Living in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom. It has a population of around 1.8 million people. We have one of the youngest populations in Europe, 53% is under the age of 40. Northern Ireland accounts for 6% of the total UK land area. The people of Northern Ireland are among the happiest in the United Kingdom.

Tourism & attractions

Described as “a land of fantastical landscapes, warm welcomes, dramatic history and enduring legend”, Northern Ireland is renowned for its sports, people, food, film industry, history and scenery. There are lots of reasons to come to Northern Ireland. It's affordable, everything is accessible, are there are some amazing attractions.

You will find a huge list of things to do and enjoy here on these websites 

Getting about

  • Translink is Northern Ireland’s integrated bus and rail public transport company.

    Transport routes and journey planners are available at: www.translink.co.uk

    The Metro service operates buses in and around Belfast.

    The Ulsterbus service operates buses across Northern Ireland.

    NI Railways provides rail services across Northern Ireland.

  • A driving licence is required to drive in Northern Ireland.

    A UK driving licence covers you for driving in NI, but if you are from outside the UK there may be different driving licence requirements.

    Full details are available at: www.nidirect.gov.uk

    Car Insurance - You must have at least Third Party Insurance if you wish to drive in the UK.

    MOT (Ministry of Transport test) - Vehicles must meet specific technical and safety requirements, and you will have to pay for UK registration. If the vehicle is more than four years old, you will need an M.O.T. certificate showing that the vehicle is roadworthy.

Getting Connected

  • This can be provided using different broadband technologies including satellite, cable, telephone, wireless or mobile connections. All local and mobile libraries have computers with free internet access. You can book half hour or hourly sessions. Contact your local library for more information about this service. 

    https://www.librariesni.org.uk/Libraries

    If you want to access the internet at home, you will need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a router to connect to the ISP. ISPs often provide a router with their service. This means more than one computer or device in your house can use the broadband connection at the same time. Some devices can also use WiFi to connect to the router.  As ISPs often improve their services, it is useful to have updated information about what they can offer. Go to your ISP’s website and see if they use an online checker where you can find out what services are available in your area. You might need to use your postcode in the online checker.Alternatively you can use some comparison websites to find the best deal.

    www.moneysupermarket.com

    www.comparethemarket.com

    www.uswitch.com

  • Most international doctors will have a smartphone that they can stay connected with home via the internet, social media and email.

    In Northern Ireland prices for mobile phone contracts and deals may differ greatly. Most international doctors initially take the opportunity to use a “pay as you go contract” for the first one or two months until they settle into Northern Ireland. With this contract you tend to only pay for the data or calls that are used rather than having a fixed monthly fee. The main mobile phone providers in Northern Ireland are Vodafone, O2 and “3” and EE. Click the links below to access the relevant providers website:

  • You will need a Television Licence (TV) if you watch or record live television on any device. Live television is any programme that you watch or record as it is being shown on TV or lives on an online TV service. For example, live TV can be soaps, movies, series, documentaries and news shows as well as live events like football matches and concerts. This includes satellite or online streamed programmes broadcast from outside the UK. If you don't use a TV but use other devices, such as a laptop, you will still need to be covered by a TV license if you watch or record live TV. An online TV service includes any website, app or smart TV service that lets you watch live TV using the internet, such as BBC iPlayer, All 4, Sky Go, Virgin Media, Now TV, BT Vision, Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon Instant Video or ITV Hub. A standard annual TV Licence currently costs £159 per annum (April 2022). You can buy a TV license for the first time or renew an existing one on the TV licensing website using your credit or debit card. Because everyone budgets differently there are a number of payment methods to help you pay quickly and easily, in a way that suits you. This includes weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual payments directly from your bank account via a direct debit, or you can pay directly in a local post office. https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk

Accommodation

  • There are plenty of options for short term accommodation in Northern Ireland. For many people this is the best solution when you first arrive, before you consider a longer term rental or purchase. The private rented sector offers an alternative to home ownership. 

