Last updated: October 2026. Figures checked against the sources listed at the end.
Short answer: as an international student in 2026, plan on roughly €1,350 to €1,750 a month in Dublin and €1,100 to €1,500 a month in Cork, Galway or Limerick, before tuition. Rent is most of the difference, and rent is also the part most likely to surprise you.
That is noticeably more than the €10,000 a year immigration asks you to show, which works out at about €833 a month. The €10,000 is a minimum for your visa, not a budget. This guide shows where the real money goes, city by city, so you can plan for the number you will actually spend.
A realistic monthly budget
These are monthly figures for a single student sharing accommodation and cooking most meals. They are estimates built from the rent data and fares below, so treat them as a planning range rather than a promise.
| Dublin | Cork, Galway, Limerick | |
|---|---|---|
| Room in shared accommodation | €900–€1,000 | €690–€780 |
| Food and groceries | €250–€350 | €250–€350 |
| Transport (student fares) | up to about €52 | €30–€50 |
| Bills, if not included in rent | €50–€100 | €50–€100 |
| Phone (SIM-only) | €15–€25 | €15–€25 |
| Personal and social | €100–€200 | €100–€200 |
| Total per month | €1,350–€1,750 | €1,100–€1,500 |
| Over 12 months | €16,200–€21,000 | €13,200–€18,000 |
Most taught master’s programmes in Ireland run for about twelve months, so the twelve-month line is the one to plan around, not an academic-year figure.
Rent: the number that decides your budget
According to the Daft.ie Rental Report for the first quarter of 2026, the average listed room was about €918 to €1,007 a month in Dublin depending on the area, €757 in Cork city, €773 in Galway city and €687 in Limerick city. Rents in Galway and Cork rose by double digits over the year, so if anything these numbers will be higher by the time you arrive.
Purpose-built student accommodation
Student residences are convenient and usually include bills and Wi-Fi, but they are not cheaper. In Dublin, expect roughly €900 to €1,400 a month, often paid in two or three large instalments rather than monthly. In Galway, shared rooms are commonly around €130 to €180 a week, with en-suite rooms in private halls costing considerably more. Check the provider’s own price list for your exact year, because prices are set annually.
How to avoid the most expensive mistakes
- Start looking early. Residences often open bookings three to six months before term, and the cheapest rooms go first.
- Never pay a deposit for a room you have not seen, in person or on a live video call with someone who can prove they have the keys. Rental scams aimed at incoming students are common every August.
- Budget for the deposit. Most private lets ask for a deposit, often a month’s rent, plus the first month in advance. That can mean finding two months’ rent in your first week.
- Look beyond the city centre. A room further out on a good bus route can save more than the extra fares cost.
Getting around
Get a Student Leap Card as soon as you can. In Dublin, students pay half the adult fare: the TFI 90 Minute Fare is €1, and student fares are capped at €3 a day and €12 a week across Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and commuter rail. Even if you travel every day, Dublin transport tops out at around €52 a month.
Outside Dublin, the cities are smaller and many students walk or cycle. A second-hand bike is often the best money you will spend in Cork, Galway or Limerick.
Food and everyday shopping
Groceries are where your own habits matter most. Students who cook and shop at Aldi or Lidl typically spend somewhere around €60 to €90 a week; eating out regularly pushes that up quickly. Cooking in batches with housemates is the single easiest saving most students make.
Health insurance and seeing a doctor
If you are from outside the EEA, private medical insurance is compulsory. You need it for your visa application and again when you register with immigration, and it must cover you for your whole stay. Student-focused policies are commonly quoted from around €150 to €500 a year, while fuller cover from the main Irish insurers costs more. Check that any policy meets the immigration requirements before you buy it.
A visit to a private GP typically costs around €45 to €65, with Dublin at the higher end. Most universities run a student health service that is free or much cheaper, so register with yours early.
One-off costs in your first months
- Immigration registration (IRP): €300, due when you register within 90 days of arriving, and again each time you renew.
- Rent deposit and first month in advance: often two months’ rent in one go.
- Setting up your room: bedding, kitchen basics and adaptors. Budget a few hundred euro, less if you buy second-hand.
- Medical insurance: usually paid upfront for the year.
Tuition fees
Fees for non-EU postgraduate students vary widely by course, from roughly €10,000 to €40,000 a year. Many taught master’s programmes sit somewhere between €16,000 and €25,000. Always check the exact fee on the course page, because fees are set each year. For your visa, the tuition must be paid as well as showing the €10,000 for living costs; see proof of funds for the Irish student visa.
Can part-time work cover your costs?
It helps, but it should not be your plan. Students on Stamp 2 can work up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours a week from June to September and from 15 December to 15 January. The national minimum wage for workers aged 20 and over is €14.15 an hour from 1 January 2026, so 20 hours a week comes to roughly €1,200 a month before tax.
That can cover a good share of your living costs once you have found work, but finding a job takes time, and immigration expects you to be able to support yourself without it. Arrive with your living costs already covered and treat any wages as breathing room.
Ways to make your money go further
- Use your student card everywhere. Cinemas, gyms, software and many shops offer student rates.
- Open an Irish or EU bank account early. Many employers and landlords expect an IBAN, and it avoids conversion fees on everyday spending.
- Send and receive money with a low-fee transfer service rather than your home bank.
- Keep an emergency fund of €500 to €1,000 that you do not touch for day-to-day spending.
- Look at scholarships for international students before you accept an offer, not after.
Common questions
How much money do I need per month to live in Ireland as a student?
Roughly €1,350 to €1,750 in Dublin and €1,100 to €1,500 in Cork, Galway or Limerick in 2026, mostly depending on rent.
Is €10,000 enough to live in Ireland for a year?
It is enough for the visa, which is what it is for. It is not enough for most students to live on for a full twelve months in 2026, especially in Dublin, so plan your own budget on real costs.
Which Irish city is cheapest for international students?
Of the main university cities, Limerick has the lowest average room rent, followed by Cork and Galway. Dublin is the most expensive by a clear margin.
Can I work enough to pay for living costs?
Twenty hours a week at minimum wage is about €1,200 a month before tax, which helps a lot once you have a job. Do not count on it before you arrive.
Where these figures come from
- Daft.ie Rental Report, Q1 2026 (room rents by city)
- Leap Card fares and discounts and Luas student tickets (student fares and caps)
- Citizens Information: minimum wage
- Immigration Service Delivery: FAQs for students (work hours)
- Immigration Service Delivery: student finance requirements (€10,000)
Accommodation, insurance and GP prices vary by provider and change every year. Use these as a guide and confirm the exact figure before you commit. For a step-by-step budget, see the financial planning guide for studying in Ireland.