Irish employers weighing international recruitment against domestic hiring need a clear cost comparison. International hiring has upfront costs that domestic does not -- permit fees, visa processing, relocation support. But domestic recruitment in shortage sectors has its own costs: agency fees, extended vacancy periods, and the opportunity cost of unfilled roles. This guide compares the two side by side for Ireland in 2026.
Domestic Recruitment Cost Stack
International Recruitment Cost Stack
The Vacancy Cost
What an Unfilled Role Costs
Construction: An unfilled electrician costs EUR 1,000-2,500 per week in lost productivity and subcontractor cover.
Healthcare: An unfilled nurse shift costs EUR 500-1,200 per week in agency cover.
Hospitality: An unfilled chef costs EUR 600-1,500 per week in reduced covers and overtime.
Manufacturing: An unfilled CNC operator costs EUR 800-2,000 per week in lost production.
A role unfilled for 3-6 months while exhausting the domestic market costs EUR 10,000-50,000 in vacancy costs alone. An international hire at EUR 5,000-8,600 that arrives in 4-6 months is often the cheaper option.
Retention Comparison
International Hires Stay Longer
International workers on employment permits have a structural incentive to stay -- their permission is tied to the employer for the permit duration. Combined with the investment in relocation, first-year retention rates for well-supported international hires are typically 80-90%, compared to 60-70% for domestic hires in shortage sectors.
When Domestic Is Better
Stick With Domestic When
The role is genuinely fillable locally within 4-6 weeks
You need someone to start within 2 weeks
The role is on the Ineligible List
The role is temporary or seasonal
The Blended Approach
The most effective Irish employers run both pipelines in parallel. Advertise locally while building an international pipeline. If domestic delivers, great. If not, the international pipeline is already months ahead. The LMNT advertising -- required for GEP anyway -- serves as your domestic advertising step.
How Recruitroo Models the Comparison
Recruitroo models the full cost comparison for each role -- domestic agency fees versus international all-in cost, factoring in vacancy cost and retention. Our clients make data-driven decisions about when to go international.
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Get a QuoteSee Client StoriesThis guide reflects typical Irish recruitment costs as of May 2026. Individual costs vary.