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Pension question, Ireland

Can I get the Irish State Pension if I live abroad?

The Department states there is a legal onus on you to apply, on its own form, and it recommends applying six months before you want payment to start if you worked in another EU or agreement country. The ordinary floor is 520 paid full rate contributions, which is ten years, and the Department of Social Protection states that if you do not qualify on Irish insurance alone and you hold periods in another EU state or an agreement country, the records are added together and Ireland pays a pro rata share.

  • Source: gov.ie and welfare.ie, read 3 October 2026
  • Source: Department of Social Protection SW19 2026 and gov.ie, read 3 October 2026

What to do next

  1. Write down every Irish employer and the years you worked there, with your PPS number if you still have it.
  2. List the other countries you worked in, because their years may be added to your Irish ones.
  3. Run our free check to see which other countries may hold a pension in your name.

Check your own working life for free

Tell us where you worked. The free check shows which countries may hold a pension for you, and which can be ruled out and why. No sign in, no charge.

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Questions people also ask

Is the Irish State Pension sent without an application?

Nothing is sent to you.

  • Source: gov.ie and welfare.ie, read 3 October 2026

How far back can a late application be paid?

Late applications are backdated six months only, except where the Department supplied incorrect information or you were incapacitated by illness, so arrears beyond six months are money that is never paid.

  • Source: gov.ie Operational Guidelines and PRSI SW14 January 2026, read 3 October 2026

Do you give advice on what to do?

No. We identify where a pension is likely held and the official route to it, and we name each source with the date we read it. We do not give financial, tax or legal advice.