How much does a recruitment agency actually cost in Ireland, and what are you paying for? Employers new to international recruitment are often surprised by the total bill — not because individual fees are hidden, but because recruitment charges, immigration solicitor fees, and relocation costs are usually invoiced separately. This guide breaks down what Irish employers actually pay for recruitment in 2026, across different models, with realistic numbers for domestic and international hires.
The Main Fee Models
Recruitment in Ireland generally follows one of four pricing models:
1. Contingent Percentage Fee
The traditional model. You pay a percentage of the hire's first-year salary — typically 15-25% — only if a placement is made. Common for permanent commercial, finance and IT roles. For a €50,000 salary at 20%, the fee is €10,000.
2. Retained Search
Used for senior or hard-to-fill roles. An upfront retainer (often a third) at engagement, a second instalment at shortlist, and a final instalment on placement. Total fee is usually 25-33% of first-year salary. Common for executive hires.
3. Flat Fee Recruitment
A fixed price per placement regardless of salary. Typical range in Ireland: €3,000-€8,000 per hire. Better economics for higher-salary roles where percentage fees would be expensive; worse for junior roles where percentages are modest.
4. Subscription / Platform
A fixed monthly or annual subscription for unlimited roles (within fair use). Common in modern recruitment platforms. Irish employers hiring 5-30 people per year often find this materially cheaper than contingent percentage fees.
Typical Domestic Recruitment Fees in Ireland
International Recruitment — The Total Cost Picture
International hires have additional costs beyond the recruitment fee. The full picture typically includes:
The Eight Line Items in an International Hire
1. Recruitment fee
Traditional agency: €4,000-€12,000+ for international sourcing. Platform model: often included in a bundled fee.
2. Employment permit fee
€1,000 for a 2-year permit, payable to DETE.
3. LMNT advertising (GEP only)
€200-€600 for newspaper ad and jobs board placement.
4. Immigration solicitor fees
€1,500-€3,000 per application if you use a solicitor. Some agencies subcontract this.
5. Candidate visa fee
€60-€100, usually paid by the candidate.
6. IRP registration
€300, usually paid by the candidate.
7. Flights and initial accommodation
€1,500-€3,500 depending on origin and duration.
8. Relocation support
€500-€2,000 if handled by a separate provider.
Realistic Total Costs — Three Scenarios
Traditional agency figures include recruitment fee, immigration solicitor fee, permit fee and LMNT. Platform figures include sourcing, permit filing, visa coordination and onboarding support.
What Are You Actually Paying For?
Where the Money Goes in a Traditional Agency
• Recruiter time — sourcing, screening, interviewing, candidate management
• Database and advertising — LinkedIn Recruiter licences, job board subscriptions
• Guarantee / replacement cover — a free replacement if the hire leaves within 3-6 months
• Margin — typical agency margin is 30-50% of revenue
• Overhead — office, management, sales
Where the Money Goes in a Platform Model
• Software and automation — sourcing, screening, document handling
• Thin operational layer — human review, client support, candidate experience
• Permit and visa processing — in-platform rather than via a solicitor
• Lower margin, higher volume — software businesses run at lower margin per hire and make it up on scale
Hidden Fees to Watch Out For
Questions to Ask Before Signing
• Is the permit fee included, or extra? — Many agencies quote the recruitment fee only.
• Is immigration solicitor work included? — Often subcontracted and billed separately.
• Is LMNT advertising included? — Some agencies pass this through, some build it in.
• What's the replacement guarantee? — How long, and what triggers it?
• What happens if the permit is refused? — Do you pay for the re-submission?
• Are visa and relocation costs additional? — For international hires, yes in most cases.
The Cost-Effective Recruitment Question
The employers who get the best cost per hire in Ireland share a few habits:
Five Habits of Cost-Effective Recruiters
• Consolidate providers — one provider for sourcing, permit, visa and onboarding is cheaper than three.
• Measure total cost, not line item — the cheapest recruitment fee often has the most expensive extras.
• Plan 6 months ahead — urgent hires cost more in every model.
• Negotiate volume deals — if you're hiring five or more similar roles, you should have a volume rate.
• Compare platform to agency on like-for-like scope — include all the add-ons.
When to Use an Agency vs a Platform
How Recruitroo Prices International Hires
Recruitroo operates on a bundled per-hire model for international recruitment. Our all-in price typically lands at €2,500-€4,000 per hire depending on country, role and permit type — covering sourcing, screening, permit filing, visa coordination and relocation support. There are no separate immigration solicitor fees, no separate LMNT advertising invoices, and no surprises at the end.
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Tell us the role, the country, and the quantity. We'll come back with a bundled all-in price and a realistic timeline within 24 hours.
Recruitment fees vary significantly by agency, sector and role level. Figures in this guide reflect typical market ranges for Ireland in 2026; individual quotes may differ.