Starting over

Ireland provides excellent opportunities for foreign-trained pharmacists who want to live and work in a friendly, multicultural environment. Even though each pharmacist’s path is unique, Ireland’s proactive approach to expanding its pharmacy workforce is making the process easier than ever. In Ireland, obtaining registration with the PSI is a prerequisite for anyone intending to practise as a pharmacist. According to the PSI Annual Report 2024, 59 per cent of pharmacists registered in 2024 received their training outside of Ireland, with 89 per cent of those obtaining their credentials in a Member State of the EU or EEA. However, despite having a clear outline, the registration pathway is still a complex process.  

From relocation to registration

There are several registration routes with the PSI, depending on where your pharmacy qualification was obtained. In this article we will focus on colleagues who hold a qualification in pharmacy from a Member State of the EU/EEA and . Despite this, the route has specific requirements, and candidates must provide supporting documentation to complete their application.    

Plan for a successful application By following these steps, EU/EEA pharmacists can successfully relocate to Ireland and begin their careers as registered pharmacists: Research and plan: Begin the registration process well in advance of your planned move to Ireland, as subsequent steps can only commence after your for registration is confirmed. In the meantime, you could gain experience by working in a pharmacy to get familiar with pharmacy workflows and claiming processes so that you are ready to work as a pharmacist within the Irish pharmacy sector once registered. Research the costs involved and expected timeframes so that there are no surprises later; English language proficiency: Demonstration of your English language proficiency is required, typically through IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) or OET (Occupational English Test); Stay informed: Keep up with the latest information from the PSI; and Visa requirements: A visa is not needed if you are an EU/EEA citizen.

Key steps and timeframes

Different documents are requested to provide evidence of identity, educational background, qualification details, work experience, skills and background checks. It is best to wait until you have all your documents before you start an application. Depending on your personal circumstances, there may be other documents you will need to provide that are not in this list, such as proof of employment or studies since you moved to Ireland, or a criminal clearance certificate from countries where you have live Any missing or untranslated documents can slow down the process.  

Get ready to apply Timeframe: This depends on your personal circumstances — in the best scenario it is reasonable to expect it to take a couple of months to go through all the stages; Documents: Start organising your documentation to ensure you have everything you need to start your application; Translations: Make sure you have all the required documents in the English language. The official translation must be performed by a certified translator; and Validity: Ensure your identity document is in date. Note that Statutory Declarations, Health Declaration forms, Certificates of Good Standing and Conformity Declarations have a three-month expiry date.

Why can documents be rejected?

There are a number of different reasons why a requested document might not be accepted. Some reasons might include:

• The document is an unclear photocopy;
• The photograph is not in compliance with the photograph requirements;
• The photograph form is not witnessed by a registered legal or healthcare practitioner;
• The document is not translated by a certified translator;
• The document is expired;
• The Certificate of good standing is not sent directly from the competent authority in your home country to the PSI; and
• The document sent from the competent authority is missing the reference to the Directive 2005/36/EC.

 

Checklist Passport or photograph-bearing ID card; Birth certificate and evidence of name change (if applicable); Evidence of formal education: degree certificate/academic transcript; Professional licence: Permission to practice in your home country; Passport form photograph and Statutory Declaration Form; Health Status Form; and English language evidence.

A smooth journey to pharmacist registration

Under the EU free movement directives, pharmacists who have completed their education and training in an EU/EEA member state, excluding Ireland, may submit an application for recognition of their qualification and register through a two-step process with the PSI.

1. Qualification Recognition

The first step involves applying for qualification recognition. This is accessible via the PSI’s online registration portal, which was launched in 2024 with the aim of improving accessibility and user experience for pharmacists, patients, and the public.

 

PSI Application Portal

The PSI’s policy is that all applicants and registrants are expected to complete the application process online. Creating an account will permit you to submit your details and the necessary documents, as well as to pay the registration fee directly and securely online. A registration certificate requires a photograph compliant with PSI guidelines, and this profile image must be uploaded before starting your application. Ensure you provide the exact date when you commenced your pharmacy programme. Once an application has been submitted, you will no longer be able to edit it.

