DETE publishes roadmap for increase in Minimum Annual Remuneration for employment permits

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) has published a roadmap which outlines a gradual approach to increasing minimum salary thresholds for employment permits.

• The minimum salary for General Employment Permit holders will increase from €34,000 to 36,305
• The minimum salary for Critical Skills Employment Permits will increase from €38,000 to €40,904
• For meat processors, horticultural workers, healthcare assistants, and home carers, the minimum salary will increase from €30,000 to €32,691

New minimum salaries will be introduced for graduates who have completed their third level degree within the last 12 months.

• For graduates applying for a General Employment Permit, the minimum salary will be €34,009.
• For graduates applying for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, the minimum salary will be €36,848

The MAR threshold for a role is applied at the point of application, either for a new permit or the renewal of an existing one. The increased MAR thresholds will come into effect from 1 March 2026.

Minimum salary thresholds will be increased gradually through to 2030.

Further information on the salary roadmap can be found here.