Moving from Dublin to Montreal (2026): Costs, Visas & Complete Guide
Montreal has long drawn Irish emigrants, and the appeal endures: a bilingual, culturally vibrant city that is markedly cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver, with a deep-rooted Irish heritage of its own. For anyone leaving Dublin, though, moving to Quebec means grappling with a distinct immigration system, Canadian customs and a French-language reality that sets Quebec apart from the rest of Canada. This guide walks through the entire 2026 journey.
Key takeaways
- Quebec runs its own immigration selection: you generally need a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) via the Arrima expression-of-interest portal before federal permanent residence.
- French is central. Quebec’s skilled-worker streams weight French heavily and Bill 96 reinforces French in public life, so plan to learn it.
- Household goods travel by sea to the Port of Montreal (fast crossing from Northern Europe, roughly 8–14 days) or urgent items by air to Montréal-Trudeau (YUL).
- Used personal effects are generally duty-free for settlers, declared on CBSA Form BSF186 with a “goods to follow” list.
- Budget for a 3-month RAMQ health-insurance waiting period and arrange private cover for the gap.
1. The route: Dublin to Montreal
Household goods from Dublin are packed, containerised and usually routed via a Northern European hub, often through Liverpool or a continental port such as Antwerp, for the transatlantic crossing to the Port of Montreal, which lies inland on the St Lawrence River. The ocean leg itself is fast by transatlantic standards, typically 8–14 days, but the full door-to-door move, packing, consolidation, sailing schedules, customs clearance and final delivery, generally takes several weeks.
For smaller moves, shared container space (groupage/LCL) is cheaper but slower, since your goods wait for a full container. A sole-use container (FCL) costs more but moves faster and is handled less. Anything you need immediately can fly into Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) within days, at a much higher cost per kilo.
2. What it costs
An international move’s cost is driven by general factors, not fixed prices: the volume and weight you ship, whether you take a shared or sole-use container, the access at both ends (Dublin terraces, upper-floor flats or awkward parking add labour, as can tight delivery access in Montreal), the level of packing and insurance you choose, and any storage if your Montreal home is not ready.
The upside for anyone leaving Dublin, where housing costs have soared, is that Montreal is much more affordable, and cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver too, so rents and daily costs will feel easier. The most effective way to control the moving bill itself is to declutter before you pack, because you are paying to ship volume across an ocean.
3. Canadian customs: CBSA Form BSF186
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) treats an incoming resident as a settler. Used household and personal goods that you owned, possessed and used before arriving are generally admitted duty- and tax-free, declared on Form BSF186 (Personal Effects Accounting Document), with BSF186A used to itemise the goods.
Practical points:
- Prepare two lists: goods accompanying you on arrival, and “goods to follow” (your sea shipment, arriving later). Only items on the “to follow” list clear duty-free when they land.
- Include make, model and serial numbers for valuables such as electronics.
- Alcohol, tobacco, certain foods, plants and firearms carry specific limits or restrictions.
- Present a complete, honest inventory: it is the basis for clearance and prevents delays.
4. Living in Montreal
Montreal is a city of distinct neighbourhoods. The Plateau-Mont-Royal is the bohemian heart of triplexes, cafés and outdoor staircases; Mile End is its creative, indie extension; Outremont and Westmount are leafier and more upmarket; NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce) is family-friendly and traditionally anglophone; Griffintown, historically an Irish working-class district, is now full of new condos on the downtown edge; and Rosemont offers quieter, good-value living.
The defining feature of daily life is language. Quebec is officially French, and Bill 96 strengthens French across government, business and services. Montreal is genuinely bilingual and you can live in English in many areas, but you will get far more from the city, and from your career, by learning French. Against that, rents are affordable, the food and festival scene (jazz, comedy, film) is world-class, summers are warm and lively, and the Irish connection runs deep, from Griffintown’s history to one of North America’s oldest St Patrick’s Day parades. The trade-off is a long, harsh winter with heavy snow and deep cold, so budget for proper winter clothing and heating.
5. Immigration, health, driving and pets
Quebec’s own immigration system
This is the biggest difference from the rest of Canada. Quebec selects its own economic immigrants. Rather than applying directly through the federal Express Entry pool, most skilled workers first obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). You submit an expression of interest through the Arrima portal, are scored and ranked, and are invited to apply when your profile matches Quebec’s priorities; you then apply to the federal government (IRCC) for permanent residence.
