What will the minimum wage be in 2027?
The Government decides in Budget 2027, on Tuesday 6 October 2026. The Low Pay Commission has recommended €14.94 an hour from 1 January 2027, a rise of 79 cent (5.6%) on today's €14.15. The Government has accepted the Commission's adult rate every year since 2016, but this year some ministers have said privately that the increase is too high, so the full amount is not certain.
Minimum wage by age
| Age | Share | 2026 an hour | 2027 if recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 and over | 100% | €14.15 | €14.94 |
| Aged 19 | 90% | €12.74 | €13.45 |
| Aged 18 | 80% | €11.32 | €11.95 |
| Under 18 | 70% | €9.91 | €10.46 |
Minimum wage a week, a month and a year
For a full-time job of 39 hours a week, the usual full-time week in Ireland. At a different number of hours, our salary calculator takes an hourly rate and your hours.
| Before tax | 2026 | 2027 recommended |
|---|---|---|
| An hour | €14.15 | €14.94 |
| A week | €551.85 | €582.66 |
| A month | €2,391 | €2,525 |
| A year | €28,696 | €30,298 |
Take-home pay on the minimum wage
A single person under 65 working 39 hours a week. Both columns use the 2026 tax rates, with PRSI at 4.35%, because the 2027 rates are only known on Budget day. We update this table when they are.
| A year | 2026 at €14.15 | 2027 at €14.94 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | €28,696 | €30,298 |
| Income tax | €1,739 | €2,060 |
| USC | €394 | €442 |
| PRSI | €1,248 | €1,318 |
| Take-home a year | €25,315 | €26,479 |
| Take-home a month | €2,110 | €2,207 |
| Take-home a week | €487 | €509 |
Of the €1,602 extra a year before tax, €1,164 reaches your pocket on 2026 rates. One thing to watch: €30,298 is above the point where the 3% USC rate starts (€28,700 in 2026), so part of a full-time minimum wage would pay 3% USC. The Budget usually raises that threshold with the minimum wage to stop this happening.
How the minimum wage has risen
| From 1 January | An hour | Rise |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €11.30 | |
| 2024 | €12.70 | +€1.40 |
| 2025 | €13.50 | +80c |
| 2026 | €14.15 | +65c |
| 2027 (recommended) | €14.94 | +79c |
Why the rates for under-20s are lower
Irish law lets employers pay workers under 20 a share of the adult rate: 70% under 18, 80% at 18 and 90% at 19. From your 20th birthday you are entitled to the full rate. The Low Pay Commission has recommended more than once that these youth rates be abolished. The Government has kept them so far, after objections from small employers.
Workers on a recognised apprenticeship and people employed by a close relative are not covered by the minimum wage at all.
What counts towards the minimum wage
Your hourly rate is your gross pay for the pay period divided by the hours you worked. Basic pay, shift premiums, bonuses and commission count. Overtime premiums, Sunday and public holiday premiums, tips paid to you directly, sick pay and your employer's pension contributions do not. Board and lodgings provided by your employer can count, up to set amounts.
If you are paid less than the minimum wage, raise it with your employer first, then with the Workplace Relations Commission.
Minimum wage 2027: common questions
What is the minimum wage in Ireland in 2027?
The Government sets it in Budget 2027 on 6 October 2026. The Low Pay Commission has recommended €14.94 an hour from 1 January 2027, up from €14.15. Until the Budget it stays a recommendation.
When does the new minimum wage start?
On 1 January 2027. Until then the rate is €14.15 an hour for workers aged 20 and over.
What is the minimum wage for 16, 17, 18 and 19 year olds?
Workers under 20 can be paid a lower rate: 70% of the adult rate under 18, 80% at 18 and 90% at 19. In 2026 that is €9.91, €11.32 and €12.74 an hour. At the recommended €14.94 it would be €10.46, €11.95 and €13.45.
Do you pay tax on the minimum wage?
Yes, but not much. A full-time worker on the minimum wage pays some income tax, a little USC and PRSI. The table above shows exactly how much, and the salary calculator does it for any hourly rate and hours.
Can my employer pay me less than the minimum wage?
Only in narrow cases: if you are under 20, on a recognised apprenticeship, or employed by a close relative. An employer in financial difficulty can ask the Labour Court for a temporary exemption, with the agreement of most staff.
Where this comes from
2026 rates, youth rates and what counts as pay: Citizens Information, checked 5 October 2026. The 2027 recommendation: RTÉ News. That the adult rate has been accepted every year since 2016: Ibec SFA. Doubts about the full increase: The Irish Times, 28 September 2026. Earlier rates: TheJournal.ie. Take-home pay: our salary calculator.