PPS Number Ireland — How to Get One, Find a Lost One, or Apply for a Child

A Personal Public Service Number (PPS number) is a unique reference number that identifies you for all dealings with public services in Ireland. Think of it as your permanent administrative identity number.

You use your PPS number for:

• Paying tax and receiving tax credits through Revenue
• Claiming social welfare payments (Jobseeker's, Child Benefit, etc.)
• Accessing public health services
• Enrolling children in school
• Opening certain bank accounts
• Renting or buying property
• Starting a new job (your employer needs it to set up your tax)

Your PPS number is yours for life. It doesn't change. It's issued once — if you've ever worked in Ireland, applied for a social welfare payment, or accessed the health service, you almost certainly already have one.

A PPS number is not a social security number in the US sense, though it serves similar functions. The official term is Personal Public Service Number, always shortened to PPS number.

The process differs depending on who you are and why you need a number. Find your situation below.

Irish person who has never had a PPS number This is uncommon, but happens — usually for people born in Ireland who never worked, studied, or claimed any public service. Apply in person at your nearest Intreo centre. You'll need proof of identity (passport or driving licence), proof of address (utility bill, bank statement), and a reason for needing the number. You'll go through the SAFE 2 registration process (see below) and receive a Public Services Card in the post.

Irish person who has lost their PPS number You haven't lost it — you've just misplaced the record. Your number hasn't changed. Ways to find it:

• Check an old P60 or payslip from any Irish employer
• Log into Revenue myAccount (myaccount.revenue.ie) — your PPS number is displayed once you're logged in
• Check your Public Services Card if you have one
• Contact Citizens Information (0818 07 4000) — they can advise how to retrieve it

Non-EEA national arriving in Ireland You must apply in person at a PSCS (Public Services Card Service) centre — there is no postal or online option for first-time non-national applicants. You'll need:

• Valid passport or national identity document
• Immigration permission (stamp in passport, IRP card, or letter from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service)
• Proof of address in Ireland (utility bill, bank statement, or letter from a landlord)
• Reason for needing the number (job offer letter, letter from a public body, etc.)

EEA national living in Ireland Same process as above — apply in person at an Intreo centre or PSCS centre. Bring your passport or national ID card, proof of address in Ireland, and your reason for needing the number. Some employers will accept your home country tax ID temporarily while you wait for your Irish PPS number to be issued, but you'll need the Irish number for Revenue tax credits to be applied correctly.

Applying for a child's PPS number A parent or guardian applies on behalf of the child. This is done through the DHSA (Department of Health) for newborns (usually handled automatically when registering a birth), or through Intreo for older children. You'll need the child's birth certificate, your own PPS number and ID, and evidence that the child lives in Ireland. The child's number is then used for Child Benefit, school enrolment, and health services.

Since 2016, getting a PPS number involves SAFE 2 (Standard Authentication Framework Environment, Level 2) registration. This is the official identity verification process used across Irish public services.

SAFE 2 registration happens at a PSCS centre (which is usually co-located with an Intreo centre). The process involves verifying your identity in person. Once completed, you receive a Public Services Card (PSC) — a photo ID card with your PPS number on it. The PSC is not a mandatory ID document, but it is a useful one, accepted as proof of identity for many public services.

Booking an appointment In most cities and larger towns, appointments are required and you cannot walk in. Book at mywelfare.ie or call your local Intreo centre. Wait times vary by location, typically 1–3 weeks in Dublin, shorter elsewhere.

What to bring to your appointment

• Primary photo ID: passport, national ID card, or Irish driving licence
• Proof of address: utility bill, bank statement, or official letter (dated within 3 months)
• Your reason for needing the number: job offer, letter from Revenue, letter from a public body, school enrolment confirmation, etc.
• Any previous correspondence with the Department of Social Protection if you've dealt with them before

After the appointment, your PPS number will be confirmed and your Public Services Card posted within 10–14 working days.

Revenue myAccount — myaccount.revenue.ie Register here as soon as you have your PPS number. This is where you manage your tax credits, update your employment details, request refunds, and file returns if needed. If you're starting a new job, you need to add your employer through myAccount so they can access your tax credit certificate and deduct the correct amount of tax.

MyWelfare — mywelfare.ie If you need to apply for any social welfare payment (Jobseeker's, Child Benefit, Back to Education, etc.), this is the online portal. You register with your PPS number.

Public Services Card The PSC you receive after SAFE 2 registration is accepted as proof of identity at government offices, some banks, and the post office. It's not a travel document and cannot be used to enter other countries.

Citizens Information — citizensinformation.ie or 0818 07 4000 The best first stop for PPS number queries. They can tell you exactly what documents you need for your specific situation and which office to contact.

Intreo centre locator — gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-social-protection Find your nearest Intreo centre. If you're in a major city, you'll almost certainly need an appointment rather than a walk-in visit.

Revenue myAccount — myaccount.revenue.ie If you already have a PPS number, register here immediately. All your tax management is done through this portal.