Can I get a PPS number if I live in Northern Ireland?

PPS Number and Northern Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland, you cannot get or use a Personal Public Service (PPS) number, as it is exclusively valid in the Republic of Ireland. Because Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, employment rules and administrative systems follow UK standards.

To work legally or access benefits in Northern Ireland, you must instead apply for a National Insurance number. This unique identifier tracks your tax and social security contributions across the UK.

For official guidance and step-by-step instructions on starting your application, check out the Border People resource page dedicated to National Insurance numbers.