonettes have their own entrance
from the street
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Temporary accommodation when you arrive
Bond/deposit and your first month’s rent –
rent is paid in advance
Mobile phone and internet access
Council tax
Shared accommodation (a room in a house sharing a
kitchen, bathroom and lounge)
Start looking for houses in the area you before you
move and get an idea of rent and the areas you would
like to live. You may need to stay in hotels or backpacker
hostels when you first arrive, so you can inspect
accommodation and make an application to rent.
Utility bills
Water, gas and electric bills will normally need to be
paid monthly. To find out more, take a look at the
energy company websites and compare them to see
which suits your needs best.
Transport
You may need to rely on public transport to commute to
work and you can use the following links to get an idea
of the cost and time of travel:
Transport
Food
Bank accounts
Your salary will be paid into an Irish bank account.
To open a bank account in Ireland, in most cases,
you will be required to provide proof of identity and
proof of an Ireland address (for example a utility bill
or rental contract). To find the best bank for your
purposes, visit different Irish bank websites and make
sure you understand the benefits, terms and conditions
of your selected bank account before you apply.
Language
The languages spoken in Ireland are mainly English
and Irish Gaelic.
Climate
Train Services: irishrail.ie
Bus Services: buseireann.ie
Temperatures range between 6 degrees Celsius
in the winter and 25 degrees in the summer.
Rain is common and occurs throughout the year.
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Ireland destination guide for doctors
04. Useful links
05. Contact Us
USEFUL LINKS
CONTACT US
OET
If you have a question about OET,
go to our Helpdesk.
Prepare for OET
Sources
Ireland in Brief
IDA Ireland
Citizen information, Ireland
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Ireland destination guide for doctors
IRELAND DESTINATION
GUIDE FOR DOCTORS
Postal address
OET
PO Box 16136
Collins St West
Melbourne, VIC 8007
Australia
Telephone
AUS +61 3 8658 3963
UK +44 1202 037333
US +1 855 585 0125
Website
oet.com
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