🇬🇧 vs 🇮🇪 Head-to-head comparison
UK vs Ireland — 2026 Comparison
Full side-by-side comparison: corporate tax (12.5% IE vs 25% UK), capital gains tax, NHS vs HSE, housing costs and EU citizenship benefits.
Salary:(in local currency)
View as:
| Metric | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 🇮🇪 Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Salary & Tax | ||
| Gross salary | £80,000 | €80,000 |
| Take-home pay | ✓£56,957 | €54,047 |
| Income tax paid | ✓£19,432 | €19,850 |
| Effective tax rate | ✓28.8% | 32.4% |
| Min wage (per hour) | £11.44/hr | €13.50/hr |
| Metric | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 🇮🇪 Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Tax | ||
| Corporate tax rate | £25% | ✓12.5% |
| Income tax (top rate) | 40–45% | 40–52% combined |
| Capital gains tax | ✓10–20% | 33% |
| Inheritance tax | 40% above £325k | 33% above €335k |
| 🏠 Housing | ||
| Median house price | ✓£285k | €360k |
| Stamp duty ($500k) | £12,500 | ✓€5k (1%) |
| Avg rent 1BR city | ✓£1,800/mo (LON) | €2,500/mo (DUB) |
| Avg mortgage rate | ~4.8% | ✓~4.5% |
| 👷 Employment | ||
| Annual leave | ✓5.6 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Paid parental leave | ✓39 wks SMP | 35 wks combined |
| Sick leave | ✓Up to 28 wks SSP | 5 days (rising) |
| 🏥 Healthcare | ||
| Public system | Yes — NHS | Yes (HSE) |
| GP visit | ✓Free (NHS) | Free (card) or €60 |
| Prescription | £9.90/item | ✓€2.50/item |
| 📊 Quality of Life | ||
| World Happiness | #17 | ✓#12 |
| Life expectancy | 81 years | ✓83 years |
| GDP per capita | ~$48k USD | ~$102k GDP (inflated) |
⚖️ 🇬🇧 United Kingdom vs 🇮🇪 Ireland — verdicts
Personal income tax
Draw Both countries have high personal tax burdens. UK: income tax 20–45% + National Insurance ~12%. Ireland: income tax 20–40% + USC 2–8% + PRSI 4% = effective ~32–45%. At higher salaries (€100k+) Ireland's USC pushes the effective rate above the UK's. At lower salaries the UK NI threshold makes Ireland slightly better.
Corporate tax
🇮🇪 Ireland Ireland's 12.5% corporate tax rate is famous globally and significantly below UK's 25% (raised from 19% in 2023). For business owners and company structures, Ireland is dramatically more attractive. Many US multinationals route European operations through Ireland.
Capital gains tax
🇬🇧 UK UK CGT is 10% (basic) / 20% (higher) on investments. Ireland charges a flat 33% — one of the highest in the EU. For investors with significant capital gains, the UK is considerably more favourable.
Annual leave
🇬🇧 UK UK workers get 5.6 weeks (28 days) statutory annual leave. Ireland mandates 4 weeks (20 days), increasing to 4 weeks + 2 extra days by 2025. Both are supplemented by public holidays (8 UK, 10 Ireland).
Healthcare
🇬🇧 UK UK's NHS provides completely free GP, hospital and emergency care with no charges. Ireland's HSE requires patients without a medical card to pay ~€60/GP visit and €160 for ambulance call-outs. Medical card eligibility is income-tested. For those without a medical card, Ireland's system has significant out-of-pocket costs.
Housing costs
🇬🇧 UK UK median house price (~£285k) is lower than Ireland's (~€360k ≈ £305k). Dublin rents (€2,000–2,800/month 1BR) are higher than London outside Zone 1. Ireland charges 1% stamp duty (low), UK charges £12,500 on a £500k purchase. Both face severe housing shortages.
Quality of life
🇮🇪 Ireland Ireland ranks #12 in the World Happiness Report vs UK #17. Ireland has a younger demographic, vibrant culture, life expectancy of 83 years (vs UK 81), and lower population density outside Dublin. Ireland also offers EU citizenship and passport benefits since Brexit.
Post-Brexit considerations
🇮🇪 Ireland Post-Brexit, Irish citizens retain EU freedom of movement across 27 countries. UK citizens now need visas for work/extended stays in EU. Ireland's EU membership is a significant advantage for those wanting European career mobility or retirement options.
Overall
Depends on situation For investors and employees (lower CGT, NHS, more annual leave): UK. For business owners (12.5% corporate tax), EU access and quality of life: Ireland. Post-Brexit, Ireland has gained significant strategic advantage for those wanting EU connectivity.
Frequently asked questions
← Back to full 21-country comparison·Data accurate as of 2025–26. Verify current figures before making major decisions.