MyGovID is a free single login for Irish public services: create a basic account with your email now, and upgrade to a verified account later. A basic account lets you apply for a PPS number. A verified account opens almost everything else.
What you need
- An email address you check often (for a basic account)
- A strong password you do not use anywhere else
- For a verified account: your PPS number
- A mobile phone that can receive verification codes
- To verify online: a Public Services Card (PSC). Without one: the MyGovID app or an in-person appointment
Step by step
- Open the sign-up page on mygovid.ie. Always type the address yourself or use a link from gov.ie.
- Enter your email and create a password. Click “Register now”.
- Confirm your email. Enter the code sent to your inbox. You now have a basic account.
- Use it to apply for your PPS number on MyWelfare. See our PPS number guide.
- Upgrade to verified. When you have a PPS number, go back to MyGovID. If you have a Public Services Card, you can verify online.
- No Public Services Card yet? Verify with the MyGovID app, or book a “safe registration” appointment at a PSC Centre.
- Log in with 2-step codes. A verified account sends a code to your mobile phone each time you log in.
Basic or verified: what can each do?
| Account | You need | Examples of what it opens |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Email address | Book a PPS number appointment, request PRSI contribution records, apply for jobs on JobsIreland.ie |
| Verified | PPS number + PSC, app or in-person check, plus a mobile phone | Full access to MyGovID services, such as a driving licence or learner permit application and the National Childcare Scheme |
Some services, such as your Revenue PAYE account (myAccount), some social welfare services and Housing Assistance Payment applications, can use a verified MyGovID. The full and current list is on the MyGovID website.
Why it matters in your first weeks
For many newcomers, MyGovID is the first Irish account they create. You need it to apply for your PPS number online. Later, the same login can help you manage your tax as a PAYE worker, check your PRSI contributions, apply for some social welfare payments and, if you plan to drive, deal with your learner permit or driving licence.
Set it up early, even before you have a job or a home. It costs nothing and saves time later.
Tips and common mistakes
- Use one email for life. Pick an address you will keep after you change job or college.
- Keep your mobile number up to date. If you change your Irish number, update MyGovID before you lose the old SIM.
- Watch for fake sites. Scammers copy government login pages. MyGovID is free, and the official pages do not mention any fee.
- Never share your codes. No real official will ask you for your password or a login code by phone, text or email.
Cost and timing: a basic account takes minutes. Verification depends on your route. Appointment availability changes, so check gov.ie for current information.
Do it faster with GetKG
- How to create a strong password — protect the login that opens your tax, welfare and licence records
- Spot phishing links — learn the warning signs of fake login pages
- Image Compressor — make document photos small enough to upload
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a PPS number to create MyGovID?
Not for a basic account. You only need an email address. You need a PPS number to upgrade to a verified account.
What is the Public Services Card?
It is a card from the Department of Social Protection that proves your identity for some public services. With a PSC and your PPS number you can verify MyGovID online.
Is MyGovID the same as Revenue myAccount?
No. myAccount is the Revenue service for PAYE workers. MyGovID is a login you can use to access it and many other public services.
I changed my phone number. Can I still log in?
A verified account sends a code to your mobile, so update your number in MyGovID settings while you can still receive codes. If you are locked out, contact MyGovID support from the official site.
This page is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice. Rules can change, so always check the official sources above.
Next step: open an account so you can get paid. Read our guide to opening a bank account in Ireland.