Menu
Menu
When relocating to Ireland, there are plenty of things that need to be done; from finding accommodation, to getting a new phone number, to setting up an Irish bank account; but in order to do all of this, and indeed make the move, you'll need to secure a job!
Having a reliable source of income is paramount when relocating to any country, and it's equally as important that you understand how the tax system of the country you're moving to works and how it affects your salary. The aim of this blog is to give you an insight into salaries in Ireland, and to help you gain a basic understanding of our taxation systems (and direct you on where to go or who to contact you have further queries).
One of the most important things that you will do when you relocate to Ireland is apply for your Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). Your Personal Public Service Number is a unique reference number that is needed for all dealings with public service agencies, including Revenue. This number is essential for tax and income purposes, and must be applied for.
To get a PPS Number, you must provide evidence of:
The tax year in Ireland runs from 1 January to 31 December.
In Ireland, you’ll be taxed through the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system. You are eligible to pay Income Tax (IT), Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) and Universal Social Charge (USC). This means that each time you are paid, your employer deducts your income tax, PRSI and USC.
Tax is charged as a percentage of your income, and the rate you will pay is dependent on the salary you earn. The first part of your income, up to a certain amount, is taxed at 20%. This is known as the standard rate of tax and the amount that it applies to is known as the standard rate tax band. The remainder of your income is taxed at the higher rate of tax, 40%.
To find out more and see examples to help gain a further understanding of the tax rates, click below:
You are also entitled to tax credits, which reduce the amount of tax you pay. The good news is Ireland has one of the highest rates of tax relief in Europe! Revenue will give you a Personal Tax Credit if you are resident in Ireland. You may be able to claim additional tax credits depending on your personal circumstances.
A pension scheme (or pension plan) is a long-term savings plan that helps you save for the future. A pension plan allows you to make regular payments and/or transfer one-off lump sums into a fund for retirement.
In Ireland, taxes are applied to your pension when you are receiving the payments. There are tax relief credits you can receive on your pension, up to the Standard Fund Threshold which is €2 Million, everything above this is taxed at 40%.
There are limits to the amount of pension contributions you can get relief on in any one year:
The maximum percentage of gross income you can get relief on is:
Age Limited to
Under 30 15%
30-39 20%
40-49 25%
50-54 30%
55-59 35%
60+ 40%
Helpful links to understand Pension Taxation & Pension Tax Relief in better detail.
It is important to note that salaries of course vary from position to position, and it is always important to do your research on salaries when going to speak with a potential employer or your current employer. On average, we usually see the following:
Salaries can be negotiable, but they are not the most important thing to consider with every role. For instance, when working as a pharmacist, the package that accompanies the salary is just as important.
Packages that are offered are completely varying depending on the pharmacy. All packages include a minimum of 20 days annual leave, and as of 2023, three days sick leave is included in all contracts legally.
Packages can also include some of the following:
If you would like to discuss packages and salaries in further detail, please feel free to get in touch.
In Ireland, you can also opt into working as a Locum pharmacist or technician, or as an agency nurse. This opportunity gives you the chance to pick your rota, your location and salaries can be higher than permanent opportunities.
