€14.15/hr
National Minimum Wage
From 1 January 2026. Applies to all employees aged 20 and over.
€551.85/week
Weekly equivalent
Based on a 39-hour working week at the full adult rate.
€28,696/year
Annual equivalent
Based on 52 weeks at the adult rate for a 39-hour week. Before tax.
€15.40/hr
Living Wage 2025/26
Separate from the statutory minimum. Calculated by the Living Wage Technical Group.
Who the minimum wage applies to
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) applies to employees and workers in Ireland, whether full-time, part-time, casual, temporary, or on a fixed-term contract. Agency workers are also covered. Domestic workers employed in a private home are covered.
The minimum wage does NOT apply to:
- Genuinely self-employed people (sole traders, contractors working independently)
- Close family members of an employer working in a private home (a spouse, civil partner, or child living with the employer)
- Craft apprentices registered under the Industrial Training Act 1967 — they are covered by separate apprenticeship pay agreements under SOLAS
If you're unsure whether you're classed as an employee or self-employed, the WRC has an online tool at workplacerelations.ie to help you determine your status. The label your employer puts on the arrangement does not override the legal reality.
All minimum wage rates from 1 January 2026
| Category | Hourly rate | % of NMW |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (aged 20 and over) | €14.15 | 100% |
| Aged 19 | €12.74 | 90% |
| Aged 18 | €11.32 | 80% |
| Under 18 | €9.91 | 70% |
Minimum wage vs Living Wage
These are two different things, and it matters to understand both.
The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor, the rate employers are required to pay by law. From 1 January 2026, that floor is €14.15/hr for adults. Paying below this rate is illegal.
The Living Wage is a separate figure calculated annually by the Living Wage Technical Group, a body supported by organisations including TASC, Social Justice Ireland, SIPTU, and the Vincentian MESL Research Centre. For 2025/26, the Living Wage is €15.40/hr. It represents what researchers estimate a single adult without dependents needs to earn to meet basic costs: food, housing, transport, clothing, health, and modest social participation.
The Living Wage is voluntary. No law requires employers to pay it. Some employers choose to pay it, and some have Living Wage accreditation. The statutory minimum wage and the Living Wage are calculated differently and serve different purposes. The NMW is a legal floor. The Living Wage is an estimate of what basic needs actually cost.
As of 2026, the €14.15 NMW is €1.25/hr below the Living Wage estimate.
What counts as pay for minimum wage purposes
The minimum wage applies to basic reckonable pay. Not everything that appears on your payslip counts toward the calculation.
Counts toward minimum wage (reckonable): Fees, bonuses, and commission payments are included.
Does NOT count: Tips and gratuities paid into a central fund and distributed through payroll are not reckonable. Your employer cannot use tips to bring your hourly rate up to the minimum wage. This applies whether tips are paid in cash or through the payroll system.
Board and lodgings deductions (from 1 January 2026): If your employer provides meals, they can deduct up to €1.27 per hour worked. For accommodation only, the cap is €33.42 per week (or €4.77 per day). Deductions above these limits cannot be used to reduce your effective hourly rate below the NMW.
Working hours and how to check your rate
To check whether you're being paid correctly, calculate your actual hourly rate:
Hourly rate = total gross pay in the period divided by total hours worked
Example: You work 40 hours in a week and receive €540 gross. That's €13.50/hr, which is below the adult minimum wage of €14.15. Your employer is breaking the law.
A few important points on what counts as working time:
- Unpaid trial shifts count as working time. You cannot legally be asked to work a trial shift without pay.
- Mandatory training time required by your employer counts. If you must complete training to do your job and your employer requires it, that time must be paid at minimum wage.
- On-call time spent at your workplace counts as working time. If you're required to be present at the workplace while on call, that time is reckonable.
- Travel time counts if you're travelling as part of your duties during work hours.
Keep a record of your hours. If you work irregular hours or shifts, keep a note of start and finish times. This becomes important if you ever need to make a complaint.
