Work in Ireland

With an unemployment rate of under 5% and future Government plans for a universal living wage, Ireland is an ideal country to seek employment

English is widely spoken in Ireland, and the people on the Emerald Isle are friendly and welcoming. The country boasts one of the highest standards of living in Europe. Thanks to its well-connected geographical location and low corporation tax rates, many multinational companies have their European headquarters in Ireland, providing numerous job opportunities.

Ireland is famous for its history and folklore. Working in the country, you'll be able to enjoy the lush green landscapes and vibrant cities, and perhaps indulge in a Guinness or two.

Jobs in Ireland

The job market is mostly dominated by the service sector. There are opportunities in several major industries including the thriving technology sector, where there is high demand for IT workers. Additionally, due to Ireland's increasing popularity as a holiday destination, the hospitality and tourism industry requires both skilled and casual workers.

The country is also home to several multinational companies, including:

• Apple
• Facebook (Meta)
• Google
• Microsoft
• Ryanair

Competition for skilled jobs is fierce and your chances of securing work will increase with relevant work experience and third-level qualifications. In general, work will be easier to come by in major towns and cities such as Cork, Dublin and Galway. While the capital city of Dublin is known to be relatively expensive, the cost of living is still much cheaper than other major European cities - such as Copenhagen, London, Paris and Zurich.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Irish Jobs
• Jobs.ie
• Monster.ie
• RecruitIreland.com

Skill shortages

The Irish economy has skills shortages in several areas including:

• Business and finance - accountants, business intelligence analysts, financial advisers, risk and compliance professionals
• Healthcare - nursing and healthcare lecturers.
• Languages - fluency in a second language for roles in law, marketing, accountancy, education and publishing.
• IT - app developers, data analysts, software developers, IT support specialists, programmers.
• Teaching - private school staff and university educators.
• Creative design - advertisers, publishers and educators.
• Construction - trades, business developers, city planners and architects.

How to get a job in Ireland

You can begin applying for jobs in Ireland before you arrive in the country. While it's not necessary to have a job lined up before you get there, starting your job search from your home country can give you a head start.

The application and interview processes are similar to those in the UK. You can search for job openings online, in newspapers, or through your professional networks, and then apply with your CV and cover letter or through an online application form.

If your application is successful, you might be asked to attend a formal interview, which could involve multiple stages such as a phone interview followed by an in-person meeting.

For some jobs, you may also need to participate in an assessment day. Your CV should be one to two pages long, and it's a good idea to mention your level of English proficiency if it's not your first language, as well as any other languages you speak.

Summer jobs

During the busy summer tourism season, finding temporary, seasonal, and casual jobs should not be difficult, especially in the larger towns and cities.

Temporary jobs can range from cleaning and promotions to teaching and working in the hospitality industry. You can find summer and seasonal work in Ireland at jobs.ie - Summer Jobs.

Volunteering is another great way to enhance your CV and demonstrate to potential employers that you are committed to learning and improving your skills. Volunteer Ireland, the country's national volunteering organisation, supports individuals who want to volunteer across the country. It's important to thoroughly research all volunteering opportunities and carefully review the terms and conditions before committing to a programme.

Teaching jobs

Ireland is a popular destination for those who want to learn English. Typical employers include commercial language schools, public and private schools, and institutions of higher education.

The majority of English as a foreign language (EFL) schools are privately run and are located in or around Dublin, but work can also be found in smaller towns and cities such as Cork and Galway.

The Accreditation and Coordination of English Language Services (ACELS) is the national body responsible for the development and management of English language teaching organisations in the country. To search for schools, visit ACELS - Schools.

To become an English Language Teacher (ELT) in Ireland, ACELS requires you to have a Bachelors degree and a recognised ELT qualification. These qualifications include:

• CELT
• CELTA
• Trinity ESOL

Online ELT and i-to-i ELT qualifications are not recognised in Ireland.

To search for ELT jobs in the country see ELT Ireland Jobs Board.

Internships

In Ireland's competitive job market, having relevant work experience increases your chances of securing a job. Depending on your industry, you can reach out to firms directly to inquire about available work experience opportunities. Additionally, numerous services offer assistance in finding work experience placements including:

• Careersportal.ie
• Equipeople - Irish Agricultural Work Experience
• Gradireland
• Intern Group
• InternshipsIreland

Internships and summer work placements for students can also be arranged by:

• AIESEC UK - for students and recent graduates
• IAESTE UK - for science, engineering and applied arts students.

Irish visas

Citizens of the UK and EU do not require a visa to enter Ireland. However, non-EU or international citizens may need a visa to work in Ireland, which can be applied for online through the Irish Nationalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).

UK, EU, European Economic Area (EEA), and Swiss nationals have the right to work in Ireland without needing an employment permit, and they are treated the same as Irish citizens when applying for a job.

If you are from a country outside the EU, you will need an employment permit to work in Ireland prior to your arrival in the country. However, in some cases, if you are coming to live with family, you may not need one. There are different types of permits, including a general permit and a critical skills permit.

For more information on work visas and employment permits, you can visit Citizens Information - Coming to work in Ireland.

Language requirements

English and Irish (also known as Gaelic or Gaeilge) are the two official languages of Ireland, although English is the first language of the majority of the country.

Even though Irish is not spoken on a daily basis, it is an important part of the country's heritage and identity.

Good English skills will be sufficient for most jobs, although some knowledge of Irish might be helpful.

If you are coming to work in Ireland and English is not your first language, you may have to demonstrate your level of English proficiency when applying for jobs.

How to explain your qualifications to employers

Irish higher education qualifications are directly comparable to those in the UK. Therefore, if you have a UK Bachelors, Masters, or PhD and you're planning to work in Ireland, these qualifications will generally be recognised and accepted by Irish employers. However, if you're unsure, it's best to check with potential employers before applying.

To find out more about the recognition of qualifications see ENIC-NARIC.

What it's like to work in Ireland

Your standard working week should not exceed 48 hours. As an employee, you are entitled to sick leave, public holidays, maternity leave, parental leave, and four weeks of paid holiday per year.

As of January 2024, the national minimum wage for an experienced adult aged 20 and above is €12.70 (£10.54) per hour. In addition, the government plans to introduce a living wage set at 60% of the median wage by 2026.

There are nine public holidays in Ireland, these include:

• New Year's Day (1 January)
• St Patrick's Day (17 March)
• Easter Monday
• The first Monday in May, June and August
• Last Monday in October
• Christmas Day (25 December)
• St Stephen's Day (26 December).

Your income is subject to income tax, which your employer will deduct from your wages based on your earnings. The first portion of your income up to a specific amount is taxed at a standard rate of 20%. This threshold is adjusted for married couples and even more so for couples with two incomes.

To find out more about tax in Ireland visit Citizens Information - How your income tax is calculated.

Find out more

• Discover what it's like to study in Ireland.