Show Notes
It’s hard enough to get yourself organised to fly back to Ireland, but you need to start thinking about buying a car almost before anything else! The insurance, licensing, and timing it just right… there’s so much to think about! Over the next two episodes, I’m joined by John Healy of Healy’s Insurances, an expert with over 25 years of experience in insuring cars, homes and more. Healy’s Insurances is well-known in expat circles for helping people navigate the quirks of the Irish insurance market (though most notably for Mary Doyle, or “Mary of Healy’s!”). In this Part 1 episode, we chat about everything from the importance of your no-claims bonus, how to handle foreign licenses, and what you need to know about timelines for securing car insurance when you move to Ireland. It’s the best starting point for anyone who hasn’t bought or insured a car in Ireland, and you’ll have even more to look forward to in the next episode! Main Topics: Your No-Claims Bonus is Key: This one-page document detailing your claims-free driving history is essential for securing competitive insurance rates in Ireland. Start organizing this early, as the policy must be canceled in your home country before the bonus is issued. You Can Drive Temporarily on a Foreign License: Expats can use a foreign license for up to 12 months, but you'll need to exchange or replace it with an Irish license if you’re staying longer. The process varies based on your country of origin—U.S. license holders, for instance, face additional steps. Budget for Licensing and Driving Lessons: If you're coming from the U.S., you'll need to pass a theory test and complete six driving lessons before taking the Irish driving test. Lessons can cost €40–€70 per session, depending on your location. Timelines Matter: Insurance renewals can become tricky if you haven’t secured your Irish license within the first 12 months. Be proactive—schedule your licensing appointments as soon as possible to avoid delays. A Tailored Approach to Insurance: Irish insurers often specialize in certain customer profiles. Expats with foreign licenses may find fewer insurers willing to quote, but brokers like Healy’s can help navigate these nuances and secure the best deal.
Contact Healys for Insurance today: Email: [email protected] ***** If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/book-a-consult/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=CaptivateFM&utm_campaign=episode. Mentioned in this episode: Check out ExpatTaxes.ie to get your Tax sorted!
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Irish tax residency for expats is only one part of the picture when moving countries. In this episode, Stephanie Wickham speaks with Australian expat Matthew Bliss about the difference between tax residency and immigration residence in Ireland, planning around citizenship and reckonable residence, and the reality of keeping an Australian rental property while living here. They also discuss foreign rental income, cross-border tax returns and the practical workload that comes with managing property from the other side of the world. They also discuss reckonable residence and why someone planning for citizenship needs to think carefully about time spent outside Ireland. Matthew describes the administrative side of the process and the difficulty of finding a simple answer when immigration information is spread across multiple official resources. For anyone moving to Ireland while retaining a rental property abroad, cross-border planning works better when both countries are considered together. Tax residency, foreign rental income, overseas filing obligations... Sorting out those questions before you move generally gives you considerably more room to plan than trying to reconstruct the position afterwards. Get in touch with Matthew Bliss LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bliss/ Website: https://www.mbpod.com/ "From My Home to Yours Podcast": https://fmhtypodcast.com/ ***** Use the link below and quote "Expat Taxes" when registering with Currencies Direct to receive a €50 One4All or Amazon voucher when you transfer €5000 or more in your first six months with Currencies Direct. *Click here for a special offer from our sponsor, Currencies Direct* ***** If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/book-a-consult/. ***** Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Taxbytes for Expats (00:50) Irish Residency, Marriage Visas and Immigration (03:08) Planning for Irish Citizenship and Naturalisation (04:39) Tax Residency vs Immigration Residency in Ireland (05:57) Immigration Advice and Getting the Rules Right (08:36) Sponsor Message: Currencies Direct (09:22) Managing an Australian Rental Property from Ireland (10:23) Time Zones, Tenants and Property Management Challenges (12:03) Choosing a Reliable Property Agent Abroad (13:19) Australian Tax Returns and Foreign Rental Income (14:29) Cross-Border Tax, Remittances and Non-Resident Obligations (15:47) Mortgage Administration and the Realities of Overseas Property Ownership
