In the evolving landscape of Irish immigration, the General Employment Permit remains the primary gateway for non-EEA talent entering diverse industries—from healthcare and construction to specialised retail management. As we move through 2026, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has introduced refined standards for compliance to ensure the local labour market remains balanced. At Recruitroo, we provide the technical and legal guardrails to ensure your permit application is right the first time.
Core Compliance: The 2026 Eligibility Framework
Before initiating an application, it is essential to understand that the General Employment Permit is "occupation-led." This means it is available for all occupations unless they are specifically listed on the Ineligible List of Occupations. However, meeting the basic job title requirement is only the beginning. Employers must satisfy two critical pillars: the 50:50 workforce ratio and the updated remuneration thresholds.
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The 50:50 Workforce Rule: Your business must demonstrate that at least 50% of your current employees are EEA nationals (including Irish citizens). Recruitroo’s dashboard provides a real-time audit of your workforce to ensure you don't fall foul of this rule mid-application.
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Updated Remuneration: To combat inflation and ensure fair market value, the minimum annual salary has been set at €34,000 for most roles as of early 2026. This excludes bonuses or non-guaranteed payments.
Mastering the Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT)
The LMNT is the most frequent cause of application delays or refusals. You must prove no suitable EEA national was available by following a strict 28-day advertising cycle that cannot be cut short by even a single hour:
- Government Listing: Post the role on the EURES/DSP portal for a full 28 days.
- National Print: Run three consecutive days of advertisements in a national newspaper.
- Local Digital: Supplement with three days of advertising on a local or industry-specific jobs board.
Navigating the Renewal Process
A General Employment Permit is typically issued for an initial period of two years. It is a common misconception that the second term is "automatic." To renew, the employer must again prove the 50:50 rule is satisfied and that the employee has been paid the correct salary throughout their tenure. Recruitroo’s automated compliance engine tracks every payslip and permit expiry date, notifying you 90 days before a renewal is required to prevent any "gaps" in the right to work.
Expert Advice: "The Recruitroo portal simplified the complex Irish visa rules into a simple, step-by-step checklist. It gave me total peace of mind during my relocation and ensured my paperwork was flawless before I even left home." — Sarah Murphy, Relocation Advisor.
Why the Recruitroo Advantage Matters
Modern recruitment is no longer just about finding a CV; it is about managing the global mobility lifecycle. Our platform automates advertising tracking, document collection, and DETE portal integration. This ensures that every piece of evidence is "Decision-Ready," reducing processing times and helping you secure the talent you need before your competitors do. We bridge the gap between human HR and technical immigration compliance.
Ready to scale your team with international talent? Book a demo with our mobility experts today. If you are a professional seeking your next role in Ireland, explore our candidate opportunities here or visit Recruitroo.com.