Money Matters

 
 

As in most European countries, the currency of Ireland is the Euro. Other currencies are not accepted, so be sure to change currency at one of the banks located throughout the city and county. It’s also important to note a lot of shops and restaurants do not accept €200 or €500 notes. Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards are widely accepted and Chip-and-Pin is the normal procedure for these transactions, there are very few places that will accept a signature. In addition, some smaller shops and restaurants may not accept card payments, so it is important to ensure they do before you order.

General shop and banking opening hours

Most shops are open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and late opening until 9pm on Fridays. Sundays most shops open from 12pm to 6pm. A lot of supermarkets stay open until 8pm or 10pm on weekdays. Banks open from 9.30am or 10am until 4pm or 4.30pm depending on the bank in question. Post offices are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

Tax-free shopping

Visitors to Ireland from outside the European Union can buy goods in Ireland to take home with them and benefit from tax relief. Tax relief is not allowed on services, for example, hotel accommodation, meals or car hire. The visitor must provide proof that they are a visitor from outside the EU when making each purchase. The proof includes evidence of the place of residence, inbound and outbound flight dates and a signed declaration.

The tax relief is provided under the Retail Export Scheme which operates in two ways:

  • The tourist pays Value-Added Tax (VAT) when making purchases and subsequently gets a refund from the relevant retailer or VAT-refunding agency when the retailer or the agency receive proof that the good or goods have been exported.
  • In certain retail outlets, the goods are sold tax-free at the point of sale with or without the involvement of a VAT-refunding agency. The goods must be paid for by credit card. If the retailer or the agency does not receive proof that the goods have been exported, they charge the VAT on the goods to the tourist's credit card account.

Before making a purchase, the tourist should confirm with the retailer that they operate the scheme. They should also clarify whether the retailer is operating the scheme in their own right or with a VAT-refunding agency.

If an agency is being used, the tourist should follow the agency’s specific procedures when making the purchase. When they are leaving Ireland, the tourist should deposit the documentation they were given for the purchase with the agency. (Some VAT-refunding agencies use a plastic card to record a tourist’s purchases by swiping the card when making a purchase.) If VAT was paid, the agency will make the necessary refund within 25 working days if the documentation is complete.

If the goods are being purchased without the involvement of an agency, the retailer should issue the tourist with an export voucher for the purchase. When leaving Ireland, the tourist should get the voucher certified by Customs at the airport. The certified voucher is returned to the retailer. If VAT has been paid the retailer refunds the VAT (less any processing fee).

For full details and further information on tax free shopping in Ireland click here.

Tipping

Service is always included. It is however customary to tip in restaurants, bars with table service and when paying for taxis. As a general rule tipping around 10% is acceptable.