To teach English online from Ireland you need a reliable connection, a quiet room, a recognised TEFL certificate if the platform asks for one, and a plan for tax. Income from teaching is taxable in Ireland even when the student and the platform are abroad, so register with Revenue early rather than after your first payment.
What platforms usually ask for
Requirements are set by each platform or school, and they change, so read the current application page. Typical items are proof of identity, a degree or TEFL certificate, a short demo lesson or video, and a reliable computer with a headset and webcam. Qualification demands run from none (conversation-practice apps) to a TEFL certificate plus experience (structured courses for children or exam preparation).
Do not pay a fee to be hired. Legitimate platforms do not charge teachers to apply. See TEFL scams and red flags.
Employee or self-employed
Most online platforms treat teachers as independent contractors, so you are responsible for your own tax. A small number of schools employ teachers directly under contract. Check which applies before you start, because it changes what you register for and what you can claim.
Irish tax for self-employed teachers
This is general information as of October 2026. Check Revenue's pages or speak to an accountant for your own position.
- Income tax return. You are generally a chargeable person and must file a Form 11 if you have trading income and no PAYE income, or if you have PAYE income and other non-PAYE income over €5,000 net.
- Deadline. For the 2025 tax year the Pay and File deadline is 31 October 2026, extended to 18 November 2026 if you file and pay through ROS. Late filing carries a surcharge of 5% of the tax due (capped at €12,695) if filed by 31 December, and 10% after that.
- Preliminary tax. Preliminary tax for 2026 is also due by 31 October 2026 (18 November through ROS).
- PRSI. Self-employed people aged 16 to 70 with income of €5,000 or more pay Class S PRSI. The rate is 4.2% until 30 September 2026 and 4.35% from 1 October 2026, with a minimum annual contribution of €650.
- VAT. The registration threshold for supplying services is €42,500 a year. Most part-time online tutors will be below it.
Keep records of every payment, platform statement and expense from day one. Register with Revenue as self-employed through your myAccount or ROS rather than waiting for your first return.
Getting set up in practice
- Take a TEFL course with some assessed teaching practice if you can. See online or in-person TEFL.
- Pick one or two platforms to start, and compare commission, how bookings are made, cancellation rules, payment currency and payout fees.
- Prepare a short demo lesson and a clear profile, covering whom you teach and what a lesson looks like.
- Test your connection, lighting and audio. A cheap USB headset removes most echo problems.
- Register as self-employed and set money aside for tax from each payout.
Pay, hours and risks to weigh up
Pay per lesson varies enormously by platform, student age and if you set your own rate, so this page quotes none. Compare take-home pay rather than headline rates: subtract the platform commission, payout or currency conversion fees, unpaid preparation time and cancellations. A rate that looks generous can fall quickly once these are included.
Another risk is dependence on one platform. Terms, commission or student allocation can change without notice. Keep your own materials and a profile on a second platform so a single change does not end your income.
Working with children online
Many online platforms place you with child learners. Read the platform's safeguarding rules, avoid private contact outside the platform, and keep recordings only where the terms allow. An Garda Síochána issues Police Certificates for purposes such as foreign visas; Garda vetting for roles with children is a separate process that only registered organisations can request, so you cannot simply apply for it yourself. If a platform asks for a background check, ask what form it takes.
Online teaching income depends on bookings, which can drop in holiday periods. Do not leave a stable job until bookings are steady and you have set aside enough for your tax bill and PRSI.
Thinking about a TEFL qualification? See course options from an Irish-based provider.
Compare TEFL coursesThis is an affiliate link. See our affiliate disclosure.Frequently asked questions
Do I pay Irish tax on income from foreign students or platforms?
Yes, if you are tax resident in Ireland your teaching income is generally taxable here wherever the students are. Confirm your position with Revenue or an accountant.
Do I need to register for VAT?
Only if your services turnover goes over the €42,500 threshold. Most part-time online teachers stay below it.
Do online platforms require a degree?
It depends on the platform. Some want a degree or TEFL certificate, others only a demo lesson, so check each platform's current page.
What should I do first?
Register with Revenue as self-employed and start recording income and expenses, then apply to one or two platforms.