As an EU citizen, you benefit from the Free Fees Initiative: the Irish state covers your tuition fee, and you pay only the student contribution of approximately EUR 2,500 per year (permanently cut by EUR 500 through Budget 2026 for 2026-27). A non-European student, by contrast, pays between EUR 17,000 and EUR 30,000 per year. On top of that comes the cost of living of approximately EUR 1,000 up to EUR 1,500 per month (Dublin pricier, Cork, Galway or Limerick more affordable).

The Free Fees Initiative is the scheme through which the Irish state covers the tuition fee for the bachelor's for students who meet the citizenship and residency criteria. As an EU citizen, Romanians are eligible: you pay only the student contribution of approximately EUR 2,500 per year for 2026-27 (cut by EUR 500 through Budget 2026), not the full fee. There are residency conditions (usually having lived in the EEA or Switzerland for a certain number of years), which you check when applying.

Yes. Ireland is a natively English-speaking country, so all bachelor's courses are taught in English. Unlike the Netherlands, France or Germany, you do not have to learn another language in order to study. You only need proof of language proficiency when applying (target IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90+, the exact requirements vary by program).

Yes. The Romanian Baccalaureate is accepted and converted into an equivalent score in the CAO system. Each course has a minimum points threshold, and admission is based on the score, so your Baccalaureate grades count directly. The higher your average, the more selective programs you can access.

CAO (Central Applications Office) is the single national system for applying to universities in Ireland, very similar to the UK's UCAS. You fill in a single online form in which you rank your choices (up to 10 level 8 courses / bachelor's plus 10 level 6/7 courses). The standard deadline is 1 February, with a change of mind window in spring. Offers are received in August.

Trinity College Dublin (number 1 in Ireland, approximately #75 QS World) and University College Dublin (approximately #118, strong in business through Smurfit School) are the best known. Next come University College Cork, University of Galway, DCU, University of Limerick (a co-op pioneer), Maynooth and RCSI (specialized in medicine and health). The choice depends on field, city and budget.

Yes. As an EU citizen, you can work without visa restrictions throughout your studies and after graduation. In addition, Ireland has a very strong tech market, with the European headquarters of Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, LinkedIn and Pfizer in Dublin. There is also the Third Level Graduate Programme, a 2-year post-graduation work visa relevant for non-EU students, but as a Romanian you have full work rights anyway.

The cost of living is approximately EUR 1,000 up to EUR 1,500 per month, including accommodation, food, transport and personal expenses. Dublin is the most expensive (especially accommodation), while Cork, Galway, Limerick and Maynooth are more affordable. The recommendation is to apply early for campus accommodation, which is usually cheaper and safer than private rent in Dublin.