Rate in 2026
€20 a week
The increase, sometimes called the Island Allowance, is meant to cover the extra cost of travelling to the mainland for services. Comparable pensions from another EU state or the UK also qualify.
Quick facts
- Rate in 2026
- €20 a week
- From January 2027
- €25 a week
- Age 66 or over
- State Pension, Carer's Allowance, Bereaved Partner's Pension and others
- Under 66
- Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and others
- Form
- None
How much
"Since January 2021, the Increase for Living on a Specified Island is €20 each week." Budget 2027: "The Living on a Specified Island Allowance will increase by €5 from €20 to €25 per week."
Who qualifies
You must ordinarily live on a specified island. At 66 or over, you must get the State Pension (Contributory or Non-Contributory), Bereaved Partner's (Contributory) Pension, Carer's Allowance, or Bereaved Partner's Benefit under the Occupational Injuries scheme.
Under 66, you must get Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, or Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries scheme. A comparable pension from another EU state or the UK counts too.
How you get it
"There is no application form to get an increase in the rate of your social welfare payment for living on a specified island." It is assessed when you apply for your payment, and "If you are on a qualifying payment you automatically get the increase when you reach 66 years of age." If it is missing, contact the section of the Department that pays you.
Common questions
How much is the island allowance?
€20 a week in 2026. Budget 2027 raises it to €25 a week from January 2027.
Do I need to apply for the island increase?
No. It is added when your qualifying payment is assessed. If you live on a specified island and it isn't on your payment, contact the section that pays you.
Which payments get the island increase?
State Pensions, Carer's Allowance and Bereaved Partner's Pension at 66 or over; Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance and Blind Pension under 66; plus some Occupational Injuries payments.