French is heavily weighted, and strong French can be decisive, so Dublin applicants should begin studying early. The federal Express Entry system still exists, but Quebec manages its economic selection separately, so a Montreal move is planned around the Quebec route. Verify current criteria on the official Quebec and IRCC websites before setting a timeline.
RAMQ health insurance
Quebec’s public health plan is run by RAMQ. New permanent residents typically face a waiting period of up to three months before coverage begins. Ireland does not have the reciprocal social-security arrangement that exempts French citizens, so as a Dubliner you should register with RAMQ promptly on arrival and buy private health insurance to bridge the gap.
Driving licence (SAAQ)
Driving is regulated by the SAAQ. You may drive on your Irish licence for a short settling-in period, but to continue you must exchange it. Quebec maintains formal exchange agreements with a number of jurisdictions, and the terms differ from country to country. Check your specific eligibility directly with the SAAQ and collect any required documents early, since some can be difficult to obtain once you have left Ireland.
Bringing pets (CFIA)
Dogs and cats are imported under Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) rules. For a personal pet, the core requirement is a valid rabies vaccination certificate signed by a licensed vet, in English or French, identifying the animal and the vaccine; a microchip is strongly recommended. Requirements differ for commercial imports and very young animals, so confirm the current rules on the CFIA website before you fly.
6. A realistic timeline
- 6–12 months out: research the Quebec route, begin French study, and submit your Arrima expression of interest.
- 3–6 months out: progress your CSQ and then federal PR application; get moving quotes and a home survey.
- 2–3 months out: book your shipment, sort pet paperwork, request driving-licence documents, and start decluttering.
- 1 month out: confirm packing dates, prepare your BSF186 inventory, and arrange private health cover.
- Arrival: register with RAMQ, open a bank account, get a social insurance number, and clear your goods with the CBSA.
How Flyto handles your move
Flyto Relocation runs its own European hubs and ships worldwide, which is exactly what a Dublin-to-Montreal move needs: consolidated collection in Ireland, an efficient transatlantic sailing to the Port of Montreal, and coordinated customs paperwork so your BSF186 and “goods to follow” list are handled correctly. Rather than managing a chain of separate suppliers, you get one team handling packing, shipping, customs and delivery to your Montreal address.
Get a personalised moving plan and quote with the Flyto advisor
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak French to move to Montreal?
You can live and work in English in many parts of Montreal, but French is the official language of Quebec and is heavily weighted in immigration selection. Learning French will greatly improve both your immigration prospects and your daily life.
Why do I apply to Quebec instead of federal Express Entry?
Quebec selects its own economic immigrants. Most skilled workers must first obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) via the Arrima portal, then apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
Will I pay duty on my household goods?
Used personal and household effects that you owned and used before arriving are generally admitted duty-free as settler’s goods, declared on CBSA Form BSF186 with a separate list for goods arriving later.
How long does the sea shipment take?
The transatlantic crossing from Northern Europe to the Port of Montreal is fast, roughly 8–14 days, but the full door-to-door move usually takes several weeks once packing, scheduling, customs and delivery are included.
Can I use my Irish driving licence in Montreal?
You may drive on it for a short initial period, but you must exchange it to keep driving. Quebec’s exchange agreements vary by country, so confirm your eligibility with the SAAQ and prepare documents before you leave.
When does my Quebec health coverage start?
RAMQ coverage for new residents usually begins after a waiting period of up to three months. Irish citizens are not exempt, so register on arrival and arrange private insurance for the gap.
Related moves
- Moving from Paris to Montreal
- Moving from London to Montreal
- Moving to Winnipeg from Abroad
- Moving to Edmonton from Abroad
Sources
- CBSA – BSF186 Personal Effects Accounting Document
- Government of Quebec – Immigration (CSQ, Arrima)
- Government of Canada – IRCC (Express Entry, permanent residence)
- RAMQ – Health insurance eligibility and waiting period
- SAAQ – Driver’s licences and exchange agreements
- CFIA – Importing pets to Canada
- Port of Montreal
- Citizens Information (Ireland – moving abroad)
Hiring an international mover? See our full International removals to Canada service — Flyto’s own European hubs, vetted local partners and one English-speaking coordinator, door to door.