There have been a relatively large number of changes to the rules and procedures around employment permits in Ireland over the past 2 years.
In 2024, we had the consolidation of the previous 20 years of employment permit legislation in the Employment Permits Act 2025.
In 2025, we had the move from the Department of Enterprise’s Employment Permits Online System, to an online portal system that requires far more active involvement at all stages by the parties in each application.
The minimum annual remuneration (or salary thresholds) have also changed and rules varied over the past number of years.
Changes to the remuneration requirements were first proposed and signposted in a 2023 Roadmap published by the Department of Enterprise, which followed on from an extensive review of the employment permit system more broadly. On foot of further consultation with industry over 2024 and 2025, the proposed increases were deferred.
However, those deferred raises are now back on the table and are due to come in on 1 March 2026.
Under the new rules, General Employment Permits will see the minimum salary rise from €34,000 to €36,605 per annum (for a 39 hour week), while Critical Skills Employment Permits will increase from €38,000 to €40,904.
Certain roles in sectors such as meat processing, horticulture, healthcare assistance, and home care will also experience threshold increases from €30,000 to €32,691.
The new roadmap is flagging increases in minimum salaries from now through to 2030.
Employers and employees will need to be careful in their timing to ensure that the salary they agree meets the thresholds applicable when they file the application. To make sure that your plans meet current requirements, make sure to reach out to our immigration law team here at McGrath Mullan LLP.
More legal articles from McGrath Mullan:
- Employment Visa Appeal
- Continuous Residence and Naturalisation
- Eligibility for a Stamp 4 EUFAM application based on marriage or de facto partnership with an EEA National
- Employment Permits for Circus Artistes in Ireland: Key changes coming from November 2025
- The 50:50 Rule in Ireland’s Employment Permit System: Legal Basis, Exceptions and Recent Amendments
- Recognition of Foreign Divorces
- General Employment Permits – What you need to know