Work in Ireland | Learn how and fly to the Emerald Isle

by

The land of Saint Patrick is one of the most attractive destinations to learn English, study and work. That is why working in Ireland is possible if you are looking for adventure and ensuring your future. Do you want to know how?

Here you will find what you need to know to work in Ireland. What are the requirements to work as a foreigner, how much are the salaries and, as an icing on the cake, the best tips for looking for employment on Irish soil.

The Emerald Isle is a place of magic but also of opportunities. Find out what you need with this complete guide and go packing!

How to work in Ireland

As a member of the European Union, Ireland’s economy is strong. Since the 1980s, it has been in constant growth, with an unemployment rate of 7.8% on average. This means more and better job opportunities abroad, with excellent working conditions.

You are probably already thinking about how to enter the Irish job market. So to give you the first steps, below we explain what to do to work in Ireland as a foreigner.

1. Define your goal when traveling and working in Ireland

The first thing to decide is what the purpose of your trip will be. Traveling to Ireland and studying English is not the same as traveling to find better job opportunities abroad.

In this sense, traveling to meet new people is not the same as working full time and pursuing your professional career in Ireland. For these reasons, it is essential that you decide what to do on your trip.

Once this is decided, you will be able to meet the necessary requirements to apply for a work visa in Ireland. And if you decide to only study in Ireland, then apply for your student visa. You can also choose to study and work in Dublin, Cork, Galway or any of Ireland’s amazing cities at the same time✨.

2. Choose the best city in Ireland

The Irish culture has a long history and sóilda. This makes it as marked as it is varied. The various cities of Ireland offer unique experiences to locals and visitors. With this in mind, it is essential that you review and decide which of them you would like to live in.

Among them, you can live in:

  • Dublin
  • Cork
  • Galway

3. Check what documents you need to live and work in Ireland

One of the main reasons why Spaniards choose to emigrate to Ireland is that they do not require additional documentation to work beyond their ID or Passport. The case is not the same for young Latin Americans, who will have to apply for study or work visas as the case may be.

In addition to the work visa in Ireland, you need to take care of other procedures such as opening a bank account or registering for social security. Don’t worry, later in this article we will review all the requirements to work in Ireland legally.

4. Travel to Ireland

The awaited moment has arrived. The crucial step in this adventure is when you board the plane that will take you to live one of the best experiences of your life.

However, before moving you need to get all your affairs in order at home. It is also crucial to buy air tickets in advance to find the best flight prices.

You should also book a few nights in a hostel to have a place to stay in Ireland for the first few days after your arrival. Once you are in the country, you will be able to manage your job search in Viking lands and your permanent accommodation.

5. Make an Irish resume

A successful CV is one that adapts to the job vacancy you want to apply for and the country. So, don’t make the mistake of submitting the same CV format for every job you see to work in Ireland.

For this reason, you must analyze each opportunity in detail and adjust your profile to that offer. This will surely increase your chances of getting the job you want!

Take note: recruiters for work in Ireland like simple CVs, preferably one page long. You can follow these tips:

  • Next to your name you can put a title like “Marketing expert” or “Engineering student looking for new professional challenges.”
  • It is not necessary to include a photograph.
  • It is also not necessary to enter your date of birth.
  • Highlight your most relevant professional experiences.
  • Include your LinkedIn profile.

6. Write a Cover Letter

Writing cover letters is a common practice for working in Ireland. A cover letter is a one-page document, where you explain who you are, why you are interested in the position, and why you are the ideal candidate.

Remember to write your CV in English and also in Spanish. The file you send will depend on whether you are looking to work in Ireland without speaking English, or to work in Ireland as a bilingual professional. Also, pay close attention to these points:

  • Grammar and spelling
  • Express your enthusiasm for working in Ireland
  • Creativity and emotion

If you ask us how the Irish are, then passionate and poetic, so they will value your creativity on this last point.

7. Perfect your English to work in Ireland

Although you can work in Ireland without speaking English, doing so will open the doors to better job offers. You should prepare for possible job interviews in English. Rehearse answers to the typical questions and take advantage of your stay abroad to improve your English.