Moving to Ireland involves quite a bit of practical life admin that is easy to overlook before the boxes are packed. In this episode, Stephanie Wickham speaks with Taxbytes for Expats producer Matthew Bliss about his experience moving from Australia to Ireland. They cover keeping an overseas phone number, managing multi-factor authentication and bank access, setting up an Irish SIM, exchanging a foreign driving licence and using an overseas no claims history for Irish car insurance. Matthew Bliss is the producer of Taxbytes for Expats and an Australian expat who has been living in Ireland for more than three years. Working behind the scenes on the podcast has given him an unusual perspective. He has heard plenty of professional advice about relocating internationally, while also dealing with the decidedly less glamorous practicalities himself. You will learn why retaining access to your existing overseas phone number can matter, particularly for banking and account security, and why multi-factor authentication should be reviewed before you leave your home country. The episode also explains the practical benefits of dual SIM phones, how an Irish number can be added alongside an existing number and why relying exclusively on SMS security codes can create problems later. Get in touch with Matthew Bliss LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bliss/ Website: https://www.mbpod.com/ Daily Journal: https://journal.matthewbliss.net/ ***** Use the link below and quote "Expat Taxes" when registering with Currencies Direct to receive a €50 One4All or Amazon voucher when you transfer €5000 or more in your first six months with Currencies Direct. *Click here for a special offer from our sponsor, Currencies Direct* ***** If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/book-a-consult/. ***** Chapters: (00:00) Welcome Back to Matthew Bliss (02:29) Moving to Ireland: Practical Life Admin (03:18) Irish SIMs, Dual SIM Phones and Keeping Your Old Number (07:09) WhatsApp, Contacts and Staying Connected Abroad (09:18) Bank Access and Losing Your Overseas SIM (10:10) Multi-Factor Authentication for Expats (14:10) Sponsor: Currencies Direct (15:12) Driving in Ireland on an Australian Licence (17:29) No Claims Bonus and Irish Car Insurance (18:44) Does Exchanging Your License Cancel It Back Home?
Ordinary residency in Ireland can have important tax consequences, particularly for people planning to leave the country after several years of Irish tax residence. In this episode, Stephanie Wickham explains how ordinary residency differs from tax residency, when it begins and ends, and why it can keep certain income and gains within the Irish tax net after departure. She also looks at Double Taxation Agreements, treaty residence, temporary non-residency rules and why advance tax planning matters before selling an asset or business. For expats, returning Irish residents, founders and investors with cross-border assets, timing can make a real difference. If you are planning to leave Ireland and expect a significant transaction after departure, it is worth reviewing your tax residency, ordinary residency, domicile and treaty position before the move or disposal takes place. About the Host Stephanie Wickham is a Chartered Tax Adviser and Chartered Accountant and the founder of Expat Taxes. She specialises in Irish and international tax matters affecting expats, returning Irish emigrants and people with ongoing cross-border tax obligations. Her own experience of living in Australia for eight years before returning to Ireland also gives her a very practical understanding of what an international move involves beyond the tax return. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-wickham-b4aba13b/ Website: https://expattaxes.ie/
Preliminary tax in Ireland can catch expats by surprise, particularly when they file their first Irish tax return. In this solo episode, Stephanie Wickham explains who may need to pay preliminary tax, how the payment is calculated and why cash-flow planning matters. She covers the rules for chargeable persons, the different bases available for calculating preliminary tax, Revenue filing deadlines and some of the practical payment issues that arise when income or funds are coming from overseas. For expats, the wider lesson is to look at Irish tax obligations before the filing deadline is approaching. Foreign income, self-employment, overseas tax payments and the timing of a move to or from Ireland can all affect the position. A relatively small amount of planning earlier in the year can make a real difference. About the Host Stephanie Wickham is a Chartered Tax Adviser and Chartered Accountant and the founder of Expat Taxes. She specialises in Irish and international tax matters affecting expats, returning Irish emigrants and people with ongoing cross-border tax obligations. Her own experience of living in Australia for eight years before returning to Ireland also gives her a very practical understanding of what an international move involves beyond the tax return. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-wickham-b4aba13b/ Website: https://expattaxes.ie/
This is a guest episode of "Ask About Wealth" where Stephanie Wickham talks about tax planning for expats with Paul Overy. To find out more, head to AskAboutWealth.ie. Tax planning for expats in Ireland can make a significant difference before an international move takes place. In this guest episode of Ask About Wealth, Stephanie Wickham explains how Irish tax residency, ordinary residence and domicile affect people leaving Ireland, returning home or moving here for the first time. She also discusses the remittance basis of taxation, Double Taxation Agreements, foreign income and investments, and why taking advice before relocating can help avoid unexpected Irish tax liabilities. About the Guest Stephanie Wickham is a Chartered Tax Adviser and Chartered Accountant and the founder of Expat Taxes. She specialises in Irish and international tax matters affecting expats, returning Irish emigrants and people with ongoing cross-border tax obligations. Her own experience of living in Australia for eight years before returning to Ireland also gives her a very practical understanding of what an international move involves beyond the tax return. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-wickham-b4aba13b/ Website: https://expattaxes.ie/