Dublin is an English speaking capital, which removes the language barrier that shapes most relocations and changes the schooling question entirely. Here the choice is between a small set of international and IB schools, a well established fee paying private sector, and a free state funded system that most Irish families use and rate highly.
The school landscape in Dublin
Nord Anglia International School Dublin offers an international curriculum aimed squarely at globally mobile families, while St Andrew's College in the southern suburbs is a long established school offering the IB Diploma alongside the Irish route. St Kilian's Deutsche Schule and the Lycee Francais d'Irlande serve German and French speaking families who want continuity in their home curriculum. Beyond these, Ireland's free state system and its fee charging voluntary secondary schools are widely used and generally well regarded.
How to move to Dublin with children, step by step
Relocating with school aged children rewards early planning. These five steps mirror how the GlobalSchoolGuide relocation desk sequences a family move, so nothing critical slips through the gaps between the offer, the housing search and the first day of term.
- Set your relocation timeline. Fix your move date against the August or September school start and work backwards, allowing several months for shortlisting and applications in Dublin.
- Shortlist and apply to schools. Match three schools in Dublin to your child's age, curriculum and budget, then apply early because popular year groups fill first.
- Confirm fees and admissions. Request the current fee schedule and admissions requirements directly from each school, since published figures are reset every academic year.
- Choose a neighbourhood near school. Pick housing within a reasonable commute of your shortlisted school, because in most systems your address shapes your options.
- Settle the practical set up. Arrange residency, banking, health cover and the physical move, and time everything to the school calendar so your child starts with the year group.
Fees and budgeting
International and fee paying private schools in Dublin sit in a moderate band by international city standards, with day fees rather than boarding driving most family budgets, and the senior and IB years costing more than the junior years. The free state system carries no tuition beyond voluntary contributions and incidental costs. As always, confirm the current fee schedule with the individual school, because figures are set each academic year.
Neighbourhoods and housing
The southern suburbs, including areas around Booterstown, Blackrock and the wider south county, host several of the sought after schools and offer strong family housing and coastal access. North Dublin and the commuter towns provide better value housing with reasonable transport into the city. Because several key schools sit on the south side, families often prioritise that corridor, though the choice is a genuine trade off against price and commute.
Language and settling in
English is the working language of the country, its schools and daily life, so relocating anglophone families face no language transition. Irish is a compulsory subject in the state system and children joining from abroad can usually be granted an exemption where appropriate, which is worth checking with the school and the relevant authority at the point of enrolment.
Curriculum continuity
On curriculum continuity, St Andrew's College and Nord Anglia International School Dublin offer internationally portable pathways, including the IB Diploma, which suits families who expect to move again. The Irish state route leads to the Junior Cycle and the Leaving Certificate, a well regarded national system that is the natural choice for families settling for good. A pupil close to a leaving examination is usually best served by staying within a single system, so if your child is in the senior years, let curriculum continuity lead the decision rather than proximity or price.
Healthcare, admin and cost of living
Practically, Ireland's cost of living and, in particular, its housing market are demanding, and rental supply in the popular school corridors is tight, so start the housing search early and be ready to move quickly. Register with local services and arrange healthcare cover on arrival, since many families combine the public system with private health insurance. An English speaking environment removes much of the usual relocation friction, but the competitive housing and school markets mean that early, organised action is what makes a Dublin move go smoothly.
The admissions timeline
Popular fee paying and international schools in Dublin operate waiting lists and can require early registration, sometimes well before the September start, so open the conversation as soon as your move is confirmed. State school admissions follow published enrolment policies and catchment considerations, so contact schools directly once you know your address.
Is Dublin a good place to raise children?
Dublin offers families an English speaking, walkable capital with a coastal setting, a strong community feel and easy access to the rest of Ireland and Europe. Family life is friendly and informal, and the shared language removes much of the isolation that can accompany a move, though parents should plan around the competitive housing market from the outset.
Your first weeks: what to prioritise
In your first weeks, lock down housing in your target school corridor, since supply is tight and moves quickly, then confirm the school place and start date in writing. Register with local services, arrange health cover, whether public, private or a combination, and set up banking and utilities. With housing and schooling settled, the English speaking environment makes the rest of the settling in unusually straightforward.
It also pays to gather your children's previous school reports, transcripts and any assessment records before you arrive, because Dublin schools frequently request them during enrolment and having them ready avoids delays. Keeping a shared checklist of applications, deadlines and documents is the most useful habit for a smooth first term.
Frequently asked questions
Do children need to learn Irish when moving to Dublin?
Irish is a compulsory subject in the state system, but pupils arriving from abroad can often obtain an exemption depending on their circumstances. Confirm the position with the school and the relevant authority when you enrol.
What international schools does Dublin have?
Nord Anglia International School Dublin serves globally mobile families, St Andrew's College offers the IB Diploma, and St Kilian's Deutsche Schule and the Lycee Francais d'Irlande provide German and French curricula.
Is schooling in Dublin expensive?
International and fee paying schools sit in a moderate band by global city standards, while the state system is free beyond voluntary contributions. Confirm current fees with each school.
Which side of the city suits families best?
Several sought after schools sit on the south side, around Booterstown and Blackrock, which draws many families there, though north Dublin and the commuter belt offer better value housing.
How early should we apply?
As early as possible. Popular fee paying and international schools keep waiting lists and may require registration well ahead of the September start.
Plan your move
Use these free tools and guides to turn this overview into a shortlist and a working plan for your family's move to Dublin.