Even so, you should know that even if you don’t speak English you can find a job in Ireland. For example, in Hispanic call centers, in departments for the Spanish market of large companies or in businesses in Hispanic communities.

But since you are there, why not encourage yourself to learn a new language ? You can do it naturally on a day-to-day basis or you can enroll in some English courses in Ireland that allow you to work while you study. Isn’t it cool?

Requirements to work in Ireland

Well, now you know how to take your first steps to work in Ireland. But now comes the more technical and bureaucratic part of the process: meeting the requirements and qualifying to work in Ireland.

Procedures are not your thing? Do not worry! We take the opportunity to tell you that at GrowPro we take care of that, so that your experience of living in Ireland is mainly to enjoy.

Returning to the above, the requirements to work in Ireland are not many or very complicated. It’s just a matter of knowing where to start. The documentation that must be processed and requested is:

  • Visa that allows you to work in Ireland: There are several types of visa for Ireland that allow you to study and work legally.
  • IRP (Irish Resident Permit) certificate: Before it was the GNIB card. It allows you to reside and renew your visa.
  • PPS (Personal Public Service): Code with which you can work and access public services in Ireland.

But do not despair if the explanation of these requirements to work in Ireland is too small for you. Because we explain them in more detail below. So don’t stop reading!

Visas to study and work in Ireland

The visa is the most important document on this list of requirements to work in Ireland. However, you should know that this is necessary only if your country does not belong to the EU. Check if you need a visa by clicking on the link.

Otherwise, if you are a citizen of a member country of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Union, you will not need this permit, as it will be enough to present your ID or Passport.

First of all, you should know that there are 9 categories of Irish work visa. Below we will explain 3 of the most used by young foreigners who come to work in Ireland.

Study and work visa (Stamp 2)

This is the quintessential student work visa. Aimed at those students who travel to study English in Ireland and work, a vocational course or any training class for at least 25 weeks, the Visa Stamp 2 has the following characteristics:

  • It allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during the school period and 40 hours per week during holidays.
  • It is valid for 8 months for students.
  • It can be renewed up to 2 more times, having a total validity of 2 years.

The main requirement to apply for this visa is to be enrolled in a program offered by educational institutions approved by the Irish government. Learn about the other requirements below:

  • Letter of acceptance to a study program in Ireland
  • Valid passport
  • Proof of payment for the course
  • International health insurance
  • Have € 3000 in your bank account (or € 7000 as the case may be)
  • Proof of address (rental contract, utility bill)
  • Pay the € 300 fee for the Irish Residence Permit (IRP)

Working Holiday Visa

The Working Holiday Visa is a special visa that allows you to stay in Ireland for one year, studying for 6 months and working the remaining time. Unfortunately, there is no possibility of extension of stay with this visa and there are 200 places per year.

The only countries chosen to apply for this visa are:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • USA

However, if you happen to be Chilean or Argentine, you must meet the following requirements to apply for the Ireland Working Holiday Visa:

  • Have a valid and current Chilean or Argentine passport
  • Be between 18 and 35 years old (18 to 30 for Chile)
  • Do not travel accompanied by dependent family members, unless they have their own visa
  • You also cannot have previously participated in the program
  • You must be clear of a Criminal Record
  • Have € 3000 in the bank account to cover living costs in Ireland
  • Have international health insurance
  • Pay the visa fee

General Employment Permit

The General Employment Permit is a visa aimed at attracting candidates with experience or skills in all areas to work in Ireland. Except those that are described in the Ineligible Lists of Occupations.

This visa is issued with an initial validity of 2 years, renewable up to 3. After 5 years working with this permit, you can apply for a resident visa to stay in the country of San Patricio.

The Irish government has a series of specific requirements to apply for the General Employment Permit. These are:

  • Have a job proposal and provide a complete description of the position
  • Make sure the position you are going to work for is not ineligible
  • Gather the documentation that certifies your skills or experience required for the position. They can be college degrees or certification letters of work experience.
  • The minimum annual salary for the position must be € 30,000. Here are some exceptions:
    • € 27,000 annual salary for non-EU students trained in the last 12 months at an Irish tertiary institution and who received a job proposal in the areas of the Critical Skills Occupation List.
    • € 27,000 annual salary for non-EU students trained in the last 12 months at an Irish tertiary institution and who received a proposal to work in Ireland as an IT professional.
    • Annual salary of € 27,000 for a job that requires a fluent person in an official non-EU language. This job offer must be in the following areas:
      • customer service with relevant product knowledge.
      • digital marketing specialist and sales representative.
      • language technical support.
    • Annual payment of € 27,500 if you work as a butcher.

