Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment released an updated Roadmap for Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) on 8 December 2025, setting out phased salary-threshold increases for all employment-permit categories. The first hike takes effect on 1 March 2026, when the General Employment Permit minimum will rise from €34,000 to €36,605 and the Critical Skills Employment Permit floor from €38,000 to €40,904. Sector-specific rates for agri-food and healthcare will also climb.
Unlike the 2023 plan—which envisaged full alignment with average earnings by 2026—the new roadmap stretches implementation to 2030 after a public consultation revealed cost-pressure concerns from SMEs and agri-food employers. Indexation to Central Statistics Office wage data will ensure the thresholds continue to track inflation.
![Government Publishes Roadmap to Raise Employment-Permit Salary Thresholds Through 2030]()
For multinational HR teams, the roadmap offers predictability for budgeting and long-term assignment planning. Companies should audit existing permit holders whose salaries hover near current minima to ensure future renewals remain compliant. Recent graduates on two-year permits will benefit from a temporary lower entry threshold but must meet higher rates upon renewal.
The government argues that higher pay floors will protect migrant workers from exploitation while maintaining Ireland’s attractiveness for global talent. Trade-union representatives welcomed the move but urged more aggressive enforcement of the Employment Permits Act 2024 to penalise underpayment.
The roadmap will be reviewed biennially, and DETE has committed to publishing conversion tables showing hourly equivalents to aid payroll teams.
Unlike the 2023 plan—which envisaged full alignment with average earnings by 2026—the new roadmap stretches implementation to 2030 after a public consultation revealed cost-pressure concerns from SMEs and agri-food employers. Indexation to Central Statistics Office wage data will ensure the thresholds continue to track inflation.
For multinational HR teams, the roadmap offers predictability for budgeting and long-term assignment planning. Companies should audit existing permit holders whose salaries hover near current minima to ensure future renewals remain compliant. Recent graduates on two-year permits will benefit from a temporary lower entry threshold but must meet higher rates upon renewal.
The government argues that higher pay floors will protect migrant workers from exploitation while maintaining Ireland’s attractiveness for global talent. Trade-union representatives welcomed the move but urged more aggressive enforcement of the Employment Permits Act 2024 to penalise underpayment.
The roadmap will be reviewed biennially, and DETE has committed to publishing conversion tables showing hourly equivalents to aid payroll teams.
