How much money do you need to move to Ireland as a Brazilian student?
You need a minimum of €6,665 in accessible funds to satisfy Irish immigration requirements, plus additional money for your initial expenses. However, the realistic amount you should have saved is €7,000-€8,000 to cover your first two months comfortably before your first paycheck arrives.
Here’s the breakdown of what you’ll need:
Immigration Requirements: Proof of financial support
For a Stamp 2 visa, the Irish immigration authorities require proof that you have the necessary funds available to support yourself. This amount is calculated based on the type of course you are taking:
- €10,000 for a courses over 8 months duration
- €6,665 for a course less than 8 months duration
Critical point: Having these funds in an Irish bank account is the safest option, so your immigration officer is familiar with it as you must show proof of access to these funds in Ireland.
You will also need to show proof that you have paid for your language course, in full where the course is less than €6,000 or at minimum €6,000 where the course is higher than that cost. You will need to show evidence of this via your letter of enrolment from the language school provider.
Beyond Immigration: Your Real Costs
In addition to the immigration requirement, budget for:
Before Arrival:
- Flight from Brazil to Ireland: €800-€1,500
- Visa application fee: €300
- Health insurance (if required): €150-€300
- Initial accommodation deposit: €500-€800 (typically one month’s rent)
- Tuition fees (first payment): €1,500-€3,000 depending on your school
First Month in Ireland:
- Rent: €500-€800/month (shared accommodation)
- Food and groceries: €200-€300/month
- Transportation: €100-€150/month
- Phone plan: €20-€30/month
- Basic supplies and setup: €200-€300
Total realistic budget: €7,500-€10,000 to move comfortably and handle your first 6-8 weeks.
The Timeline of Your Money
Understanding when you’ll need money is crucial:
Pre-trip: Visa fees, flights, initial tuition payment
Weeks before departure: BRL FX transfer via Money Jar to add Euro to your Irish account. You can do this in stages and build up funds in your Money Jar account at the best exchange rates.
At the airport: Proof of funds check by immigration
First week: Accommodation deposit, initial groceries, transport card
Weeks 2-4: Living expenses while you search for work
Weeks 4-8: Continuing expenses until first paycheck
Most students find part-time work within 2-4 weeks of arrival, but you should budget for 2 months without income to be safe.