Critical Skills Employment Permit

The Critical Skills Employment Permit visa is aimed at highly qualified individuals with the aim of encouraging them to establish permanent residence in Ireland.

You see, the Critical Skills Occupation List we talked about earlier details the jobs critically important to Ireland’s economic growth where there is a shortage of workers on the job market. The requirements to apply for this visa are:

  • Have an offer to work in Ireland included in the Critical Skills Occupation List
  • Fill out an application form detailing the job proposal, start date, annual pay, and skills required for the position
  • The job offer must have a minimum annual salary of € 32,000
  • Have the certifications that demonstrate that you have the skills to occupy the position

After choosing the visa for Ireland that best suits your needs, it is time to move on to the following requirements to work in Ireland.

Irish Residence Permit Certificate

The Irish Residence Permit (IRP) certificate, formerly known as the GNIB card, is the document that allows you to emigrate and live in Ireland and serves to renew your visa if you are not a European citizen. To request the IRP you must have the following documentation:

  • Valid passport
  • Student card with the data of your educational center
  • Letter from the school where you inform the start date, the time load and the price of the course
  • Have € 3,000 in your Irish bank account
  • Medical insurance in Ireland that covers a minimum of 30 thousand euros.
  • € 300 to pay the fee.

Personal Public Service (PPS) to work in Ireland

To work in Ireland you will have to get your number Personal Public Service, a reference to 7 numbers followed by 1 to 2 letters that will serve to conduct some business as:

  • Access social welfare services.
  • Dispose of Irish public health services.
  • Get government aid like scholarships.
  • Paying taxes.
  • To be able to present the evidence to obtain a driver’s license in Ireland.

To apply, you will need to go to a Social Service Center with your passport, proof of your residency in Ireland, a valid job offer and an explanation of why you want to get it. Here you can read more about the PPS.

Open a bank account

Although it is not mandatory, opening a bank account will bring you more benefits than inconvenience. Think of it this way, an employer will not want to hire you if they have to write checks or initiate procedures that they normally do not do with the rest of their employees.

By opening a bank account in Ireland, you will facilitate the payment to the company that wants to hire you.

Some of the main banks in Ireland are Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank. To open your account, you have to go to one of their physical offices with your passport, a proof of residence and a support of your current employment.

The process should not take long, but it will open the door to many government procedures, such as registering for Social Security.

Get an Irish phone number

Buying a mobile line in Ireland will make it easier for recruiters to contact you, as you will avoid having to pay commissions for calls to international numbers. With this line, you can also pay less for a call and mobile data plan compared to international roaming.

In addition, by having an Irish phone number, you will show your intention to stay for a long time in the country of the leprechaun.

The top three cell phone companies are Eir Mobile, Three, and Vodafone. However, there are other smaller operators that can offer better prices and quality service.

For example, Tesco Mobile, Virgin or Lycamobile offer data, calls and messages starting at € 10 or € 15 per month.

Wages in Ireland | How much they pay to work in Ireland

If you are thinking of working in Ireland, you will surely be happy to know that the country has one of the highest salaries in Europe. However, remember that your final remuneration will depend on your academic training, your work experience and the conditions of the job.

Although ultimately, with the Irish minimum wage you can live well enough. This happens because there is a balance between Irish salary and cost of living.

Minimum wage in Ireland

By 2021, the minimum wage in Ireland is € 1,656 per month. Approximately 20% that is destined to pay taxes must be subtracted from this value. However, you can claim a refund of the taxes you paid before leaving Ireland using forms P50 or P60.

It is impossible to deny that the minimum wage is sufficient for a young foreigner. Keep in mind that if you certify your knowledge or improve your command of English, you can access better jobs with which you will possibly earn more money.

