Foreign-born population – 2024 | 23.3% of the population | Main countries of birth (2022): |
1.2 million, 51% women | Evolution since 2014: +54% | United Kingdom (28%), Poland (10%), India (6%) |
International Migration Outlook 2025
In 2024, Ireland received 72 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 9.6% more than in 2023. This figure comprises 45% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 44% labour migrants, 6% family members (including accompanying family) and 5% humanitarian migrants. Around 29 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 1 500 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 62 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2023, a 39% increase compared to 2022. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
In 2024, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 39%, to reach around 18 000. The majority of applicants came from Nigeria (4 000), Jordan (2 900) and Pakistan (1 400). The largest increase since 2023 concerned nationals of Nigeria (1 000) and the largest decrease nationals of Georgia (‑1 700). Of the 5 140 decisions taken in 2024, 74% were positive.
Emigration of Irish citizens to OECD countries increased by 4% in 2023, to 19 000. Approximately 20% of this group migrated to Spain, 12% to the Netherlands and 12% to Australia.
The Employment Permits Act 2024 was implemented in September 2024, bringing several significant changes to the Irish system, including a reduction of the job mobility period and a revision of the labour market test. It also contained the first Irish seasonal employment permit, which came into effect in February 2025. It allows seasonal work of “horticultural operatives” between April and November for a minimum EUR 30 000 annual salary and is renewable twice. It is a pilot restricted to the horticulture sector and few employers and occupations but is planned to be extended in the future.
In October 2024, the Department of Justice launched the “Digital Contact Centre”, a new online immigration self-service portal. Users can book registration appointments and their application’s status online. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment launched “Employment Permits Online”, a platform for all employment permit applications including enhanced data protection.
In March 2025, 1 000 General Employment Permits were added to the current quota for the role of care workers and carers in the home, and the occupation of town planner was added to the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL).
The increases to minimum annual remuneration (MAR) for employment permits that should have taken place in January 2025 have been postponed.
The International Protection Act 2015 was amended to reduce the social welfare entitlements payable to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection where they are resident in certain State‑provided accommodation.
In July 2024, the Department of Justice added Brazil, Egypt, India, Malawi, and Morocco as safe countries of origin.
In April 2025, the government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025 which is intended to replace the International Protection Act 2015. The draft Bill includes a new “border procedure” setting a three‑month limit for first-instance and appeal decisions to be completed for applicants from countries of origin with a recognition rate of 20% or less across the EU, or who have no documents or false documents, or who pose a security risk. It also proposes to establish a new appeals board and to reduce significantly oral hearings in asylum appeals. The new International Protection Act 2026 will be commenced when the EU Asylum and Migration Pact comes into effect in June 2026.
Since 13 January 2025, all first-time immigration registration services are being handled by Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in Dublin. Previously, individuals who wished to reside more than 90 days in Ireland could complete the registration at a local office of the An Garda Síochána (Irish police force). This aims to free up police time and makes immigration administration fully civilian.
On 5 June 2025, the Department of Justice updated its title to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and a new Minister of State with responsibility for migration was appointed. The change of title reflects the Department’s expanded remit following the transfer of different functions to the Department, among them the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), which offers accommodation and related services to international protection applicants.
For further information: www.irishimmigration.ie | www.ria.gov.ie | www.enterprise.gov.ie.
