Dublin Policy Unit
January 13, 2026
Ireland's Critical Skills Employment Permit in 2026
Ireland's Critical Skills Employment Permit offers a fast-track route to permanent residency for workers in high-demand occupations.
New Additions for 2026
Ireland has expanded its Critical Skills Occupations List to include:
Technology:
- AI/Machine Learning Engineers
- Cloud Architects
- Cybersecurity Specialists
- Data Engineers
Healthcare:
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Radiographers
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
Construction & Engineering:
- Quantity Surveyors
- Building Information Modelling (BIM) Managers
- Environmental Engineers
Key Benefits
The Critical Skills permit offers:
- Immediate family reunification - Spouse can work without a permit
- Fast track to residency - Eligible for Stamp 4 after 2 years
- No labor market test - Employer doesn't need to prove no local candidates
Salary Requirements
- General threshold: €38,000 per year
- Select occupations: €64,000 per year (for roles not on the list)
Path to Citizenship
After 5 years of residence (including 2 years on Critical Skills), you can apply for Irish citizenship, which also grants EU citizenship.