The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has softened—but not shelved—planned salary hikes for non-EEA work-permit holders, publishing a revised ‘Roadmap for Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR)’ on 4 December.
Under the update, the minimum salary for General Employment Permits will climb from €34,000 to €36,605 on 1 March 2026, while Critical Skills Employment Permits will rise to €40,904. Lower-paid sectors such as horticulture, meat processing and healthcare assistants will see thresholds move to €32,691. The original 2023 roadmap would have pushed some categories above €40,000 as early as next summer.
![Government confirms revised salary-threshold roadmap for Irish employment permits]()
Officials said feedback from 150 public-consultation submissions highlighted fears that steep jumps could force permit-holders out of compliance and trigger talent losses for SMEs. Instead, increases will now be phased until 2030, with indexation linked to CSO wage data.
For employers, the breathing space is welcome but temporary. Mobility managers should audit current salaries against the March 2026 figures and budget for annual uplifts thereafter. Graduates of Irish universities will benefit from lower ‘early-career’ thresholds, potentially expanding the talent pool for tech and life-science firms.
Under the update, the minimum salary for General Employment Permits will climb from €34,000 to €36,605 on 1 March 2026, while Critical Skills Employment Permits will rise to €40,904. Lower-paid sectors such as horticulture, meat processing and healthcare assistants will see thresholds move to €32,691. The original 2023 roadmap would have pushed some categories above €40,000 as early as next summer.
Officials said feedback from 150 public-consultation submissions highlighted fears that steep jumps could force permit-holders out of compliance and trigger talent losses for SMEs. Instead, increases will now be phased until 2030, with indexation linked to CSO wage data.
For employers, the breathing space is welcome but temporary. Mobility managers should audit current salaries against the March 2026 figures and budget for annual uplifts thereafter. Graduates of Irish universities will benefit from lower ‘early-career’ thresholds, potentially expanding the talent pool for tech and life-science firms.
