Setting up utilities in Ireland takes about a week of admin if you do it in the right order. Electricity and broadband are the priorities; everything else can wait until you’re in.
What you actually need
| Utility | Required? | You choose? | Typical monthly cost | Setup time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Yes | Yes | €115–€170 | 1–3 days |
| Gas | If available | Yes | €60–€130 | 1–3 days |
| Water | Yes | No (free for homes) | €0 | Already on |
| Broadband | Optional | Yes | €28–€50 intro / €68+ after | 1–3 weeks |
| Waste collection | Yes | Yes | €20–€40 | About 1 week |
| TV Licence | If you own a TV | No | €160/year | Immediate |
How does electricity work in Ireland?
You choose your electricity supplier from a competitive market. ESB Networks owns and maintains the physical grid as a regulated monopoly; suppliers buy from the grid and bill you. You can switch suppliers anytime, with no interruption to supply.
Suppliers compared
| Supplier | Position | Notable for |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Ireland | Largest (default if you don’t pick) | Mid-range pricing, broad reach |
| Bord Gáis Energy | Major competitor | Dual-fuel discounts (electricity + gas) |
| SSE Airtricity | Mid-tier | Renewable energy focus |
| Energia | Mid-tier | Simple tariffs, growing share |
| Flogas, Pinergy, Prepaypower, Community Power | Smaller | Niche use cases (PAYG, smart meter, green) |
The CRU (the energy regulator) doesn’t run its own comparison tool, but it accredits and audits four price-comparison websites for accuracy and independence. Compare there, then confirm the exact plan and discounts on the supplier’s own site before signing up.
What you’ll pay
| Property | Annual usage | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small apartment | 2,000–3,000 kWh | €70–€110 |
| Average house | ~4,200 kWh | €115–€170 |
| Large house | 6,000+ kWh | €175–€230 |
The lower end of each range is a discounted first-year plan; the upper end is standard undiscounted rates. For concrete anchors on the CRU-average 4,200 kWh: Electric Ireland’s own published first-year costs run from €1,373 on a discounted smart plan to €1,749 undiscounted (€114–€146 a month), while Bord Gáis’s undiscounted standard estimated annual bill is €2,011 (€168 a month). The gap between those numbers is the single best argument for switching.
The bill is made up of:
- Standing charge: typically €240–€300/year urban (Bord Gáis charges €244.77 inc. VAT; slightly higher in rural areas) — fixed, regardless of usage
- Unit rate: roughly 30c to 42c per kWh inc. VAT depending on supplier, plan and discount. Electric Ireland’s discounted 24-hour rate is 29.81c and its undiscounted standard rate 38.65c; Bord Gáis’s undiscounted standard rate is 41.59c — a 40% spread for the same electricity
- Night rate (smart-meter plans only): Electric Ireland’s smart plans run 17.04c night against 32.43c day, with a 34.60c peak between 17.00 and 19.00 — worth having if you can shift laundry and dishwashing to overnight
- VAT 9% on energy — extended to 31 December 2030 in Budget 2026
- PSO levy: a small fixed monthly charge set annually by the CRU, currently around €1.50/month ex-VAT. The levy period runs to 30 September each year, so check your bill for the current figure
- Direct debit discount: 5–10% off most plans
To compare all suppliers’ current prices, use one of the four comparison websites the CRU accredits and audits — accreditation means the regulator checks them for accuracy and independence.
How do I set up electricity in Ireland?
- Pick a supplier. Compare on a CRU-accredited comparison site, then confirm on the supplier’s own site. Look at standing charge + unit rate together, not just the headline.
- Sign up online or by phone. You’ll need photo ID, proof of address (lease or first utility bill), an Irish IBAN for direct debit, and the property’s MPRN (an 11-digit number from a previous bill or the landlord — ESB Networks can provide it if not).
- Take a meter reading on move-in day and photograph it.
- You’re connected within 1–3 working days if the supply is already on. First bill arrives 4–6 weeks later.
Switching suppliers
Switching is essentially the same process — you contact the new supplier, they handle the rest. Switch completes in 10–15 working days, no supply interruption. Typical saving from switching annually: €300–€500/year. Watch for exit fees if you’re inside a fixed-term contract.
How does gas work in Ireland?
Natural gas is only available in cities and major towns. If you’re in a rural area, the alternatives are oil (most common), LPG, or electric heating. Check availability at gasnetworks.ie using your Eircode before assuming you have gas.
Suppliers compared
| Supplier | Notable for |
|---|---|
| Bord Gáis Energy | Largest gas supplier, strong dual-fuel deals |
| SSE Airtricity | Competitive rates, dual-fuel discounts |
| Energia | Simple tariffs, growing share |
| Electric Ireland | Dual-fuel bundles |
| Flogas | Natural gas + LPG |
What you’ll pay
| Property | Annual usage | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small apartment | 5,000–8,000 kWh | €60–€80 |
| Average house | ~11,000 kWh | €120–€140 |
| Large house | 15,000+ kWh | €160–€190 |
Standing charge varies by supplier — Bord Gáis charges €131.69/year inc. VAT. Unit rates run around 10–13c/kWh ex VAT (Bord Gáis standard: 10.25c ex / 11.17c inc. VAT), and carbon tax adds a further 1.25c/kWh inc. VAT as its own line on the bill. VAT is 9%, extended to 31 December 2030. On the CRU’s average usage of 11,000 kWh, Bord Gáis’s published estimated annual bill is €1,498 (about €125/month) — and Electric Ireland’s discounted new-customer gas plan lands within a euro of that (11.016c/kWh, €1,499 first year), so the market’s standard pricing is tightly clustered.
