Move to Ireland in 2027: Work Permits, Salary Minimums, and Who Is Hiring

Byahmedali
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Ireland gave out 33,362 work permits in 2026. The real numbers are close, but the post leaves something out. The year is not over yet, so that figure cannot be a full-year total.

Here is what the data shows, who is hiring, and how to plan a move to Ireland in 2027.

What the Permit Numbers Really Say

Ireland’s Department of Enterprise publishes permit data every month. From January to September 2026, it issued 29,989 employment permits. That is 32.6% more than the same nine months of 2025.

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The monthly average is about 3,330 permits. Add one more month and you land near 33,300. So the viral number most likely covers January to October. We could not confirm that exact figure, so treat it as “so far this year.”

Two things to keep in mind:

  • The count is permits issued, not people who moved.
  • Most people who applied did get one. In 2025, the approval rate was about 90%.

Who Is Hiring

Through September 2026, these employers had the most permits:

  • Dawn Meats Ireland: 293
  • Google Ireland: 254
  • Rosderra Irish Meats Group: 238
  • Redwood Extended Care Facility: 226
  • Costern: 224

The list shows where the demand is. Meat processing, healthcare, and tech lead. Health and social work is the biggest sector overall. In 2025, most permits went to workers from India, the Philippines, and Brazil.

The Two Work Permits

If you are from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, you need an employment permit tied to a job. Ireland does not offer an EU Blue Card. It has two main permits instead.

Critical Skills Employment Permit

This is the faster route. It has no labour market test. The salary minimums rose on March 1, 2026:

  • €40,904 for a listed role with a relevant degree
  • €36,848 for a recent graduate
  • €68,911 for any eligible role

General Employment Permit

This one covers a wider list of jobs. The minimum salary is €36,605 a year, up from €34,000.

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A lower floor applies to some jobs. It is €32,691 a year, or at least €16.12 an hour. It covers roles like health care assistants, home support workers, horticulture workers, and meat processors.

The General permit has more hurdles:

  • The employer must advertise the job for 28 days on JobsIreland, EURES, and one more platform.
  • At least half of the employer’s staff must be from the EEA, with exceptions for start-ups and sole employees.
  • You apply at least 12 weeks before your start date. Either the employer or you can file.
  • You can generally change employer only after 9 months.

Which Jobs Are Open

In May 2026, the government changed 32 rules on which jobs can get permits. The changes target shortages in construction, healthcare, transport, and agri-food. Some jobs now qualify without a quota. Others have new quotas.

Quotas fill up. As of September, the meat processing quota was almost full. A job being on the list does not mean a permit is open for you.

The government also recommended a second seasonal permit pilot ahead of the 2027 season. Check for news on it before spring.

Your Step-by-Step Plan

  1. Check the official occupation lists to see if your job qualifies and which permit it uses.
  2. Look up the salary minimum for that permit. Your offer must meet it.
  3. Search for jobs on JobsIreland, EURES, and company career pages.
  4. Apply with a CV written for each job.
  5. Ask each employer in writing which permit it plans to use, and who files the application.
  6. After the permit, check whether your nationality also needs an entry visa.

Start this at least four months before you want to move. The permit alone can take weeks, and the job search takes longer.

Official Links

Use these to check the rules and search for jobs. Confirm salary minimums on the official pages before you apply, since they can change.

Avoid Permit Scams

No one can promise you a permit. Even with a job offer, the decision belongs to the government.

Walk away if someone:

  • Guarantees a job or permit for a fee
  • Asks for money before you have a real offer
  • Will not name the employer

Check each employer by name, and confirm the job through the company’s own website.

Quick Answers

Do I need a job offer first? Yes. Both permits are tied to a specific job and employer.

Can I apply for the permit myself? Either the employer or the employee can apply online. Many people ask the employer to handle it.

Do the salary minimums change? Yes. They rose in March 2026 and may rise again. Check the official amount before you accept an offer.

Is Google the only big sponsor? No. Meat processors and healthcare employers sit near the top of the list.

Pick one permit that fits your job today. Then search for three employers on the list above and read their open roles.

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