The Irish Government has introduced a new Roadmap for Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) salary thresholds for employment permits, designed to strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness while supporting businesses and migrant workers. Announced on 2 December 2025 by the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Minister of State for Employment, this phased approach will begin in March 2026 and continue through to 2030.
What Is the MAR Roadmap?
The MAR Roadmap outlines gradual increases in the minimum salary required for employment permits in Ireland, including General Employment Permits (GEP) and Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEP). The policy aims to ensure that salary thresholds keep pace with economic conditions, protect workers’ rights, and balance the needs of employers in a challenging global environment.
Key Salary Threshold Changes from March 2026
From 1 March 2026, the minimum annual salary required for new employment permit applications will increase as follows:
- General Employment Permit (GEP): increases from €34,000 to €36,605
- Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP): increases from €38,000 to €40,904
- For specific sectors such as meat processing, horticulture, healthcare assistants, and home carers, the minimum salary will increase from €30,000 to €32,691
- Lower graduate thresholds will continue to apply for recent graduates in recognition of early-career salary levels
These changes reflect an increase of approximately 7.66 per cent, the minimum required under the Employment Permits Act 2024 indexation rules, which link the MAR to average weekly earnings in the Irish labour market.
Why the Roadmap Matters
The phased increases are part of a wider review of the MAR thresholds originally set in 2023. The Government took into account extensive consultation feedback from employers, permit holders, representative bodies, and trade unions, with more than 150 formal submissions informing the final approach. This consultation recognised the need to balance economic competitiveness with fair remuneration for non-EEA workers.
Rather than implementing large salary increases abruptly, the phased approach allows time for employers and sectors to adapt. Further increments are expected between 2027 and 2030, ultimately realigning employment permit salaries with changes in average earnings.
What This Means for Employers and Migrant Workers
The increase in minimum salary thresholds will have practical implications for employers recruiting internationally and for non-EEA workers planning to work in Ireland:
- Employers must update job offers, contracts, and recruitment budgets to meet the new thresholds for applications submitted from March 2026 onward.
Migrant workers applying under both General Employment Permits and Critical Skills Employment Permits must ensure their prospective salary meets the updated minimum to avoid refusals due to non-compliance with MAR requirements. - Lower salary thresholds remain in place for recent graduates who qualify under specific graduate provisions, recognising early-career pay structures.
The introduction of the MAR Roadmap highlights Ireland’s commitment to maintaining a balanced and sustainable employment permit system that supports both economic migration and domestic workforce considerations.
How Visawebs Can Help
At Visawebs, we closely monitor policy changes like the MAR Roadmap to help our clients navigate Ireland’s evolving immigration landscape with confidence. Whether you are an individual looking to apply for an employment permit or an employer seeking to recruit international talent, we provide expert guidance on eligibility, documentation, and compliance with updated salary and permit criteria.
Our services include:
- Employment permit eligibility assessment and planning
- Application preparation and submission for General and Critical Skills Permits
- Guidance on graduate routes and salary threshold requirements
- Support with renewals and post-approval compliance
If you or your organisation are preparing for applications under the 2026 salary thresholds, contact Visawebs for tailored support and professional assistance throughout the process.