Average salary in Ireland

Now, if we talk about the average salary in Ireland, the picture changes a lot. By 2020, the median salary was € 3,890 per month, which is more than double the minimum wage.

Salaries by professions

We are going to review some concrete examples of the salaries received by some of the professions in which young migrants like you are most employed. Keep in mind that they are approximations if you want to work in Ireland, as the value increases each year.

  • Caregivers : € 19,894
  • Cleaners : € 20,249
  • ATMs : € 24,490
  • Painters : € 24,658
  • Delivery drivers: € 25,159
  • Bricklayers : € 31,180
  • Nurses : € 32,518
  • Physiotherapists : € 34,858
  • Mechanical engineers : € 35,079

You can expand this information on the PayScale portal.

Jobs with the most labor demand in Ireland

As we mentioned before, the government of Ireland publishes annually a list of jobs that are essential for Irish economic growth and in which, precisely, there is a shortage of professionals. Some of the jobs included in the list are:

  • ICT professionals: Application development, Software testing (QA), Data analysts, Technical support, Systems administration.
  • Science: chemists, scientists, and microbiologists.
  • Engineers.
  • Health professionals: doctors, pharmacists, nurses, radiologists, etc.
  • Professors with doctorates.
  • Counters.
  • Construction.
  • Professionals in financial services: banking, finance and insurance.
  • Art directors and designers.
  • Sales representatives: sales representatives
  • Hospitality professionals: chefs, waiters, receptionists, cleaners, etc.
  • Customer service: telemarketers in call centers and languages.

How to find a job in Ireland

The labor market in Ireland is dynamic, so finding a job should not be difficult. However, here we will give you our recommendations to make your search an easier process.

Ask your acquaintances to work in Ireland

One of the easiest ways to find job opportunities in Ireland is to talk to your acquaintances there and ask if they know of any offers. Share that you are currently looking for a job and that they recommend you if they discover an offer for you.

Although it is an old method, we assure you that even in the 21st century it still works even for working in Ireland.

Use Internet employment platforms

Through the employment platforms you can apply the filters to find a job that fits your profile and your expectations.

Some of the best portals to find work in Ireland are:

General job boards

  • Jobs.ie
  • Monster.ie
  • IrishJobs.ie
  • Indeed.ie
  • Jora
  • Jobsireland.ie
  • Recruitireland.com
  • Myjob.ie
  • Unskilled job boards
  • Gumtree.ie. On this platform you can find classified ads for low-skilled or part-time jobs.

Employment agency exchanges (Find the complete list here )

  • CPL
  • Irish Recruitment
  • Grafton Recruitment
  • Manpower
  • Adecco

Spanish-speaking job boards

  • Europelanguagejobs.com
  • Toplanguagejobs.ie
  • Irishjobs.ie/Spanish-Jobs

Specialty bags

  • AuPair Ireland: To find work as an AuPair in Ireland.
  • Healthcarejobs.ie: Jobs for healthcare professionals.
  • Educationcareers.ie: Jobs in the Education sector.
  • Noel Group: Jobs in Hospitality.
  • Computerjobs.ie: Jobs for engineers.

Use the Irish Public Employment Service

The Irish Public Employment Service is an excellent alternative to start your job search. Through an organization called Intreo, you can receive advice and information to work in Ireland.

You can enter their website to begin your search or go to their physical offices arranged throughout the country.

The power of social media to work in Ireland

You can always use social media for more than just sharing your last party photos on Facebook or Instagram. In both you can complete a professional profile detailing your studies and your work experience.

However, the best bet is on LinkedIn, the social network for professionals. Here you can break down the steps of your professional career in more detail, so you can create a very attractive profile.

You can apply directly to job offers on this platform, and even if your profile is prominent enough, you can start receiving offers to work in Ireland directly in your inbox.

Go out and ask

The traditional method of going out and handing out your CV in local businesses and businesses is still effective. Businesses like restaurants, bars and shops will always need an extra hand to serve customers.

Prepare your best smile, create the best CV, print several copies and distribute them to these businesses to work in Ireland. By the way you get to know the city.