What to do if you're being underpaid
If you believe you're being paid below the minimum wage, here are the steps to take:
Step 1: Calculate your actual hourly rate. Take your gross pay for a period and divide it by the hours you worked. Compare that to the rate applicable to your age. Remember that tips do not count toward the calculation.
Step 2: Raise it with your employer in writing. Send an email or letter stating the issue clearly. Keep a copy. Raising a minimum wage concern in writing creates a record and is the standard first step before a formal complaint.
Step 3: If it's unresolved, make a complaint to the WRC. You have 6 months from the date of the alleged breach to submit a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission at workplacerelations.ie. The process is free. You do not need a solicitor.
It is illegal for your employer to penalise you for raising a minimum wage concern or making a WRC complaint. Penalisation means dismissal, demotion, reduced hours, or any adverse change to your working conditions as a result of asserting your rights. If this happens, that itself is a separate breach of employment law.
The WRC also runs an information line at 0818 80 8090 if you want to talk through your situation before deciding what to do.
Make a complaint to the WRC
If you believe you're being underpaid, you can submit a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission online at workplacerelations.ie. The process is free and confidential. You have 6 months from the date of the breach to submit. You do not need a solicitor to make a complaint.
Know your rights
The key minimum wage rights every employee in Ireland should know.
- ✓You must receive a payslip for every pay period showing your gross pay, deductions, and net pay.
- ✓You cannot waive your right to minimum wage. Any clause in a contract that tries to do this has no legal effect.
- ✓Trial shifts must be paid. Asking you to work unpaid on a trial basis is illegal.
- ✓Tips do not count toward minimum wage. Your employer cannot use tips to top up your hourly rate.
- ✓On-call time at your workplace and mandatory training time both count as working time.
- ✓You have 6 months to make a WRC complaint about underpayment — and you cannot be penalised for doing so.
We'll notify you when the minimum wage changes — usually announced in Budget.
Common questions about minimum wage in Ireland
What is the minimum wage in Ireland in 2026?▾
From 1 January 2026, the National Minimum Wage is €14.15 per hour for workers aged 20 and over. The rate for 19-year-olds is €12.74/hr (90%), for 18-year-olds €11.32/hr (80%), and for under-18s €9.91/hr (70%). The rate is reviewed annually, subscribe at parce.ie/minimum-wage to be notified when it changes.
What is the minimum wage for under 18 in Ireland?▾
Workers under 18 are entitled to €9.91 per hour — 70% of the full National Minimum Wage of €14.15. This applies regardless of how many hours they work or whether they are full-time or part-time.
Do tips count toward minimum wage in Ireland?▾
No. Tips and gratuities paid into a central fund and distributed through the payroll are not reckonable for minimum wage purposes. Your employer cannot use tips to bring your effective hourly rate up to the minimum wage. Your basic pay must meet or exceed the minimum wage independently of any tips.
What is the minimum wage for apprentices in Ireland?▾
Craft apprentices registered under the Industrial Training Act 1967 are excluded from the standard National Minimum Wage framework. Their pay is set under separate apprenticeship agreements administered by SOLAS. Check your apprenticeship agreement or contact SOLAS directly for the applicable rates for your trade and year.
What is the Living Wage in Ireland in 2026?▾
The Living Wage for 2025/26 is €15.40 per hour, calculated by the Living Wage Technical Group. This is separate from the statutory National Minimum Wage of €14.15. The Living Wage is voluntary — employers are not legally required to pay it — but it represents what researchers estimate a single adult needs to meet basic living costs in Ireland.
What can I do if my employer is not paying me the minimum wage?▾
Calculate your actual hourly rate first. If it's below the minimum wage applicable to your age, raise it with your employer in writing. If unresolved, submit a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission at workplacerelations.ie. There is no fee. You have 6 months from the date of the breach. Your employer cannot penalise you for making a complaint.
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