Minimum annual remuneration: what does it mean for employers?

Late last year, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) announced a roadmap of extensive changes to the employment permits system. The first changes came in on 1 March 2026. Minimum salaries rose for:

• General Employment Permits from €34,000 to €36,605

• Critical Skills Employment Permits from €38,000 to €40,904

• Meat processors, horticultural workers, healthcare assistants, and home carers from €30,000 to €32,691

There are lower thresholds for recent graduates. These will support entry-level hiring and encourage retention and attraction for skilled early-careers workers.

This is the first change to minimum annual remuneration (MAR). But it won’t be the last. The roadmap outlines a gradual approach to increasing salary thresholds across all employment permit types. It also removes very low thresholds on a phased basis.

This gradual implementation should strike a balance between workers rights and business sustainability. Here’s what you should do as an employer:

• Check employment contracts reflect the updated salaries

• Review budgets, especially post-March 2026, but also up to 2030

• Audit current employment permit holders’ salaries to make sure they pass the new thresholds

• Check Labour Market Needs Test adverts reflect the new MAR thresholds

• Check graduate hiring plans

If you’re a healthcare provider, consider MAR alongside your Fair Deal Scheme and Nursing Home Support Scheme.

These changes will affect many workers. Over 31,000 employment permits were issued in Ireland last year, and over 38,000 in 2024.

You can read more about the roadmap in the Department’s review.

Up-to-date contracts of employment are available on the BrightBase library of expert-written policies, templates, and guides. For more information about employment law compliance, speak to one of our advisors on 1800 279 841.