At what age can I?
Start
school
- Age 4
Start
second level education
- Age 12 on 1st of January in the first school year of attendance
Leave
school
- Age 16 or on completion of 3 years post-primary education, whichever is the later
Start working
- Age 14 – up to 7 hours per day (35 hours per week) during school holidays only
- Age 15 – up to 8 hours per week during term-time and up to 7 hours per day (35 hours per week) during school holidays
- Age 16 – up to 8 hours per day (40 hours per week)
Get the national minimum wage
- Age 14 – 70% of minimum wage
- Age 18 – 80% of minimum wage
- Age 19 – 90% if in second year of employment after reaching age 18
- Age 20 – 100% if in third year of employment after reaching age 18
Become an apprentice
- Age 16 – SOLAS apprentice
- Age 18 – Army or Air Corps apprentice
Join the Army or Garda Síochána
- Age 18 – Army, Air Corps or Naval Service
- Age 18 – Garda Síochána
Babysit
- No legal minimum age
Pay tax
- No minimum age
Drive
- Age 12 – boat with an engine over 3.75kW (5hp)
- Age 16 – motorcycle up to 11kW and up to 125cc, moped with a maximum speed of 45kph, work vehicle such as a tractor or JCB, jet ski or motor boat capable of 17 knots or more
- Age 17 – vehicle with seats for up to 8 passenger and maximum weight of 3,500kg
- Age 18 – motorcycle up to 35kW, goods vehicle up to 7,500kg
- Age 21 – goods vehicle, bus with accommodation for up to 16 passengers
Get
a passport
- Age 0 – three-year passport
- Age 3 – five-year passport
- Age 18 – ten-year passport
Book a holiday or flight
- Age 18
Apply for a National Age Card
- Age 18
Buy
alcohol
- Age 18 – if under 18 you must be accompanied by a parent in an off-licence. You may only remain on a licensed premises up to 9pm (10pm from May-September) if accompanied by a parent. If aged between 15-17 years you may remain on the premises after 9pm when attending a private function at which a substantial meal is being served.
Drink
alcohol
- Age 18 – if you are under 18 you can drink alcohol in a private residence, providing you have parental consent
Buy cigarettes
- Age 18
Gamble
- Age 16 – engage in gaming at an amusement hall or funfair
- Age 18 – enter a bookies, buy a lotto ticket
Own
a dog
- Age 16 – you must have a dog licence to keep a dog. No minimum age to keep other pets as no licence is required
Consent to medical treatment
- Age 16
Give
blood
- Age 18
Get
a body piercing or tattoo
- No legal minimum age
Get teeth whitened
- Age 18
Use a sunbed
- Age 18
Consent to sexual intercourse
- Age 17
Get a gender recognition certificate
- Age 16 – with a Court Exemption Order
- Age 18 – without a Court Exemption Order
Get married
- Age 18 – unless you have a Court Exemption Order
Leave
home
- Age 16 – with parental consent
- Age 18 – without parental consent
Be charged with a criminal offence
- Age 10 – for murder, manslaughter, rape and aggravated sexual assault
- Age 12 – for other criminal offences
Register
to vote
- Age 18 – for all elections and referenda
Stand
for elections
- Age 18 – local elections
- Age 21 – national and European elections
- Age 35 – presidential elections
Sit on a jury in court
- Age 18
Enter
a legally binding contract
- Age 18 – except for certain contracts, such as for necessities like food or for apprenticeships
Make
a will
- Age 18
Change my name by Deed Poll
- Age 14 – with parental consent
- Age 18 – without parental consent
Get a Social Welfare payment in my own name
- Age 16 – Disability Allowance
- Age 18 – Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Illness Benefit
Page edited:
9 August 2017