Getting a PPS number when you're renting a room

How to apply

Apply online on MyWelfare.ie. You need a basic MyGovID account and must be 18 or over. During the application you book an appointment at a PPS Number Allocation Centre, which you attend in person. Your number is posted to you.

If you can't use MyWelfare, there's a paper form (REG1). You can't apply from abroad: you apply once you're living in Ireland.

What to bring

Photo ID: a passport (or, for EU citizens, a national ID card), proof of your address, and the reason you need the number, such as a job offer.

For proof of address when you rent a room, a signed letter from your landlord or host confirming that you live there is accepted, as is a tenancy or licence agreement or a bank statement, no more than three months old. Our proof of address guide has the details.

Work and banking

You need a PPS number to start work, but not to look for a job. Until your employer has it, you may pay emergency tax, which you get back once your details are sorted.

Common questions

How do I get a PPS number in Ireland?

Apply on MyWelfare.ie with a basic MyGovID, then attend an appointment at a PPS Number Allocation Centre with your photo ID and proof of address.

What proof of address can I use for a PPS number if I rent a room?

A signed letter from your landlord or host, a tenancy or licence agreement, or a bank statement, no more than three months old.