Disclaimer: Written on 15/10/2026. Rules and processes can change, so always check the official links below for the latest info.
Before moving to Dublin, there were a few things I really wish someone had told me. Okay, maybe more than a few, but today I’m sticking to the three that matter most when you’re trying to start working here.
Figuring out how to start earning was a big deal for me. I wanted to live the city at 100%, and for me that meant working too, and getting some proper hands-on experience. So here’s what I learned about PPS numbers, emergency tax and payslips (mostly the hard way T.T)!
1. PPS Number
What it is
Your PPS (Personal Public Service) Number is your personal ID number for anything official in Ireland. It’s always 7 numbers followed by one or two letters, and you use it for social welfare, public services, tax and more (gov.ie).
To get one, you need to show three things: proof of your identity (for EU citizens like me, a passport or national ID card), proof of your address (a bill, bank statement, lease or official letter, dated within the last 3 months) and proof of why you need it, for example taking up a job or registering for a college course (gov.ie). You apply through MyWelfare, which needs a MyGovID account.
Why it matters for work: Revenue says your employer needs your PPS Number, otherwise you’ll be taxed at emergency rates (more on that in a minute) (Revenue).
My experience
When I needed it: When I got my internship offer at Trinity!
How it went: I booked my appointment online, but you still have to go in person to hand over your documents and have your photo taken for the card.
How long it took: around 3-4 weeks.
What didn’t go to plan: Print your documents before you go! They won’t print them for you, and if you show up without them they can’t go ahead, so you have to come back another day. Yes, I’m speaking from experience.
What I’d do differently: Get it as soon as possible, not just after securing the job.
2. Emergency Tax
What it is
Emergency tax is a temporary, higher rate of Income Tax and USC (Universal Social Charge) that your employer takes from your pay when they can’t get your tax details from Revenue. Those details come in something called a Revenue Payroll Notification, or RPN (Revenue).
To avoid it, two things need to happen: your employer needs your PPS Number, and your job needs to be registered with Revenue. If it’s your first job in Ireland, you register it yourself in Revenue’s myAccount under “PAYE Services” > “Add Job or Pension Details”. If it’s not your first job, your employer registers it (Revenue).
The good news: once your employer gets your RPN, they stop applying emergency tax. If it’s a “cumulative” RPN, any extra tax you paid is usually refunded through your next payslip (Revenue).
If you have two jobs at the same time, Revenue treats one as your main job and gives your tax credits and rate band to that one. You can split them between your jobs (Revenue).
My experience
When it happened: I ended up on emergency tax twice. First when I started my internship, and then again when I started my part-time job, because my tax credits were all on my first job.
What didn’t go to plan: My first two payslips from my part time job were deducted 40%.
How I fixed it: I called Revenue. They were so helpful and friendly, and they explained everything in detail. Honestly, I’d recommend calling them instead of emailing. You can find their numbers on the Revenue contact page.
3. Payslips
What it is
Your payslip is a written statement from your employer showing your gross pay (what you earned before tax) and everything that was taken off it. Your employer has to give you one every time they pay you, on paper or online, and you can use it as proof of your earnings and the tax you’ve paid (Citizens Information).
Payslips can look like a secret code at first, so here’s a mini cheat sheet of the terms you’ll probably see (Citizens Information):
| Term on your payslip | What it actually means |
| Gross pay | Your total pay before anything is taken off. |
| Net pay | Your take-home pay, the money that lands in your account. |
| PAYE | Income tax, taken by your employer through Revenue’s “Pay As You Earn” system. |
| PRSI (EE / ER) | Social insurance. EE is what you pay, ER is what your employer pays for you. |
| Tax Credits | Amounts that reduce the tax that you pay. |
| Standard rate cut-off | How much you can earn before the higher tax rate kicks in. |
| USC | Universal Social Charge, a tax you pay if your gross income is over €13,000 a year |
If something on your payslip doesn’t make sense, Citizens Information suggests asking your company’s payroll team first (Citizens Information).
Quick takeaways
- Print your PPS documents before your appointment. They won’t print them for you.
- Your employer needs your PPS Number and your job needs to be registered with Revenue, or you’ll be put on emergency tax.
- Got two jobs? Check how your tax credits are split between them.
- If something looks off, call Revenue. In my experience, calling was so much better than emailing.
- Check every payslip, especially the first one from a new job.
Official links
- Get a PPS Number (gov.ie)
- MyWelfare
- Emergency Tax (Revenue)
- How to get a refund of Emergency Tax (Revenue)
- Second or multiple jobs (Revenue)
- Contact Revenue
- Payslips (Citizens Information)
