Irish citizens have three broad routes to teaching English abroad: free movement inside the EU, government schemes such as JET in Japan and the language assistant programme in Spain, and employer-sponsored work visas in Asia. Which one fits depends on your degree, your age and how soon you want to go.
The three main routes
| Route | Examples | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| EU free movement | Spain, Italy | No visa. Register locally if staying over three months. See the Spain and Italy guides. |
| Government schemes | JET (Japan), Spain's language assistants | Set application windows, degree usually required, structured support. |
| Employer-sponsored visas | South Korea (E-2), Japan, Thailand, Vietnam | Degree, clean police check and a sponsor are standard. See the country guides below. |
| Working holiday visas | Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, others | Age-capped, usually 30 or 35. Work is allowed but the visa is not tied to teaching. |
Inside the EU
As an Irish citizen you can live and work in Spain or Italy without a visa. Both countries require you to register if you stay more than three months, and Italy requires a codice fiscale (tax number) to work. The Embassy of Ireland in Rome notes that you can work in Italy for up to three months before registering. In Spain the Embassy says EU citizens staying over three months must obtain a Certificate of Registration, which contains your NIE number. Jobs in language academies are plentiful but pay is modest and contracts can be part-time.
Sponsored visas in Asia
South Korea's E-2 visa needs a bachelor's degree, a clean criminal record check from the Gardaí with an apostille, a medical check and a sponsoring school. Japan's visas depend on the type of employer. Thailand needs a work permit tied to one employer. Vietnam has its own work permit process for foreign teachers. Each country has its own page: Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand.
Working holiday visas
Ireland has working holiday agreements with several countries. A 2020 leaflet from Crosscare Migrant Project listed Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan, with upper age limits of 30 or 35 depending on the country. Check the current rules with the relevant embassy, since these change. If you are under the limit, a working holiday can be a lower-commitment way to try teaching.
What to settle before you choose
- Do you have a degree? Many sponsored visas require one, whatever your TEFL certificate says.
- How old are you? Working holiday visas and some schemes have age caps. See TEFL for career breakers and over-30s.
- How soon do you want to leave? Police certificates and apostilles take weeks, as set out in the visa and paperwork checklist.
- What do you want from the job: savings, travel, a stepping-stone into long-term teaching?
- Which country's tax and social security will apply to you?
Paperwork that applies almost everywhere
Whatever route you pick, expect to need a passport with plenty of validity (South Korea's embassy asks for at least six months beyond your planned stay), a police certificate and a degree certificate. An Garda Síochána issues Police Certificates free for purposes including foreign visas, and the Department of Foreign Affairs issues apostilles at €40 per stamp. Start these early because both take weeks; the full list is in the visa and paperwork checklist.
Finally, be realistic about money. Many entry-level contracts cover rent and living costs but leave modest savings, so look at the net package, not the headline salary. The salary guide shows how to do that.
Common mistakes
- Paying a recruiter before seeing a written contract and checking the school exists.
- Arriving on a tourist entry and starting work before the visa or permit is issued. Vietnam and Thailand both treat unpermitted work as a serious offence.
- Assuming the contract salary is take-home pay. Ask about tax, social security and housing.
- Leaving apostille and police-certificate requests until the last month.
Revenue says Irish residents who are also domiciled in Ireland are chargeable on worldwide income. Remaining Irish tax resident while teaching abroad depends on days spent in Ireland and other factors. Check Revenue's residence pages or ask an accountant before you go.
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Compare TEFL coursesThis is an affiliate link. See our affiliate disclosure.Frequently asked questions
Which country is easiest for an Irish citizen to teach in?
Spain and Italy need no visa because of EU free movement. Other countries need a work visa, which usually means a degree and a sponsoring employer.
Do I need a degree to teach English abroad?
Not everywhere, but many sponsored visas require one. South Korea's E-2 visa, for example, requires a bachelor's degree.
Is a working holiday visa a good way to try teaching?
It can be, if you are under the age cap. It allows work generally rather than being tied to one school.
Will I still pay Irish tax while teaching abroad?
It depends on your residence status for Irish tax. Check Revenue's residence guidance or ask an accountant.