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Language
Irish is the first official language
Country guide · Ireland
Living and working in Ireland
A guide for international candidates
Unless you're an Irish, EU, EEA, Swiss or UK citizen, you'll usually need an employment permit to work in Ireland. The two main ones are the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit. Since 1 March 2026 they generally start at €40,904 and €36,605 a year. Rent varies widely, with Dublin the most expensive by far.
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Euro
Currency
€, EUR
Dublin
Capital
IST / GMT
Time zone
Irish Standard Time (UTC+1) in summer, GMT in winter
112 or 999
Emergency number
Type G
Plug
Three rectangular pins, 230 V
Last checked 12 October 2026. Estimates are labelled.
Where the jobs are
All regions lets you pick a place and see rent, jobs and the sectors in this guide. Choose a sector to see that industry in every place.
Cyan is the region you picked. Navy is everywhere else.
Region
Border
- People in work
- 212k
- Strongest sector
- Healthcare
Sector strength vs average for Ireland
- Techn/a
- Healthcare1.20×
- Engineeringn/a
- Financen/a
- Hospitalityn/a
Job links open all Ireland roles for now.
View the map as a table
| Region | Counties | Population, Apr 2026 | People in work | Sectors above average (LQ 1.05 or more) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Border | Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo | 447,600 | 212,300 | Industry 1.23, Healthcare 1.20 (Tech suppressed) |
| West | Galway, Mayo, Roscommon | 531,100 | 273,600 | Industry 1.34 (Finance suppressed) |
| Mid-West | Clare, Limerick, Tipperary | 543,000 | 274,100 | Industry 1.40 |
| South-East | Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford | 485,400 | 236,100 | Hospitality 1.25, Healthcare 1.07, Industry 1.07 (Tech suppressed) |
| South-West | Cork, Kerry | 792,900 | 416,400 | Hospitality 1.29, Industry 1.27 |
| Dublin | Dublin | 1,597,700 | 840,600 | Tech 1.82, Finance 1.71 |
| Mid-East | Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wicklow | 788,400 | 403,100 | Finance 1.09 |
| Midland | Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath | 339,400 | 166,900 | None at 1.05; Industry and Hospitality 1.04 (Tech and Finance suppressed) |
Cities
Pay, rent and the share of pay that rent takes. Estimates stay labelled.
Ireland
Dublin
- Rent
- €2,159
- Pay
- Not listed
- Rent share
- 51%
9.7°C mean; 773 mm rain; about 4.0 hours of sun a day (Dublin Airport)
See jobs in DublinIreland
Cork
- Rent
- €1,701
- Pay
- Not listed
- Rent share
- 42%
10.0°C; 1,239 mm; about 4.0 hours a day (Cork Airport)
See jobs in CorkIreland
Galway
- Rent
- €1,850
- Pay
- Not listed
- Rent share
- 48%
Mean daily high 19.8°C in July, 8.8°C in January (Met Éireann 1991 to 2020 climate averages, Galway, via data.gov.ie)
Tools
Step 1 of 2
Visa route finder
A route to read about, not a decision on your application. Figures are the ones in this guide.
Rent and pay
The pay and rent figures already in this guide. This is not a tax calculation.
Rent a month in Dublin
€2,159
- Pay
- Not listed
- Rent share of pay
- 51%
Take-home pay
Revenue shows how PAYE and the Universal Social Charge are worked out. Your tax credit certificate sets the band and the credits.
See how Revenue calculates taxVisa routes to read about
These describe the route. They do not say whether you qualify.
- Source
Critical Skills Employment Permit
Listed occupation with a relevant degree at €40,904 or more (DETE's table shows €40,909; the statutory instrument says €40,904); recent graduates €36,848; any eligible occupation at €68,911. €1,000 fee.
- Source
General Employment Permit
€36,605 generally; €32,691 for healthcare assistants, home carers, care workers, meat and horticultural operatives; €34,009 for recent Irish graduates. Labour Market Needs Test in most cases.
- Source
Intra-Company Transfer
(and Contract for Services): €49,522.
Changing employer
After 9 months in the first permit job (Employment Permits Act 2024).
Little-known facts
Daily life
- Good to knowthe rental market, soft rain and long summer evenings, the pub and GAA club as social spaces, bilingual signs, small-talk culture.
- HealthcarePublic healthcare is run by the HSE.
- HealthcareMost people pay to see a GP unless they have a medical card or GP visit card; many people also take private health insurance.
Family, school and pets
- SchoolPrimary and post-primary schools; Irish is taught in most schools.
- FamilyFamily: Critical Skills holders' spouses and partners can apply for permission to join and work (describe, link ISD).
- ChildcareChildcare: the National Childcare Scheme universal subsidy is €2.14 an hour for up to 45 hours a week (up to €96.30), for children from 24 weeks to 15 years, not means-tested (ncs.gov.ie).
From job offer to settled in
1
Timeline from offer to day 90
Employment permit, entry visa if needed, arrival, register with immigration (IRP card), PPS number, bank, GP, housing, schools
2
"What to bring"
Passport, permit, degree certificates, references, prescriptions
Questions
Do I need a job offer to get an employment permit?
Yes. Employment permits are tied to a job offer from an Irish employer, and either the employer or the employee can apply. For your case, talk to a specialist.
What's the difference between Critical Skills and General permits?
Critical Skills covers listed, mostly degree-level occupations from €40,904 and has no Labour Market Needs Test. The General permit covers most other eligible jobs from €36,605 and usually needs the job advertised first.
Can I change jobs on a permit?
After 9 months with your first permit employer, you can apply for a new permit with a new employer, within limits on occupation type.
Do bonuses count towards the salary threshold?
No. DETE excludes bonuses from annual remuneration.
Is healthcare free?
Public hospital care is available, but most people pay for GP visits unless they hold a medical card or GP visit card. Many people take private health insurance.
Does every employer on Global Sponsor Hub sponsor visas?
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