In December 2025, the Irish Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) released a "Roadmap for Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR)," setting a clear path for salary growth through 2030. The first major milestone in this roadmap arrives on 1 March 2026. For employers and international professionals alike, this is not just an administrative update—it is a fundamental shift in the cost and eligibility of working in Ireland. At Recruitroo, we have already integrated these 2026 thresholds into our platform to ensure every job offer made through our system is legally compliant from day one.
The Headline Changes for 2026
The March 2026 increases represent a balanced approach by the government, aimed at ensuring fair wages for migrant workers while maintaining Ireland's competitiveness. Rather than the sharp 14-15% jumps originally discussed in early 2024, the government has settled on a more manageable 7.66% uplift for most categories. Here are the definitive figures for 2026:
| Permit Category | Pre-March 2026 Rate | New Rate (1 March 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| General Employment Permit (GEP) | €34,000 | €36,605 |
| Critical Skills (CSEP) - with Degree | €38,000 | €40,904 |
| Critical Skills (CSEP) - No Degree | €64,000 | €68,911 |
| Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) | €46,000 | €49,523 |
It is important to note that these figures are based on base gross salary. The 2026 enforcement guidelines from the DETE are increasingly strict regarding "salary padding"—the practice of using bonuses, overtime, or health insurance allowances to reach the threshold. To pass a 2026 audit, the base salary on the contract must meet these minimums on its own.
The "Renewal Gap" Warning
The most critical challenge for Irish employers in 2026 is the Renewal Threshold. If you currently employ a professional on a General Employment Permit at €34,000, and their permit is due for renewal after 1 March 2026, you must increase their salary to €36,605 to successfully renew the permit. This applies regardless of the original salary agreed upon in their 2024 or 2025 contract. Failure to account for this "salary jump" in your 2026 budgets could lead to involuntary exits of your key international staff.
Pro-Rata and Hourly Rates in 2026
In 2026, the Department of Enterprise calculates the MAR based on a standard 39-hour working week. If your employees work 40 hours or more, their annual salary must be adjusted upward to match the equivalent hourly rate of the threshold. For example, the €36,605 GEP threshold equates to roughly €18.05 per hour. At Recruitroo, our built-in calculator automatically adjusts for different contract hours, ensuring that your pro-rata offers are never "under-threshold" and at risk of rejection.
Furthermore, from 1 January 2026, the Irish National Minimum Wage has increased to €14.15 per hour. While the employment permit thresholds are significantly higher, it is essential that all payroll systems are updated to ensure no worker—international or domestic—falls below this legal floor. Recruitroo provides a full 2026 Payroll Compliance audit for our partners to prevent these common mistakes.
Relocation Advice: "Candidates should be aware that a higher salary threshold often leads to stricter vetting of their skills and experience. In 2026, you need to prove you are worth the 'new minimum' by having a perfectly tailored CV and up-to-date certifications." — Sarah Murphy, Relocation Advisor.
Strategic Planning with Recruitroo
The 2026 salary roadmap is a clear signal that the Irish economy is moving toward a higher-wage, higher-skill model. To thrive in this environment, companies must move away from ad-hoc recruitment and toward strategic, software-driven talent management. Recruitroo’s platform provides the real-time data you need to budget for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 increases before they happen.
Are your salaries 2026-ready? Book a demo of our 2026 Salary Compliance tool. Candidates, find high-value roles in Ireland at Recruitroo.com/candidates or visit Recruitroo.com for our full relocation guide.