Ireland Raises Work Permit Salary Thresholds from March 2026: What Job Seekers Need to Know

The Irish government rolled out a revised salary threshold roadmap in December 2025, and the first wave of increases hit on 1 March 2026. If you are looking for a visa sponsorship job in Ireland, these numbers directly affect the minimum salary your employer must offer before a permit application can even be submitted.

What Actually Changed

The minimum annual remuneration (MAR) thresholds increased by 7.66% across most permit types. For the Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP), the new minimums are:

For roles on the Critical Skills Occupation List with a relevant degree: EUR 40,904 per year (up from EUR 38,000). For roles not on the ineligible list: EUR 68,911 per year (up from EUR 64,000). For recent graduates with a qualification obtained within 12 months: EUR 36,848 per year.

The Phased Roadmap Through 2030

The government originally planned a 15.8% jump, but after industry pushback, it was scaled down to 7.66% for the first phase. Further adjustments will follow annually through 2030. Sub-standard MAR thresholds for sectors like healthcare and agri-food will be phased out gradually, increasing by 9% in 2026 rather than being eliminated overnight.

Who Benefits from Exemptions

Public sector roles that qualify for a CSEP and are subject to national pay agreements are exempt from the new thresholds entirely. This is especially relevant for healthcare workers in the HSE system and researchers at publicly funded institutions.

What This Means for Your Job Search

When negotiating offers, know your floor. If a company offers EUR 39,000 for a Critical Skills role, that no longer meets the threshold. Use the VisaJobs salary checker to compare offers against the new minimums before accepting anything. And if you are a recent graduate, you have a lower threshold window of 12 months from your qualification date, so timing matters.

Browse visa sponsorship jobs on VisaJobs Ireland to find roles that meet the new thresholds and are actively hiring international talent.