Work Permit Salary Thresholds 1 March 2026
Work Permit Salary Thresholds 1 March 2026
From 1 March 2026 new Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) salary thresholds will increase. The changes hope to strike a better balance between worker rights and business sustainability in line with the Employment Permits Act 2024.
Key Changes
The following table illustrates the main changes to MAR salary thresholds for employment permits from 1 March 2026.
|
Name of employment permit |
2025 Threshold |
Threshold from 1 March 2026 |
|
General Employment Permit (GEP) |
€34,000 |
€36,605 |
|
Graduate GEP |
N/A |
€34,009 |
|
HCAs, Home Carers and Care Workers |
€30,000 |
€32,691 |
|
Meat and Horticultural Operatives |
€30,000 |
€32,691 |
|
Critical Skills (CSEP) with a relevant degree |
€38,000 |
€40,904 |
|
Critical Skills (CESP) without a relevant degree |
€64,000 |
€68,911 |
|
Intra-Company Transfer and Contract for Services |
€46,000 |
€49,523 |
Takeways
-
Audit Renewals: Conduct an audit of upcoming permit renewals and make the necessary salary adjustments where employees are to be retained. For example: If an employee with a GEP was hired in 2024 with a salary of €34,000 and their permit expires in May 2026, their salary will need to be increased to at least €36,605 for the renewal to be granted.
-
Recruitment: For GEPs, the Labour Market Needs Test must reflect the increases in MAR. For example: If an employer is advertising a role for a start date after March 1, the advertised salary must be over €36,605.
-
Hourly Rate Equivalent: The MAR is based on a standard 39- hour work week. If your employees work different hours, the hourly rate must be adjusted accordingly.
Transforming workplace challenges into opportunities takes more than good intentions - it requires tailored insight and practical support.
Whether you want a quick second opinion or a deeper discussion about your organisation's needs, our team is here to help. Call us on 01 8774608 or email [email protected].
We're looking forward to supporting your next step.
