The typical buyer
You own the firm. You made the decision to look into this when your third agency came back with nothing. You are not a talent acquisition team - you have no HR function. You will be the one dealing with the paperwork.
This guide is for the person who has to do everything. It strips the permit process back to the decisions you actually have to make and the steps you actually have to take, across the three sectors where Irish owner-operators most commonly hire internationally in 2026.
The one thing that matters more than anything else
Which sector are you in?
Construction - what you need
- Confirm the trade is on the eligible list
- €36,605 minimum salary (basic only)
- Start LMNT and source simultaneously
- Trusted Partner status if hiring 3+ this year
- See our contractor guide
Automotive or transport - what is different
- Motor technicians: same GEP at €36,605
- Drivers: licence exchange position mapped before offer
- CPC for bus/coach: checked and planned before arrival
- See our dealer guide or driver guide
The things that trip up first-timers in every sector
- Inconsistency between documents: the advert, the contract and the permit application must describe the same job at the same salary. This is the single most common cause of refusal and it is entirely avoidable.
- Confusing basic pay with total remuneration: the €36,605 floor is basic salary. Allowances, flat-rate earnings, overtime and bonuses do not count. Check your pay structure before setting the advertised salary.
- Not modelling the 50/50 rule: more than half your total workforce must be EEA nationals when each application is filed. For a ten-person company hiring three non-EEA workers in sequence, this is fine. For a six-person company planning the same, run the maths first.
- Assuming the permit gets them working: in construction it largely does. In transport it does not - the licence and CPC layers mean the driver may not be commercially operable for weeks or months after arrival.
What Trusted Partner status actually means
Trusted Partner registration with DETE is an annual accreditation that gives your permit applications priority processing. Processing time drops from four to eight weeks to two to four weeks per application. There is a registration fee and an obligation to meet certain compliance standards. For an owner-operator making two or more hires per year, it pays back on the first application. Register via EPOS.
Running this for the first time and want someone to walk you through it?
Recruitroo works with Irish owner-operators across construction, automotive and transport. We run the process - sourcing, LMNT, permits, visas and arrivals - and explain each step as we go. The first conversation is free.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run the permit process myself, without an agent?
Yes. The application is filed directly by the employer on EPOS. An agent speeds up the process and reduces error risk, but it is not mandatory. Most first-timers find the LMNT the hardest part to manage alone.
What is the cheapest way to hire an international worker legally?
The permit fee is €1,000 (90% refundable on refusal). Filing it yourself on EPOS is the cheapest route. The salary must clear €36,605 basic regardless of how you structure the hire.
How do I know if the role I want to fill is eligible?
Check the current occupation lists on the DETE website, or run the role through our eligibility checker. Occupation codes matter - the description of the job has to match an eligible occupation, not just the job title.
This guide is for Irish SME owner-operators and reflects permit rules as of September 2026. Thresholds, occupation lists and processing times change - check current DETE guidance or ask Recruitroo before planning a hire.