Moving to Ireland!
What you need to know.
- Register to work in Ireland
Nurses and Midwives who are registered in countries outside of the Republic of Ireland need to apply for registration with An Bord Altranais, the Irish nursing board, before they can practise in Ireland.
There are seven divisions in the Irish Register of Nurses. These are:
- Registered General Nurse
- Registered Psychiatric Nurse
- Registered Sick Children's Nurse
- Registered Mental Handicap Nurse
- Registered Midwife
- Registered Public Health Nurse
- Registered Nurse Tutor
Applications for Registration costs €175.
Information, documentation and application forms can be accessed at www.nursingboard.ie
In July 2003, An Bord Altranais developed new policies regarding the eligibility of nurses from overseas to register. An information booklet for overseas nurses, including applicants within EU member states who do not qualify under EU Directives is available in the registration section at www.nursingboard.ie
Overseas Nurses registered under EU Directives.
You will need evidence / confirmation of your qualifications from your Registration Authority.
Under EC Directives 77/452/EC and 77/453/EC, general nurses who trained outside of Ireland but in another EU member state may gain entry to the Irish Register of Nurses through either of the following routes:
- You have trained under the EU Syllabus for general nursing
Or - You have practised in the capacity of a first level general nurse for three of the five years immediately preceding your application for registration with An Bord Altranais.
Under EC Directives 80/154/EC and 80/155/EC, Midwives who trained outside of Ireland but in another EU member state may apply for registration with An Bord Altranais if they meet the following requirements:
- You have trained under the EU Syllabus for midwifery
- You have practised as a midwife for three of the five years preceding your application to the Irish Register of Nurses.
Or
Non EU Overseas Nurses.
EEA nationals do not need a permit to work in Ireland, but in general non EEA nationals will require an employment permit. If you want to apply for registration as a nurse in Ireland, but are not a national of an EU member state, you can apply for a visa or work authorisation/employment permit through the Irish Embassy/Consulate in your own country or by contacting:
Consular Section,
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Hainault House,
St. Stephen's Green,
Dublin 2.
Telephone: +353 1 478 0822
(Monday to Friday from 14.30 to 16.00).
(*European Economic Area comprises EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.)
The Employment Permits Act 2006 sets out new procedures relating to the application, grant and refusal of work permits. These changes are to come into effect in January 2007.Information regarding this scheme can be accessed at:
