When you decide to hire internationally, the first commercial question is: who handles the process? The two main options are a traditional recruitment agency and a direct recruitment platform. They serve the same end goal -- a qualified worker on your site or in your facility -- but they differ on cost, speed, transparency, compliance handling and ongoing control. This guide compares the two models head-to-head for Irish employers hiring in construction, manufacturing, automotive, transport, engineering and pharma in 2026.
How a Traditional Recruitment Agency Works
A traditional international recruitment agency employs recruiters -- often based in the source country -- who find candidates, screen them, and present a shortlist. Most agencies subcontract the permit application to an immigration solicitor. Some coordinate relocation; many do not. The fee model is typically 15-20% of first-year salary or a flat per-hire fee of EUR 5,000-12,000.
How a Direct Recruitment Platform Works
A platform combines software and a lean operations team. Sourcing is automated across job boards and talent pools. Screening uses structured assessments. Permit filing happens in-platform (no solicitor). Visa tracking, document management and onboarding are all in one dashboard. The fee model is bundled: EUR 2,500-4,000 per hire, all-in.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Where Agencies Win
Use an Agency When
You need a single highly specialised senior hire where the agency has a uniquely deep network
You want zero internal involvement -- full handoff of the entire process
You value a long-term account relationship over unit cost
Where Platforms Win
Use a Platform When
You are hiring 3-50 international roles per year
Cost per hire matters -- platforms are typically 40-60% cheaper on like-for-like scope
You want visibility on every candidate, every document and every permit status in real time
You want permit filing done under one roof rather than via a solicitor chain
Your hiring volume varies and you do not want minimum commitments
The Control and Transparency Question
The most overlooked difference is control. Agencies succeed by being indispensable -- you see only the final shortlist, the negotiated price, the presented timeline. Platforms succeed by being transparent -- every candidate is visible, every document is in one place, every permit status is live. For employers who value direct decision-making, the platform model is structurally preferable.
The Permit Compliance Dimension
The Hidden Cost of the Agency + Solicitor Model
Solicitor fees of EUR 1,500-3,000 per application are typically not included in the agency recruitment fee
Coordination overhead between recruiter, agency PM, solicitor and employer creates handoff errors
Salary mismatches between the offer, the LMNT ad and the EPOS form are caught late
Platforms that handle sourcing-to-permit in one system catch errors before submission
Cost Example: 5 Construction Workers
How Recruitroo Compares
Recruitroo is a direct recruitment platform built for international hiring into Ireland and the UK. We handle sourcing, screening, permit processing, visa coordination and relocation end-to-end. Our clients typically see 40-60% lower total cost per hire compared to the agency + solicitor route, with full real-time dashboard visibility and near-100% permit approval rates.
Comparing options for international recruitment?
Let us build a side-by-side comparison on your actual roles -- cost, timeline, compliance and transparency, line by line.
Disclaimer: This comparison reflects market positions in 2026. Individual agencies and platforms vary.