Setting up gas
Same process as electricity — pick supplier, sign up, give them your GPRN (Gas Point Reference Number). Connection in 1–3 working days if the supply is already live.
New connection from scratch? €2,000–€4,000+, installed by Gas Networks Ireland, 4–8 weeks. Almost always the landlord’s call, not yours.
What about water bills?
Domestic water charges were abolished in Ireland in 2017. You don’t pay a water bill at home — water services are funded through general taxation. There’s nothing to set up. Report leaks to Uisce Éireann (Irish Water).
Non-residential properties (businesses) still pay metered water charges.
How does broadband work in Ireland?
You choose from competing providers, with speeds typically 100 Mbps to 5 Gbps depending on what’s available at your address. Order 2–3 weeks before you move in if you can — installation slots fill up. For a plan-by-plan price comparison across Eir, Vodafone, Sky, Virgin Media and the alternative networks, see our broadband providers in Ireland guide.
Watch the “thereafter” price. Most providers advertise 12-month introductory rates that nearly double afterwards. The cheapest intro deal can become the most expensive plan once the discount ends.
Connection types
| Type | Speed | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre | 100 Mbps – 5 Gbps | Cities, larger towns | Fastest, most reliable |
| DSL (copper) | 10–50 Mbps | Most areas | Old infrastructure, fading out |
| Mobile broadband | 4G/5G | Most populated areas | No installation, portable |
| Satellite | Variable | Anywhere | Higher latency, expensive |
Provider summary
| Provider | Network | Coverage | Speed range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eir | Owns most copper + Open Eir fibre | Nationwide | Up to 5 Gbps |
| Virgin Media | Own cable network | Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford | 500 Mbps – 2 Gbps |
| Sky Ireland | Open Eir + SIRO | Where those are available | Up to 1 Gbps |
| Vodafone | SIRO + Open Eir | Where those are available | Up to 2 Gbps |
| SIRO | Pure fibre (wholesale only) | 170+ towns | 500 Mbps – 1 Gbps |
| Imagine | Fixed wireless 4G/5G | Rural-friendly | Lower than fibre |
For a deeper provider-by-provider comparison, see our dedicated broadband guide.
What you’ll pay
| Speed tier | Intro price (12 months) | Thereafter price |
|---|---|---|
| Entry fibre (~500 Mbps) | €28–€40 | €68–€76 |
| Fast fibre (~1 Gbps) | €40–€50 | €70–€86 |
| Ultra (2 Gbps+) | €45–€65 | €90+ |
12-month minimum contract is standard. Router included. Installation fee usually waived for new customers, charged for switches.
Mid-contract price hikes: Eir and Vodafone apply CPI + 3% increases each April to existing customers, even mid-contract, and other providers apply their own annual increases. Factor that in when comparing — a “€35/month for 12 months” deal isn’t quite €35 in months 9–12.
How do I set up broadband in Ireland?
- Check what’s available at your Eircode on each provider’s website. Speeds and providers vary street-by-street.
- Pick a plan based on what you actually need: 50–100 Mbps is fine for a couple, 150–300 Mbps for a busy household, 1 Gbps only if you’re streaming 4K on multiple devices simultaneously.
- Order 1–3 weeks before you move in. Most installs need a technician visit (1–2 hours). Existing connection? 3–7 days.
- Mobile broadband as a stopgap: device arrives by post in 2–3 days. €20–€50/month, capped or unlimited.
Need a phone SIM, not home internet? See our mobile phones in Ireland guide. For cheap international calls, Lyca Mobile is popular with newcomers.
TV: do I need a licence?
€160 per year, required for any property with a TV — even if you only watch streaming, the licence depends on whether the device can receive broadcasts, not whether you use that capability. Pay at tvlicence.ie, at any post office, or by direct debit. Inspectors check; fines apply.
If you don’t own a TV at all and only stream on a laptop or phone, you don’t need a licence.
Pay-TV providers (optional)
| Provider | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media TV | Cable | Sport packages, broadband bundles |
| Sky Ireland | Satellite | Strong sport, premium movies |
| Eir Vision | IPTV | Bundled with Eir broadband |
| Vodafone TV | IPTV | Bundled with Vodafone broadband |
Most newer households skip pay-TV entirely and use Netflix, Prime, Disney+, NOW and similar.
How does waste collection work in Ireland?
Waste is collected by private companies, not the council. You sign up directly with a provider, pay a monthly service charge plus per-lift or per-weight costs, and they deliver the bins.
