How do expats find accommodation in Ireland?

The Irish rental market is concentrated on a small number of platforms:

• Daft.ie — the dominant platform. The vast majority of professional landlord and estate agent listings appear here first.
• MyHome.ie — stronger for property sales but carries some rental listings, particularly at the higher end of the market.
• Letting agency websites — some properties are listed exclusively through agents (Lisney, Sherry FitzGerald, REA, Knight Frank for premium lettings).
• Corporate relocation networks — if your employer is facilitating your move, ask whether they have preferred letting agents or corporate lease arrangements.

Facebook Marketplace and social media do carry rental listings but come with a significantly higher risk of fraud. They should be approached with extreme caution, particularly by anyone searching remotely.

Yes, but it requires more groundwork than a local search. Most landlords will not hold a property for weeks while you travel — the market moves too quickly. However, several approaches do work:

• Video viewings are now widely accepted by letting agents, especially for international tenants. Request one explicitly when you enquire.
• Having a trusted local representative attend a viewing on your behalf is an established option — this is one of the core services Your Own Door provides.
• Some landlords will accept a remote application with strong documentation, particularly where you are relocating for a named employer with a verifiable Irish address.

In some respects, yes — and it is worth being clear-eyed about this. A landlord choosing between multiple applicants will often favour someone with an Irish credit history, an existing Irish bank account, and references they can easily verify. International applicants may not yet have one or more of these.

However, this disadvantage is largely offset by strong employment documentation. A letter from a recognised Irish or international employer confirming your role and salary is very persuasive. Many landlords and agents are well-practised at handling international tenants, particularly in the D2 / D4 / D6 / D14 / D18 corridors where tech and professional hires concentrate.

Arriving with a confirmed temporary base removes the pressure of committing to something unsuitable in haste. Options worth considering:

• Serviced apartments — properties such as Staycity, Marlin, and The Gibson offer weekly and monthly rates that are more expensive per night than a standard lease, but flexible. Popular with corporate relocations.
• Short-term furnished lettings — available on platforms like Airbnb or HousingAnywhere for one to three month stays, though supply is limited and costs have risen considerably.
• Corporate guesthouses — some Dublin guesthouses cater specifically to professional long-stay guests. Worth asking your employer's HR or admin team if they have established arrangements.

Budgeting €2,500–€4,000 per month for furnished short-term accommodation in a central location is realistic for 2025/2026.