From 1 March 2026, updated salary thresholds apply across all Employment Permits in Ireland. Here’s a quick breakdown of what has changed.
What Are the New Thresholds?
General Employment Permit (GEP) The minimum salary increases from €34,000 to €36,605.
Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) The minimum salary increases from €38,000 to €40,904.
Meat Processors, Horticultural Workers, Healthcare Assistants & Home Carers The minimum salary increases from €30,000 to €32,691.
Recent Graduates – Lower starting thresholds apply for recent graduates, recognising that they are at an early stage of their careers.
What About the Reactivation Employment Permit?
For the Reactivation Employment Permit, the minimum pay requirement is the National Minimum Wage or higher which is €14.15 per hour as of 2026.
For full details, visit the official DETE page: Reactivation Employment Permit
Why Does This Matter?
These changes affect anyone currently holding or applying for an Employment Permit in Ireland. If your salary falls below the new threshold, your employer may need to update your contract before your permit renewal is processed.
If you are unsure how these changes affect you, MRCI’s Information and Support Centre is here to help. Contact MRCI here – www.mrci.ie/contact-us
Roadmap for Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) Salary Thresholds
| Date | Jan 2024 | Jan 2025 | 2026 | Jan 2027 |
| GEP & ICT Trainees | €34,000 | €34,000 | €36,605 | TBD |
| HCAs, Home Carers and Care Workers | €27,000 | €30,000 | €32,691 89.3% of GEP | 92.5% of GEP |
| Meat and Horticultural Operatives | €30,000 | €30,000 | €32,691 89.3% of GEP | 92.5% of GEP |
| GEP Irish Graduate | N/A | N/A | €34,009 | Index Only |
| CSEP W/ Relevant Degree | €38,000 | €38,000 | €40,904* | TBD* |
| CSEP W/O Relevant Degree | €64,000 | €64,000 | €68,911 | TBD |
| Critical Skills Graduate | N/A | N/A | €36,848 | Index Only |
| Intra-Company Transfer and Contract for Services | €46,000 | €46,000 | €49,523 | TBD |
* Indicates provisional figures subject to confirmation.
For more details about this information, visit the https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/news-and-events/department-news/2025/december/20251202.html
Information sourced from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) Ireland. Last updated March 2026.
