Dublin at a Glance

Working in Dublin

Dublin's downtown districts have attracted many a multinational corporation and expat.

As 40% of all jobs in Ireland are located in Dublin, many expats decide on working in Dublin. The period of economic prosperity – the Celtic Tiger era – made Dublin one of the wealthiest cities on earth. Read our guide on working in Dublin to learn more about work permits, the job search, and more.

Working in Dublin: The International Experience

Working in Dublin is an experience similar to working in other major cities around the world, but it carries the distinct feature of high globalization that the Celtic Tiger period brought to the table. Specifically, many key players of international communications made a point of working in Dublin and even having their European headquarters there. The favorable taxation legislation on foreign investments and the rising interest in working in Dublin from people worldwide due to excellent growth rates and business opportunities were beneficiary factors.

The list of global communications giants working in Dublin basically is a list of the biggest websites worldwide. Amazon, Google, eBay, Microsoft and Amazon all have scores of employees working in Dublin-based subsidiaries. Although tourism is obviously not a choice for most expats interested in working in Dublin, the city profits considerably from the incessant stream of tourists interested in getting a glimpse of Ireland.

Working in Dublin: Effects on the Expat Population

At the height of the economic boost around 2006, Ireland had about 420.000 foreign nationals living and working in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and other industrial and economic centers. Despite Ireland’s traditional status as a country of emigration rather than immigration, the heightened interest in working in Dublin has brought the country its first significant rise in population numbers since decades.

With the onset of the crisis, these numbers declined rapidly. Working in Dublin or elsewhere in the country did not seem feasible or even possible to many, which caused emigration of foreigners as well as Irish nationals.

Working in Dublin: Recent Issues

Working in Dublin has also gained importance among large, globally active banks such as the Citigroup and Commerzbank. Another mainstay and large employer during the years of economic zenith was the construction industry. The global financial and mortgage crisis has obviously had the most devastating effects on these sectors, and many employees working in Dublin’s banks and construction sites suddenly faced joblessness.

Ireland was one of the first countries in the EEA who suffered the near-breakdown of important economic sectors and still has not completely overcome the crisis. The overall situation, however, is a lot more promising than it was in 2009, at the height of the troubles. Expats from outside the EEA might still find it somewhat tricky to start working in Dublin.

Working in Dublin: Work Permits

As we have illustrated in detail in our article on Moving to Ireland, if you are a resident of a country outside the European Economic Area, a work permit is your key to moving to and working in Dublin. Ireland has tightened its immigration policies following the harsh blows of the 2008 economic crisis, focusing on employment for nationals and citizens of the European Union first.

As an EU citizen, you enjoy freedom of movement throughout the entire area of the European Union. This, of course, also includes Ireland and Dublin. Due to the European labor regulations, you enjoy the same rights and privileges as Irish nationals without restrictions. Starting a new life as an expat in Dublin will thus come easiest if you are from the EU, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland.