Employer of Record Services for Ireland

Employing in Ireland

Famed for its history, folklore and lively St Patrick’s Day celebrations, Ireland has plenty to offer — from metropolitan cities to lush green landscapes. Not forgetting a pint of Guinness or two…

The country also has one of the highest standards of living and one of the youngest populations in Europe. On top of that, English is widely spoken on the Emerald Isle (it’s the first language of the majority of the country), making it an ideal place for international businesses.

A thriving economy, good infrastructure, pro-business attitude and financial incentives like low corporate tax and tax credits have also seen Ireland emerge as an attractive location for overseas companies looking to expand globally. In fact, these favourable business conditions and Ireland’s well-connected geographical location mean an impressive number of multinational companies — including Apple, Facebook and Google — have already chosen to take advantage of the ‘luck of the Irish’ and set up their European homes in the country.

Our Expertise

Managing a global workforce in Ireland

Managing a workforce in Ireland requires navigating its unique blend of local labour laws and European Union directives. Ireland's labour laws emphasise employee rights, including robust protections against unfair dismissal and discrimination, as well as entitlements to leave and benefits.

TopSource Worldwide assists businesses in managing these complexities by ensuring adherence to legal requirements, handling payroll and tax responsibilities, and offering tailored solutions for workforce management in Ireland.

Extensive expertise

Our team of experienced, knowledgeable staff collectively provide up-to-date employment information across 180 countries, so you can always get accurate advice.

Entity-free employment

Feel free to hire employees from all over the world without being weighed down by setting up entities, running complex payroll or recruiting a hiring team.

Payroll without hassle

Have the confidence that your staff will always be paid accurately and on time, so that you can focus on your core business activities and work towards your success.

Always-on support

Access helpful, relevant, personalised advice whenever you need it, along with expert-led recruitment policies and tried-and-tested HR best practices.

"With TopSource we were able to have employees hired or maintained in Nutreco without having to establish an entity in these countries for only 1-2 employees. I think most countries are covered by TopSource, so they can help us with almost all cases. Good advice on conditions and direct contact with employees. Invoicing done directly to the company. An easy process compared to hiring employees by ourselves."

Annette van Duijnhoven

Nutreco

See our customer stories

”We searched the market for a local payroll vendor in 2014 and we chose TopSource as our partner. We were looking for error-free and timely payroll processing and TopSource Worldwide delivers this, saving us time and money. We have worked together for 8 years now and would recommend them to anyone."

Praveen Lihinar

Sungard

See our customer stories

”TopSource Worldwide has a detailed and methodical onboarding process that made it easy for us to get set up and running with our UK employees. They were able to take the worry out of trying to comply with all local laws and regulations. Because they have this knowledge we do not have to research on our own and hope we are in compliance. This has saved us hours of time and gives both the company and employees a sense of security."

Supervisor

Client based in Ft Worth, Texas, USA

See our customer stories

GLOBAL EXPANSION STRATEGY

Personalised Employer of Record services in Ireland

TopSource Worldwide offers personalised Employer of Record (EOR) services tailored to meet the specific needs of your business in Ireland. This includes handling employee onboarding, payroll processing, tax compliance, employee benefits management, and HR support. Our EOR services ensure that your business meets all legal and regulatory requirements, providing a hassle-free solution to manage your Ireland-based employees.

End-to-end Ireland payroll services

Looking to expand into Ireland? Our unparalleled expertise in global payroll services ensures that your business can seamlessly navigate the complexities of payroll on a global scale, supporting your Ireland expansion initiatives.

Global entity management

Venturing into the Irish market can be both exciting and challenging. With distinct business regulations, cultural nuances, and economic landscapes, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your business establishment journey.

Accounting

Whether your goal is to process your purchase-to-pay transactions with minimum errors or manage your expense claim procedure, our team of experts can handle your accounting responsibilities, allowing you to focus on your core business and save time and money.

Global EOR services

Managing a diverse global workforce can be complex. This is where TopSource steps in as an invaluable employer of record services partner for companies seeking to expand their global reach while ensuring compliance with local employment laws and regulations.

Global Expansion Simplified

How to do business in Ireland

Entering the Irish market presents a mix of excitement and challenges. Given unique business regulations, cultural intricacies, and economic dynamics, a well-defined roadmap is crucial for a successful business establishment.

TopSource Worldwide is with you at every stage. Whether it's navigating local regulations or facilitating seamless operational transitions, our expertise ensures a swift and efficient process for establishing your business in Ireland.

Start your Ireland expansion

Ireland Insights

Key insights into Ireland's landscape

VAT rates: Ireland has a standard VAT rate of 23%, with reduced rates of 13.5% and 9% for specific goods and services.

Ease of Doing Business rank: Ireland ranks 24th in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index, showing a highly favourable business environment.

Consumer Confidence Index: As of 2022, Ireland's Consumer Confidence Index was 96.8, indicating stable economic sentiment.

Employee maternity/paternity leave: Maternity leave is up to 26 weeks, and paternity leave is up to 2 weeks, supporting work-life balance for new parents.

Employee termination period: Standard notice for termination is typically 1 to 4 weeks, depending on employment contract terms and length.

Employee salary pay date: Wages are generally paid monthly, with specific pay dates outlined in employment contracts and subject to labour laws.

Bank holidays: Ireland observes national holidays, including St. Patrick's Day, Good Friday, and Christmas, with a total of 9 public holidays a year.

Country guidelines

Statutory benefits

Salary

In Ireland, there’s only a requirement to pay employees’ salaries in 12 equal instalments.

Healthcare

Healthcare in Ireland is comprised of a public and private system.

Employees who are deemed ‘ordinarily resident’ in Ireland are entitled to receive healthcare through the public healthcare system, which is managed by the Health Service Executive and funded by general taxation and subsidised fees for service. All maternity services and childcare up to the age of six years are provided free of charge. Emergency care is provided at the cost of €100 for a visit to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department if one has not attended a GP first.

Medical cards — which entitle holders to free hospital care, GP visits, dental services, optical services, aural services, prescription drugs and medical appliances — are available to those receiving welfare payments, low earners, many retirees and in certain other cases. Individuals who are not entitled to a medical card (i.e., 68.1% of the population) must pay certain healthcare services fees.

TopSource Worldwide does not offer an occupational private healthcare scheme in Ireland but can facilitate reimbursement of a private healthcare package sourced directly by the employee from one of the private healthcare providers that are best matched to their own needs. This would be classed as a ‘benefit-in-kind’. Further information can be provided on request.

The main private healthcare providers are:

Vhi Healthcare (a statutory body and the largest provider of voluntary private health insurance in Ireland)
Laya Healthcare (formerly QUINN-healthcare)
Irish Life Health (formerly Aviva Health/GloHealth)

Pension

TopSource Worldwide doesn’t operate an occupational pension scheme. However, access is provided to a payroll deduction facility by way of a Personal Retirement Savings Account scheme (PRSA) which is provided through Zurich Life.

There’s no obligation for employers to contribute to this scheme, but they must make one available to employees.

Employer costs

Employers costs in Ireland cover:

Pay-related social insurance (PRSI) — PRSI applies to both employers and employees and is the primary source of funding for social welfare payments in Ireland
Universal social charge (USC) — a tax payable on an employee’s total income for employees and employers (total income for USC purposes includes things such as employment income, taxable employer benefits, self-employed income, rental income, share option gains, dividend income)

The rate payable is 11.05% (2020) of the total gross monthly salary and is payable directly to the Irish Tax & Customs.

Other provisions

Working hours

It’s customary for employees in Ireland to work 40 hours per week with a one-hour lunch break.

Employees are entitled to work breaks in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

All employees in Ireland are required to complete a monthly timesheet which must be authorised by the work-side employer (client).

Holiday entitlement

The holiday year of the company runs from January to December of each year.

Employees are entitled to 20 holiday days per annum, which is governed by Part III of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. All statutory entitlement has to be taken within the calendar year. This holiday entitlement is pro-rated for employees working part-time hours and for those who join mid-year. No more than 10 working days (two calendar weeks) can be taken together at any one time unless by prior written agreement.

Employees are required to book their holidays at least two weeks in advance of taking such holidays.

Entitlement to leave for public holidays is governed by the provisions of Part III of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997

Employ and pay anywhere

Specialising in multi-country payroll solutions

TopSource Worldwide offers comprehensive payroll outsourcing services, ensuring seamless and accurate management of your organisation's payroll functions. With cutting-edge technology and a team of experienced professionals, we handle payroll processing, tax compliance, and regulatory requirements with precision.

Discover our payroll benefits

Calculate Your Employer of Record Taxes in Seconds

Employment Cost Calculator in Ireland

Our Employment Cost Calculator simplifies complex tax calculations for global businesses. Accurately assess tax obligations, ensuring compliance with local regulations. Streamline payroll management effortlessly with our user-friendly tool, providing transparency and efficiency in international workforce taxation.

In addition to calculating your EOR taxes, our calculator can also help you:

Understand the different types of EOR taxes
Stay up-to-date on the latest changes to EOR tax regulations
Avoid penalties for non-compliance

Speak to our team

Our author

Mark Robbins

Global Sales Director

Mark is the Sales Director at Topsource Worldwide. He has been a pioneering figure in the global expansion space since 2013. He is the first salesperson to sell EOR services in Europe, a feat he accomplished in 2013.

Published 2023-11-14 00:00:00

Updated 2023-11-15 00:00:00

Reviewed by:

Adrian Cooney

Fact checked by:

Adrian Cooney

Employer of Record FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Irish employment solutions

What is an Employer of Record in Ireland?

An Employer of Record (EOR) is a professional services provider that assumes the responsibility of being the legal employer for a company's workforce in Ireland. This entails managing tasks such as payroll processing, tax withholding, benefits administration, and ensuring compliance with local labour laws and regulations.

How do global employment services work?

Global employment services operate as a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking to expand their workforce across borders. These services, often provided by Employer of Record (EOR) companies like TopSource Worldwide, streamline the complexities of international employment.

What are the benefits of working with an Employer of Record in Ireland?

Employer of Record companies assume the legal responsibilities associated with employment, alleviating the burden of compliance, payroll, and HR management in Ireland. This allows companies to expand globally without the complexities of establishing legal entities in each location.

What is the difference between EOR & PEO?

An EOR acts as the legal employer, handling tasks like payroll, tax compliance, and benefits administration. This allows companies to expand internationally without establishing legal entities. On the other hand, a PEO shares employer responsibilities with the client company, often co-employing workers.

How are employer payroll taxes calculated in Ireland?

Calculating employer payroll taxes involves understanding the various taxes associated with employing workers and complying with tax regulations in Ireland. Key components include federal and state income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment taxes.

What global employment solutions does TopSource offer?

TopSource Worldwide facilitates hassle-free global expansion by acting as the legal employer, handling payroll, tax obligations, and HR responsibilities. With expertise in global entity management, TopSource assists businesses in navigating the intricacies of legal structures across borders.