How to organise your PPS Number

As soon as I received my Garda Registration Card, I knew that the next step would be apply for a pps number. If you want to work in Ireland, you need this number.

So...what exactly is a pps number?

Well, it's basically like a social security number.

The number gives you the opportunity to receive benefits, provided you have an EU passport. The number also gives you the right to receive your tax back.

So, in my first month in Ireland, I requested this number!

To ask for this number, I had to go to my local "Welfare Office", together with the following documents:

If you are from the EU, you only need the first two documents on the list. Otherwise you will need to bring all of the documents above.

It's also important to go to your local office, as each office controls a different area.

After I applied, I waited about 1 week and I recieved a letter with my number.

I was legally allowed to work in this beautiful country!!

One important point if you are Brazilian or non-European, is that you can only work 20 hours per week if you have a student visa.

The good news though, is that you can work full-time hours during the holidays, regardless of your nationality!

You should be aware though, that once your student visa expires, so does your right to work. The only way to stay working in this case is renewing your student visa.

The application for a pps number is very simple. If you have any further questions on the topic, you can contact me and I'll do my best to answer your question...

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