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For occupations on Ireland's Critical Skills list (typically tech, healthcare, engineering) paying at least EUR 38,000/year, or any role paying EUR 64,000+. Allows the permit holder to apply for long-term residency after 2 years without needing a job change permit.
Employer-sponsored; employer must complete a labor market needs test (advertise vacancy for 4 weeks) first. Minimum salary of EUR 34,000/year applies; most occupations qualify except those on the Ineligible List.
For non-EU graduates of Irish third-level institutions; allows 12 months (24 months for Level 9/10 graduates) to seek employment or start a business without needing a separate work permit.
Granted after 5 years of lawful residence (or 2 years on a Critical Skills permit). Permits unrestricted access to the labor market including self-employment, without needing a separate work permit.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens have the right to live and work freely. Register with local authorities within 3 months of arrival.
Ireland is an EU member state but is not part of the Schengen Area, operating its own Common Travel Area (CTA) with the United Kingdom. EU/EEA citizens can enter and reside freely without a visa, while non-EU nationals from many countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Longer stays require an Irish entry visa (for nationals of visa-required countries) and a residence permission stamp registered with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
EU/EEA citizens do not require a work permit in Ireland. Non-EEA nationals must obtain a work permit before arriving, with the Critical Skills Employment Permit being the most sought-after option for qualified professionals earning above EUR 32,000. The General Employment Permit covers a wider range of roles, while the Intra-Company Transfer Permit applies to employees relocating within multinational organizations.
Holders of Critical Skills Employment Permits can apply for their spouse or partner and minor children to join them in Ireland immediately under the Join Family permission. General Employment Permit holders must wait 12 months before sponsoring family dependents. Dependent spouses of Critical Skills permit holders are eligible to work without obtaining a separate permit.
Ireland levies personal income tax at 20% on income up to EUR 42,000 and 40% on income above that threshold, plus Universal Social Charge (USC) and PRSI contributions. Corporate tax stands at 12.5% on trading income, one of the lowest in the EU and a major draw for multinational companies. VAT is 23%, and Ireland has an extensive network of over 70 double taxation treaties.
Ireland operates a tiered public healthcare system; residents paying taxes are eligible for public services, but waiting times can be lengthy. Most expatriates and working professionals opt for private health insurance through providers like Laya, VHI, or Irish Life Health to access faster specialist care and private hospitals. Private health insurance premiums are tax-deductible at 20%.
Ireland's main retail banks are AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB; Ulster Bank and KBC exited the Irish market in 2023. Opening a bank account requires proof of identity, address, and PPS number (tax identification). Fintech alternatives like N26, Revolut, and Bunq are widely used by expatriates while awaiting traditional account approval, which can take several weeks.
Ireland's Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) offers residence for investments of EUR 1 million in an approved enterprise, EUR 1 million in an approved investment fund, EUR 500,000 in a philanthropic project, or EUR 2 million in a real estate investment trust (REIT). The program was closed to new applications in February 2023 as the government reviewed its structure. Ireland also offers a Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) for founders of innovative businesses with EUR 50,000 in funding.
| Program | Min. Investment | Residency | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) | — | No | No |
| Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) | — | No | No |