Before you start

Evidence of identity
Proof of Irish address
Evidence of why you need a PPSN — usually a job offer or employment contract

Step-by-step

1
Apply for a PPS number
Applications are made through MyWelfare with supporting documents, and may require an in-person appointment. You must show a reason for needing one — a signed employment contract is the standard evidence.
OnlineWho: YouFree
2
Register for MyAccount with Revenue
Once you have the PPSN, register with Revenue online. This is where you register the employment itself.
OnlineWho: You
3
Register your job to get a Revenue Payroll Notification
Your employer cannot apply your correct tax credits until Revenue issues an RPN for you. Until then, emergency tax applies.
OnlineWho: You
4
Check your first payslip
If you're on emergency tax, the correction and refund come through payroll once the RPN issues — but only if you complete the registration.
Via employerWho: You
5
Review your tax at year end
File a return through MyAccount to claim reliefs such as rent tax credit, medical expenses and remote-working relief.
OnlineWho: YouAnnually

Documents you’ll need

Passport
Proof of Irish address
Employment contract
Immigration permission or IRP

Things most newcomers don’t know

Emergency tax is the standard newcomer mistake, and it is expensive.

Without a PPSN and a registered employment, your employer withholds at a punitive rate with no credits applied. It is refunded eventually, but 'eventually' can mean your first two or three months' pay are badly reduced at exactly the moment you're paying a rental deposit.

Source: Revenue — starting your first job

Getting the PPSN isn't enough — you must register the job too.

People obtain the number, assume they're done, and stay on emergency tax because Revenue never issued a payroll notification for that employer. Both steps are required.

Source: Revenue — Revenue Payroll Notifications

The rent tax credit is worth claiming and often missed.

Ireland offers a tax credit for renters that has to be claimed through your Revenue account. It isn't applied automatically and can be claimed for prior years within the allowed window.

Source: Revenue — rent tax credit

You need a PPSN before most banks will open an account.

This puts it at the front of the dependency chain along with an address — and an Irish address is itself hard to secure in Dublin. Expect this to be the tightest knot in your first weeks.

Source: community-reported, consistently

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming the PPSN alone stops emergency tax — you must also register the employment.
Applying for a PPSN without documentary proof of why you need one.
Missing the rent tax credit and other reliefs that require an active claim.
Not budgeting for reduced take-home in the first month or two.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.