If you’re trying to find a job in Ireland, your best bet is heading to the capital, Dublin. Popular industries that are hiring in Ireland include technology and IT, healthcare, construction and engineering, finance and accounting, and hospitality and tourism.
Foreigners can absolutely get hired in Ireland as it’s part of the EU and speaks English as the main working language. You can typically work on-site or remotely, and many roles come with visa sponsorship and relocation packages. NEARFAR shares 100,000+ new jobs a month from 30+ countries, including a large number of visa sponsorship roles in Ireland.
Where the jobs are in Ireland
The main cities for jobs in Ireland are Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway. Understandably, the Irish capital is where the bulk of the jobs are. This is also where you’ll find the largest expat communities. Industries here include technology, finance, professional services, biotech, and administration. It’s known for being the headquarters for Google, Meta, and Microsoft. However, Dublin is notoriously expensive when it comes to housing.
Both Cork and Limerick are known for manufacturing, engineering, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and operations. While neither location is especially cheap, they’re a lot more cost-effective than Dublin. Cork is the second biggest city in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin.
Galway is a tourist hub known for its live music scene, coastal vibes, and incredible pubs. It’s also a growing hub for medical technology, healthcare, and IT. So, if you want to get in early on an expanding job market, Galway could be a fantastic bet, at a fraction of the cost of Dublin.
Jobs in Ireland for Foreigners: Employment Permits
When looking for a job in Ireland for foreigners, you need to consider employment permits and visas. If you’re a UK citizen, EU citizen, or EEA citizen, you can live and work in Ireland without a visa.
The main work visas in Ireland are the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit. The Critical Skills Employment Permit requires you to have a job offer of at least two years in an in-demand role. If you have a degree, the minimum salary requirement is €40,904. If you don’t have a degree, the minimum salary is €68,911. If you’ve graduated from your degree within the last 12 months, the minimum salary requirement is €36,848 (all figures as of October 2026).
The General Employment Permit is for all other roles and can be applied for with a 12-month work contract. There is a list of ineligible roles for this permit. They’re usually roles that can be filled by locals. On the whole, the minimum salary requirement is €36,605. If you are a Horticulture worker, Meat Processor Operative, Health Care Assistant (HCA) & Home Support Worker, the minimum annual salary is €32,691 or an hourly rate of €16.12 (as of October 2026).
Being able to live and work in Ireland is an attractive proposition, especially for Americans. Not only is it an English-speaking country, but it’s also in the EU. This means there’s opportunity for easy travel and cross-border working with the parameters of your visa.
How to get hired in Ireland
To get hired in Ireland, you typically need a CV and cover letter. These are usually the same format as a UK CV and cover letter. This means that your CV is no longer than two pages and is in reverse chronological order. Usually, there is a short blurb about yourself at the top, followed by your education and work experience. Your contact details also need to be at the top of your CV.
For your cover letter, it should be no longer than one page of A4. This equates to between three and five paragraphs. Lay it out like a letter, with your address and the hiring company’s address. Tell them why you want the job, why you’re a good fit, and what you could add to the business. Sign off formally and with respect.
Most of the time, jobs in Ireland will operate in English. If you’re working in culture, the arts, or for the government, you may need to know some Irish as part of your role. This will be clearly listed in the job description, if so. If you are learning Irish, make sure to mention that on your CV or cover letter to show that you’re invested in Irish life and culture.
It usually takes between six and eight weeks to hire in Ireland. This is slightly longer than elsewhere in Europe, but only by a couple of weeks.
Frequently asked questions
If you’re trying to get hired in Ireland, check out these FAQs for more answers.
Can Americans work in Ireland?
Yes, Americans can work in Ireland. You will need an employment permit, typically a Critical Skills Employment Permit or General Employment Permit. This depends on your job role, salary requirements, and contract length. Many Americans live and work in Ireland, especially for international companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Google, which all have headquarters in Dublin.
What is Ireland’s Critical Skills Employment Permit?
Ireland’s Critical Skills Employment Permit is a sponsored work visa that is based on a list of in-demand roles. It’s a fast-tracked process to fill much-needed positions in underserved industries like tech, IT, and healthcare. You need a two-year work contract and have to meet set minimum salary requirements based on your degree level.
Do I need a job offer to get an Irish work permit?
Yes, you need a job offer to get an Irish work permit. For a Critical Skills Employment Permit, you need a contract lasting at least two years. For a General Employment Permit, you need a contract lasting at least 12 months. There is a list of ineligible roles for work permits in Ireland, so check before you apply.
Which industries hire the most international workers in Ireland?
Technology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and engineering are the industries that hire the most international workers in Ireland. These roles are predominantly based in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. There are also intra-company transfer work permits available for multinational corporations. As Ireland is an English-speaking hub in the EU, there are many international companies with headquarters in Dublin.
Do EU citizens need a permit to work in Ireland?
No, EU citizens do not need a permit to work in Ireland. As Ireland is in the European Union, EU citizens have freedom to live, work, and study in Ireland. UK and EEA citizens also do not need a permit to work in Ireland due to ongoing agreements in the wake of Brexit.