Employment Permit Salary Thresholds in Ireland Explained

If you need a work permit to live and work in Ireland, the salary on your job offer is one of the first things that decides which permit you can apply for. Ireland's employment permit system sets minimum remuneration levels, and those levels are reviewed from time to time. This guide explains how thresholds work and how to check the current figure before you or your employer apply.

Figures change annually — verify before acting.

At time of writing, the exact thresholds are published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. We do not quote precise amounts here because they have changed in the past and may have changed again. Always confirm on enterprise.gov.ie before applying, and ask your employer to do the same.

Why Thresholds Exist

The employment permit system aims to fill genuine skills gaps while protecting wages and working conditions. A minimum salary stops permits being used to bring in workers at below-market pay. Some permit types also require the occupation to appear on a list of eligible or ineligible roles, so salary is only one test among several.

The Main Permit Types

Critical Skills Employment Permit

This permit is aimed at highly skilled roles in areas of shortage, such as certain technology, engineering and health professions. It has historically carried a higher salary threshold, with a lower threshold for specific occupations on the critical skills list. It usually allows a faster route to long-term residence and permits family reunification more easily than other types.

General Employment Permit

This is the broader route for roles that are not on the ineligible list. It has a lower minimum salary than the critical skills permit, but the employer typically has to complete a labour market needs test and the role must meet the eligibility conditions. Some occupations on the ineligible list cannot be filled through this route at all.

Other permits

Intra-company transfer permits, reactivation permits, Contract for Services permits and others have their own conditions. The salary rules can differ, so read the guidance for your specific permit.

How Thresholds Are Applied

• The threshold usually refers to annual remuneration stated in the job offer, not your take-home pay.
• The offer must reflect a genuine, full-time employment contract in most cases.
• Where the threshold is higher for some occupations, the job title and duties must match the category claimed.
• The employer, not the employee, normally submits the application for most permit types, so they must be confident of the current figure.

Checking the Current Figure

1. Visit enterprise.gov.ie and open the employment permits section.
2. Find the page for your permit type and read the minimum remuneration requirement.
3. Check the lists of eligible and ineligible occupations to confirm your role qualifies.
4. Compare the figure with your written job offer, including any guaranteed allowances that count towards remuneration.
5. If your offer sits close to the threshold, ask the employer to confirm in writing that they have checked the latest rule.

What Happens If the Threshold Rises

Thresholds that increase can affect new applications and, in some cases, renewals. If you already hold a permit, your renewal may be assessed against the rules in force at the time you renew, so a salary that was enough at the start may need to be higher later. Talk to your employer early, ideally several months before expiry.

Practical Tips

• Do not accept a job offer on the assumption that a permit will be granted. Ask whether the employer has experience with the process.
• Keep copies of your contract, qualifications and passport pages in a single folder.
• Use our salary calculator to understand what a gross salary means in take-home pay in Ireland.
• Once you arrive, get your PPS number and register your residence as required.
• Budget for rent using our guide to renting in Ireland.

Common Mistakes

People often confuse gross and net pay, assume a bonus counts towards the threshold when it is not guaranteed, or rely on an old threshold from a forum post. Others overlook the occupation lists, which can be as important as the salary figure. Read the whole guidance page, not just the headline number.

How Thresholds Relate to Family and Long-Term Plans

Salary thresholds matter beyond the first permit. Your permit type can affect whether a spouse or partner may work in Ireland, how quickly you can move toward long-term residence, and whether you can change employer without a fresh application. If your goal is to settle, ask early which permit is best suited to your role and what the pathway looks like. A permit that appears slightly easier to obtain today may carry fewer long-term options.

It is also sensible to ask your prospective employer whether they have sponsored permits before. Experienced employers usually know the current rules, keep the paperwork tidy and respond quickly if the Department asks for more information. A delay in the paperwork can mean a delay in your start date, which affects your relocation budget and your housing plans.

Frequently Asked Questions