IMPORTANT: 2027 Seasonal Employment Permit (SEP) Scheme

The Employment Permits (Amendment) (Seasonal Employment) Regulations 2025 came into operation in February 2025, activating the new Seasonal Employment Permit (SEP). Organisations operating in the seasonal harvesting sector must secure "Approved Seasonal Employer" (ASE) status to utilise this scheme. The Department of Enterprise Tourism and Employment have outlined the following requirements for the 2027 SEP scheme which should be noted by employers.

Key Deadlines for the 2027 Season

To employ short-term workers for the 2027 picking season, employers must be aware of the following timelines:

• 12 December 2026: Deadline to submit completed ASE application form. Applications must be emailed directly to empu@enterprise.gov.ie.
• 1 January 2027: Applications for the actual Seasonal Employment Permits (SEPs) will officially open for the successfully approved ASEs.

Before an organisation can sponsor any foreign national for a SEP, your business must be approved by the State. The requirements for this status are strictly capped:

• A maximum of only six employers in the State will be granted ASE status for the 2027 season with a cap of 300 SEPs issued nationwide.
• An ASE must commit to employing at least two SEP workers during their approval period.
• To access the employment permits system, at least 50% of your organization’s total workforce must be sourced from Irish, EEA, UK, or Swiss nationals.

SEP Regulation Requirements 2027

Please see the following requirements:

• Employers must conduct a Labour Market Needs Test before applying for permits. Failure to publish and conduct this correctly will result in a refused application and a restarted process.
• Employers are required to make arrangements to provide appropriate accommodation and health insurance for all SEP holders.
• Provide an overview of recruitment supply chain and exclusively recruit nationals from established partner countries.

• The minimum annual remuneration is now €32,691 pro rata. Employers may include the costs you incur for the employee's health insurance and accommodation toward this total, provided it complies with National Minimum Wage legislation.
• The employment season runs from April to November. The permit itself will be valid for 3 to 7 months per year.
• SEP holders must leave the State for at least 5 months at the end of their contract to remain eligible to return on a new SEP the following year.

Please see more information here