    Before you start looking for accommodation you should have an idea of the kind of accommodation you need - the size, type and location. You should consider the location taking account of where you work, bus and train travel, schools and shops in the area, how close you will be to friends, family, medical care, availability of secure parking and social life. You also need to decide what size of property you require for your needs and what you can afford. Ask around colleagues and friends for recommendations.

    Some options are below.

  • To find Property For Sale the following sites can be used:

Family Life

  • In Northern Ireland education is compulsory for all children between five and sixteen years of age (normally free of charge) and every child aged between four and 16 is entitled to a school place. If you are moving to Northern Ireland with children of school age it is recommended you make arrangements before arriving as it can be challenging to find a place in a school at short notice.

    You can search for schools by name or by entering your postal code to find a school near your accommodation - Search Schools | Education Authority Northern Ireland (eani.org.uk).

    Help and advice for parents on a range of educational issues is available on the website of the Department of Education, Northern Ireland. The Department for Education has developed a policy to support newcomer children whose first language is not English.

  • Similar to the situation with finding schools, it is difficult to find child care places at short notice. A list of day nurseries with full day care in Northern Ireland is available at: www.daynurseries.co.uk , while a list of child-minders is found at NICMA. When you find a facility you would like your children to attend, telephone and make an appointment to discuss whether there are places available for your child/children and to confirm the details.

Healthcare for you & your family

  • Everyone needs to register with a General Practitioner (GP) who will be your usual first point of contact to the Health Service if you are unwell. An appointment with your GP is free. Usually, in a practice, several GPs work together in a surgery, clinic or health centre. To register with a practice, ask the receptionist if you live in the area the practice covers and if they accept new patients. A list of GP Practices can be found via Find a GP practice | nidirect. You can enter the name of the town/area you live in, and it will give us a list of nearby practices. If the practice is willing to accept you as a patient (if coming from within the UK), you need to bring your Medical card and fill in a registration form. For people from outside of UK, or people who have been out of the UK for more than a year, you will be given a separate form by the practice. Your GP can treat most illnesses, but may refer you to a hospital if you require tests or your medical condition is more acute or complex.

    Prescriptions written by GPs are currently dispensed free in Northern Ireland (April 2022). You can bring your prescription to any pharmacy in Northern Ireland (most small towns will have at least one pharmacy). Pharmacists in Northern Ireland don't charge patients from England, Scotland or Wales for prescriptions. If you receive medication on repeat prescription you will need to nominate one pharmacy to collect the prescriptions. To do this, just ring your doctors and tell them to send the repeat prescription to the pharmacy of your choice. At some GP practices you may have to ring reception to order a repeat prescription; however you can often do this online.

    Our hospitals in Northern Ireland provide free healthcare. If you are involved in an accident or suddenly take ill, you may need to go to an Emergency Medicine Department. The number to call in an emergency is 999 or 112, and the ambulance will take you to the Emergency Department at the nearest suitable hospital.

    For general information on accessing health care, use this link Accessing Services – health care | nidirect.

    There is also a downloadable booklet that may be helpful - Access to Health & Social Care.

  • The Health Service provides the dental care and treatment necessary to secure, and maintain, the health of your mouth and teeth. Depending on your circumstances, you may have to pay for dental treatment. You can use a Health Service dentist with a set scale of charges, or can choose to pay for a private dentist depending on the type of care and treatment you wish to access. Certain treatments such as cosmetic work are not available through the Health Service. You can receive additional treatments, or treatment using alternative materials, if you choose to pay privately either with your Health Service dentist or another practice. It is also possible through private dental treatment to access some specialist treatment in high street practices and to choose cosmetic dentistry that is not available under the Health Service. You can apply to register with a Health Service dentist if they are accepting new patients. A list of dentists can be found by accessing the HSC Business Service Organisation (BSO) website: http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/2070.htm

Government/Politics