The Irish Department of Justice has published a revised Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy that dramatically raises the income test Irish residents must meet before they can sponsor spouses, partners or children from outside the European Economic Area. Effective immediately, sponsors must earn at least the national median gross salary—currently €44,300—up from a flat €30,000 benchmark set in 2016. Households with more dependants face an even steeper bar: for example, a parent with three children will have to show net earnings of €47,164, roughly €64,200 gross. Applicants must also prove that they have “suitable” accommodation available before a visa will be issued.
Officials argue the higher threshold protects public finances and encourages economic self-sufficiency among new arrivals. Business lobby group Ibec broadly supports the change, but warns that middle-income talent in ICT and financial services—where compensation often includes variable bonuses—could be deterred. Employers that relocate non-EEA managers to Ireland may need to adjust allowances or re-classify bonuses as reckonable income to help staff satisfy the new rules.
![Ireland Raises Family-Reunification Salary Threshold to €44,300]()
For multinational mobility teams, the practical impact is two-fold. First, assignment budgets will rise if companies have to ‘top-up’ salaries so that employees can bring their families. Second, lead-times will lengthen because proof-of-housing documents (such as tenancy agreements) must now accompany the application. Relocation providers anticipate higher demand for family-sized rental properties, particularly in Dublin where supply is tight.
Application fees for family-reunification visas are expected to be introduced in 2026 and all applications must be lodged while dependants are still overseas. The Department of Justice will review the earnings threshold every year, indexing it to Central Statistics Office data—meaning further increases are likely if wage inflation continues.
Mobility managers are advised to update cost projections immediately and brief employees that previously prepared documentation or salary letters below €44,300 will no longer be accepted.
Officials argue the higher threshold protects public finances and encourages economic self-sufficiency among new arrivals. Business lobby group Ibec broadly supports the change, but warns that middle-income talent in ICT and financial services—where compensation often includes variable bonuses—could be deterred. Employers that relocate non-EEA managers to Ireland may need to adjust allowances or re-classify bonuses as reckonable income to help staff satisfy the new rules.
For multinational mobility teams, the practical impact is two-fold. First, assignment budgets will rise if companies have to ‘top-up’ salaries so that employees can bring their families. Second, lead-times will lengthen because proof-of-housing documents (such as tenancy agreements) must now accompany the application. Relocation providers anticipate higher demand for family-sized rental properties, particularly in Dublin where supply is tight.
Application fees for family-reunification visas are expected to be introduced in 2026 and all applications must be lodged while dependants are still overseas. The Department of Justice will review the earnings threshold every year, indexing it to Central Statistics Office data—meaning further increases are likely if wage inflation continues.
Mobility managers are advised to update cost projections immediately and brief employees that previously prepared documentation or salary letters below €44,300 will no longer be accepted.