The portal contains instructions and information videos to assist you with your application. These are valuable sources that guide you step-by-step to the submission.

 

Health Status Declaration 

A Health Status Form must be completed by a registered medical practitioner and confirms that, to the best of their knowledge, there are no physical or mental health concerns that would prevent you from fulfilling the duties of a registered pharmacist. The certificate is valid for three months and is required at both stages of the registration process.

 

Authorisations and Declarations

You will be requested to give permission to the PSI to discuss your application with the competent authority of your home country or appropriate third parties. This authorisation is necessary to communicate with other parties in order to obtain the main details regarding your position. In addition, you must confirm the accuracy of the provided information, to the best of your knowledge.

 

Qualifications and previous registrations

It is necessary for the competent authority in the country where you qualified as a pharmacist to issue a certificate that confirms how your qualification is compliant with Article 10, 21 or 23 of Directive 2005/36/EC.

It is also necessary to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing from any country where you were registered as a pharmacist in the last five years. This document shows that you have not been subject to any disciplinary or administrative sanctions in the exercise of the profession.

It is your responsibility to initiate the request for these certifications with the competent authority in the relevant countries prior to the PSI submission. However, the final documents must be sent directly by the authority to the PSI and once received, they will email you a copy to arrange a certified English translation.

 

Qualification Recognition Certificate

With the successful completion of the first stage of your application, you will receive your Qualification Recognition Certificate by email.

 

2. First time registration with the PSI

Once you have received your Qualification Recognition Certificate, you can then submit your application to register as a pharmacist with the PSI.

 

Language requirements

If you completed your professional training in a country where English is not the primary language, you must provide formal evidence of English language proficiency. The specific criteria for demonstrating this competency are detailed on the PSI website. This document is requested only for registration with the PSI; therefore, you can complete your qualification recognition as a separate step in the process.

 

Statutory Declaration

The registration rules require that the signed Statutory Declaration is still submitted in hard copy. This document needs to be completed in the presence of a Peace Commissioner, Solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths in Ireland. If you’re still based in your own country, you can get this declaration completed in an Irish embassy.

 

Fee payment

Your payment must be processed before you submit your application for registration.

 

Final decision

Following review of the application by the PSI, you will receive a decision by email and in the portal. Successful applications will be registered on the register of pharmacists, and your registration must be renewed yearly thereafter.

 

“Under the EU free movement directives, pharmacists who have completed their education and training in an EU/EEA member state, excluding Ireland, may submit an application for recognition of their qualification and register through a two-step process with the PSI.”  

Making the move — what to expect

Tips to overcome challenges

When submitting your application to the PSI, make sure to:

• Start early and stay informed: Gather all required documents and review PSI requirements in advance. It is not always easy to know how long each stage will take and replies to queries via email can be delayed due to high volumes. Some documents may expire within a few months. Make sure you understand these timelines before uploading and confirm with the PSI if needed. This gives you time to clarify anything that is unclear and avoid last-minute stress;
• Use multiple channels for support: Progress tracker updates showing real time monitoring of the application status could reassure you. If email responses are delayed, consider using the PSI chatbot for basic queries or calling the PSI directly for urgent, complex or personal matters;
• Keep a personal checklist: Create your own checklist based on the PSI guidelines. Include document types, validity periods, and submission steps to stay organised;
• Document everything: Keep records of all communications with the PSI, including emails and submission confirmations. This can be helpful if you need to reference timelines or clarify misunderstandings;
• Ask for help: Reach out to colleagues who have gone through the process. Their insights can save you time and help you avoid common pitfalls; and
• Monitor your email inbox regularly; If further information or corrections are needed, you may be contacted by the PSI.

 

Support

Please note that the information above is intended for general guidance only and should not replace your own research, judgement, or seeking independent advice. Further information is available in the ‘Qualification Obtained in the EU’ section of the PSI website. The IPU can support you with general queries, and for specific questions please email the PSI at registration@psi.ie.