Three-bin system
- Black bin: general waste (most expensive)
- Green bin: recycling (plastic, paper, glass, metal — cheapest)
- Brown bin: food and garden waste
Major providers
| Provider | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Panda | Dublin and the east — confirm by Eircode |
| Thorntons Recycling | Dublin and surrounds |
| Greyhound Recycling | Dublin |
| Barna Recycling | Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and wider Connacht |
| City Bin Co. | Dublin and Galway City |
Coverage is genuinely local — different companies serve different council areas, so start from mywaste.ie to see who collects at your address.
Pricing
Two pricing models are common:
- Flat monthly plans with a weight allowance — Greyhound’s published Dublin plans (July 2026) run €24.50–€31/month depending on household size, with a 32–65 kg monthly black-bin allowance and green/brown bins free; excess weight costs extra
- Service charge plus per-lift or per-kg — common outside Dublin; Barna in Connacht, for example, prices by weight
Typical total: €20–€40/month. Pay-by-weight is cheaper if you produce little waste; flat-rate gives predictable bills.
Setting up
Sign up online with your chosen provider. They deliver bins in 1–2 weeks and confirm your collection day. Standard bin sizes: 120L, 240L, 360L.
Comparison and switching
| Tool | Compares | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CRU-accredited comparison sites | Electricity & gas | The regulator accredits and audits four sites for accuracy and independence |
| Provider’s own site | Exact plan, discounts, intro vs thereafter | Always confirm the final price here before signing up |
Dual-fuel discount (electricity + gas with same supplier) is typically 5–10%. Broadband + TV bundles can save €5–€10/month vs separate. Always check the thereafter rate, not just the intro.
Monthly utility cost — what to budget
Apartment, 1–2 people:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity | €70–€110 |
| Gas (if applicable) | €60–€80 |
| Broadband (intro rate) | €28–€50 |
| Waste | €20–€30 |
| TV Licence (€160/yr) | €13 |
| Total | €191–€283 |
House, 2–4 people:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity | €115–€170 |
| Gas | €120–€140 |
| Broadband (intro rate) | €40–€55 |
| Waste | €25–€40 |
| TV Licence | €13 |
| Total | €313–€418 |
Broadband shown at intro rate. After 12 months, expect €68–€90 unless you switch — which is exactly why most savvy households switch annually.
For full cost-of-living context, see our cost of living in Ireland guide.
When something goes wrong
| Problem | First call |
|---|---|
| Power outage | ESB Networks 1800 372 999 (check neighbours first) |
| Smell of gas | Leave the property, then Gas Networks Ireland 1800 20 50 50 |
| Broadband down | Restart router, check provider’s status page, then support |
| Billing dispute | Provider first, then CRU.ie if unresolved |
For newcomers from abroad
You’ll need an Irish bank account before you can set up direct debits — most utility providers won’t take a foreign card or IBAN. See our bank accounts in Ireland guide for which option to open first.
A few things that surprise new arrivals:
- You pick your electricity supplier — it’s not fixed by area
- No water bills for residential properties
- Waste collection is private, not council-run
- TV licence applies to the device, not to whether you watch broadcast TV
- Plugs: UK Type G — same as the UK. EU 2-pin plugs need adapters; US plugs need step-up transformers (Ireland is 230V, the US is 110V)
If you’re moving to Ireland, the country-specific guides cover the rest of the relocation: Americans, British citizens, EU nationals.
Useful contacts
Energy and water:
- Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) — cru.ie — see its accredited price-comparison websites for comparing electricity and gas rates
- ESB Networks — esbnetworks.ie / 1800 372 999 (24/7 emergencies and outages)
- Gas Networks Ireland — gasnetworks.ie / 1800 20 50 50 (24/7 gas emergency)
- Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) — water.ie
Broadband:
- ComReg (telecoms regulator) — comreg.ie
Waste and TV:
- mywaste.ie — find local providers
- tvlicence.ie — pay your TV licence
Verification
Checked 31 July 2026, each figure against the provider’s or regulator’s own site:
- Electricity: Electric Ireland unit rates and first-year costs from its price plans; Bord Gáis standard rates, standing charges and estimated annual bills from its tariff page
- Gas: Bord Gáis unit rate, standing charge, carbon tax and estimated annual bill from the same tariff page; Electric Ireland’s gas plan from its own site
- Broadband: intro and thereafter prices cross-checked against our broadband guide, which reads Eir, Virgin Media and Sky pricing directly from provider sites
- Waste: Greyhound’s published Dublin plan pricing; provider coverage areas from each company’s own site
- TV licence (€160) at tvlicence.ie; emergency numbers from ESB Networks and Gas Networks Ireland directly (the old 1850 prefixes were withdrawn industry-wide — if you see a 1850 number elsewhere, it no longer works)
Indicative, not verified: the PSO levy figure (the CRU hasn’t published a current one — check your bill), new gas connection costs (Gas Networks Ireland quotes per property), re-connection fees, and waste pricing outside Dublin. Energy and broadband prices change frequently and vary by plan, region and contract date — compare on a CRU-accredited comparison site and always confirm the current rate with the supplier before signing up.