Move back to Republic of Ireland but keep job in UK...is this possible??

[Mydogisanaughtyboy]

Used to live in ROI in the West and am seriously considering moving back there from the UK. I work remotely but for a UK company so not sure if I could continue to do this. I also do contract work remotely in UK as well through umbrella companies. I miss the slower pace of life and cheaper property costs amongst other things so would like to go back. Anyone able to give me advice/experiences?

You mean your friend continues to work for their Great Britain based company since Northern Ireland IS part of the UK itself.

But Northern Ireland would definitely make things a lot simpler for the OP. And the Republic is within easy travelling distance from anywhere in Northern Ireland too.

Down is the best part of Northern Ireland, but I am biased, ye see! 🤪

I was going to move to Ireland last year but cost of living is as bad as UK. Property price are high and found most of them poor build, public transport is awful if you don't live in Dublin, you really need a car. Apart that aspect lovely country.

It's not strictly cost of living that worries me - but property prices compared to where I am now and what I want in a house - no comparison. Much better value for money by about £100k in my price bracket. Plus in NI I would have many relatives eager to pitch in with advice! And come and have a nose..😁

Ohhh I always go on Property Pal for dream house shopping in NI. Fermanagh or Antrim coast would be lush. Or the Glens.

@biddyboo if you were in Cork, you'd just say Cork, and be delighted with being from Cork! No need to worry about the rest of the island, and what it might be called 😀
You really need a car unless you are in a city, getting to airports is difficult on public transport except from city centres.
We were in Co Antrim in September, had two glorious days and one day when it lashed. I think off season might be fairly miserable. But some amazing scenery in the sunshine.
Cavan and Leitrim are pretty.

Oh my goodness. Isn't this gorgeous? www.propertypal.com/ballinran-shore-road-rostrevor-newry/785269

It's amazing!! But waaaay outside budget 😂

I also love this one, equally stunning view, more reasonable price. www.propertypal.com/7-cairlinns-cove-rostrevor-newry/750778

I should stop really, I'm just tempting myself.

NI is beautiful. Great place to live.

We’Ve been dealing with the issue of staff working overseas during Covid while not in the office, and it’s a nightmare in terms of admin, employment contracts etc, to the point that a blanket ban had to be imposed. This is a very large multinational financial firm, and the only way we could function was to say that you must reside and work in the same country as your contract was in.

For my own staff, who I knew were in several other countries I told them that I had no intention of asking where they were, or of checking up on them, but that if they chose to disregard the rules and were found out that it was on them,

Thankfully my employer doesn't even have an office - we are all scattered across the UK and beyond! Very niche and cloud based so I'm quite lucky. What I'll do on the contracting side I font know but it can also be very diverse and flexible. Spoke to my mum last night about going over to NI for a visit next year and it's now turned into a 2 week jaunt with all the family! 😂

Oh wow, enjoy doing the research! Don't be talked in to anything by bossy relatives though.
(I'm projecting here!)

The tax is the issue - I shut down my UK Ltd company (I'm a freelancer) and set up an Irish one (really not that bad/hard) when I moved here, and I work through that for my various clients - who are all over the world.

VAT becomes a bit of a pain - the threshold is much lower in Ireland, and TBH, I'm still not completely clear on how it works between Ireland and the UK, but since I have no clients there I don't need to know right now. Between Ireland and the rest of Europe it's straightforward.

Get a pre-purchase survey done on any house as a property in Londonderry has become the first in Northern Ireland that's affected by mica. Hundreds of houses might be affected.

Good luck in your search in Northern Ireland next year!

OP, I moved from England to NI a few years ago, staying with the same employer. My only regret is that I wish I'd done it sooner.

I'd be happy to answer any questions.

I don't think you have much to worry about, half of Donegal work in Derry crossing the border daily, and vice a versa. So the tax regulations must be fixable Slight exaggeration possibly. Derry by the way is in the UK and the EU. though some may disagree with the last point.

I live in Ireland and work (mostly remotely) for my own company, which is based in the UK. Pay UK corporation tax but Irish personal tax, so I have to have two accountants, which does add to costs. My son gets disability benefits and we had to close these off in UK and apply in Ireland, which was easy.

If you can choose where to live I would just say rural west Galway is fantastic.

Re VAT, if your business is based in Ireland but the goods/services are all provided/supplied outside the EU (including in the UK) then they are not VATable. Mine are as the business is a UK-registered company.

what's mica ?

Mica, don't mention that here, my closest friend is going to have to demolish her much dreamed of, lovingly designed and built home because of the mica in the blocks. The government is not treating the families affected in co. mayo and Sligo with equity with the Dubliners. There's no insurance help and they all stand to lose their homes. It's heartbreaking and criminal.

Is that the same as pyrite?
Nearly bought an apartment ten years ago but report came back that it had pyrite

Mica and pyrite are naturally occurring minerals found in rocks. They aren't quite the same, but they do have very similar effects on concrete structures as both cause very significant cracks.

IIRC, mica isn't as hard as pyrite which is why it's a bigger, more expensive problem than pyrite.

From what I can tell, it's homes built during the Celtic Tiger era that buyers should be wary of going for. So, from 1995 to 2007.

Thanks! One thing I'm wondering about is the mortgage process....same as England? And purchasing property process? It's going to be a challenge when the time comes to view houses/make offers as I'd prefer not to rent first. Will really have to do my research....

Yes, pretty much identical process. The only difference I found was, if you make an offer the estate agent goes to all the under bidders to check if they want to go higher. But once your sale agreed then that’s it; no gazumping.

Ok that's really good to know. Will bear that in mind...