Spending on groceries
Another major cost of living in Ireland is food. The price level of many foods in Ireland is not much higher than in Germany. The average spending on groceries is around EUR 70 to EUR 100 per week.
The exact costs for the daily catering depend on the individual lifestyle. Many universities have a cafeteria or cafés on campus. The range of takeaways and restaurants is particularly extensive in the larger cities. A good place to go for a tasty and cheap lunch is usually the local pub.
Cooking yourself is more money-saving than eating outside on a regular basis. German discounters are now widespread in Ireland. A cheap alternative to the supermarket is the local weekly market, especially for staple foods and fruit or vegetables. Meat is cheapest at the butcher.
The following shopping cart lists the prices for typical groceries in Ireland as an example:
| Product | Average price |
| 1.5L water | EUR 1.27 |
| 1L milk | EUR 1.01 |
| 12 eggs | EUR 2.61 |
| 500g corn flakes | EUR 3.00 |
| 1kg of bananas | EUR 1.55 |
| 1kg cheese from the region | EUR 9.73 |
| 100g pork sausages | EUR 0.70 |
| 1kg potatoes | EUR 1.43 |
| Soda bread | EUR 1.50 |
Leisure and entertainment costs in Ireland
The cost of living in Ireland also depends on the individual leisure time a b. Live bands play regularly in Irish pubs and pub quizzes invite you to take a guess. Students don’t just spend their money on Guinness or cider in Irish pubs. Traditional and new music can be found at various festivals and events across the country. On guided tours to historical places, visitors gain insights into the culture and history of the island state. Ireland is also a paradise for kitesurfing and other (extreme) water sports.
Inexpensive leisure activities are hikes or walks through the beautiful landscapes. Another highlight is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin on March 17th. Through the contribution fees, students finance the extensive campus life in Ireland with the many societies and clubs in which they participate after the lectures.
The College Card or International Student Identity Card (ISIC) helps students to get discounts, for example in the bookstore, cinema or theater. There is also often a student night in the clubs and bars during the week.
| Company | Costs |
| Cinema ticket | EUR 10.00 |
| Eat in a cheap restaurant | EUR 14.97 |
| Day tour to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin | EUR 40.00 |
| 1 ticket for a hurling game | EUR 20.00 |
| Guinness (500 ml) | EUR 5.00 |
Communication in Ireland: save costs
While studying abroad, communication with loved ones at home and new friends on site is another cost factor. The abolition of roaming charges in the summer of 2017 will reduce the costs of Internet use, SMS and telephony for EU citizens who use their provider from home. However, this is not a permanent solution for a longer stay abroad in Ireland. To learn more about the country of Ireland and continent of Europe, please follow insidewatch.
In addition to the state telephone company Eircom, Sky, UPC and Vodafone, we offer contracts with Internet, telephony and television. Prepaid SIM cards are an inexpensive alternative to a usually two-year contract. These are also available from supermarkets such as Tesco. The monthly costs for communication are between EUR 20 and EUR 50.
Public WiFi is usually available in shopping centers, libraries, hotels or cafés. VoIP services such as Skype, Facebook or Whatsapp are also inexpensive ways to make calls.
Sick while studying abroad? Treatment and medication costs
If the worst comes to the worst, it is advisable to allow a portion of the estimated cost of living in Ireland for medication or medical care. Around EUR 20 per month is sufficient for this. If you live in Ireland as a compulsorily insured EU citizen, you can get prescription drugs and treatments for free or at a reduced price. Medicines are available from the pharmacy for a small prescription fee. As in German pharmacies, the employees advise and pay attention to the interactions between different drugs.
EU citizens receive free medical treatment from a contracted doctor of HSE Primary Care. After an inpatient stay in a private hospital, patients receive an invoice that they either settle themselves or through a private health insurance company.
A foreign health insurance in Ireland is especially useful to finance a possible repatriation.
