In This Section
Introduction
The Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification sets out how Irish citizens and most residents may bring non-EEA family members to join them in Ireland.
Economic considerations are an important factor when assessing family reunification cases. The economic benefits that migration brings, including through the significant contribution to the State of work and taxation, must be balanced with the substantial costs to the State of education, childcare, housing, healthcare and welfare that may arise from family migration. The sponsor must assume full financial responsibility for the family member they are seeking to bring to reside in Ireland with them.
The State does not have an obligation to subsidise the family concerned and the sponsor must show evidence that they can provide for their family members if they are permitted to enter and reside in Ireland. The financial thresholds below, including in Table 1 and Table 2 below, will be applied in line with Section 9, Section 10 and Appendix D of the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy.
All sponsors must not have been mainly reliant on State supports from the Irish State for a continuous period of two years or longer immediately prior to application.
Please note: only the income of one sponsor will be considered, so you cannot combine your salary with that of your spouse, partner or any other family member to reach these thresholds.
Financial Thresholds for Spouses, Civil Partners and De Facto Partners
Category A sponsors (e.g. Irish citizens) must have earned a gross income over and above any State benefits of not less than €75,000, cumulative, over the three-year period prior to application (e.g. €25,000 per year over three years), with the expectation that this level of income will be maintained. This also applies for minor children (under 18 and unmarried).
For Category B sponsors (e.g. Critical Skills Employment Permit holder or researcher), the immigration status granted assumes certain levels of income either immediately or in the future or on the basis that the sponsor falls into a category whose migration to Ireland is promoted as part of Government policy. This also applies for minor children (under 18 and unmarried).
Category C sponsors (e.g. General Employment Permit holder) must have a gross income in excess of €30,000 in the previous year, with the expectation that this level of income will be maintained.
Table 1 – Financial Thresholds for Minor Children
If you are a Category C sponsor (e.g. a General Employment Permit holder) and you want to be joined by your unmarried minor children (under 18 and unmarried), you will need to earn more than the relevant net salary below in the middle column. You may be more familiar with your gross salary, so we have given indicative figures of what gross salary you will need in the right-hand column.
If you have received a job offer in Ireland and you are currently living overseas, it will likely include a gross salary figure (although you should make sure to check this). Your gross salary will need to be higher than the relevant figure on the right-hand-side otherwise you will not be able to be joined by your children and you should be aware of this when deciding whether or not to come to Ireland.
| Number of Children | Minimum Annual Net Salary Required (2026)[1] | Indicative Annual Gross Salary Equivalent (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Child | €39,780 | €50,200 |
| 2 Children | €45,032 | €60,200 |
| 3 Children | €50,284 | €70,100 |
| 4 Children | €55,016 | €80,000 |
| 5 Children | €61,568 | €93,700 |
| 6 Children | €67,600 | €106,300 |
| 7 Children | €74,672 | €121,100 |
| 8+ Children | €79,664 | €131,600 |
Table 2 – Financial Thresholds for Dependent Adult Relatives
All sponsors (Category A, B and C) who wish to be joined by their dependent adult relatives (dependent parents, or dependent adult children with serious medical or psychological conditions) need to earn more than the relevant gross salary below, in Ireland, in each of the three.
Please be aware that additional requirements apply for family reunification of this type, including a higher level of dependency. Please carefully review Section 8, Section 9 and Section 10 of the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy Document before you consider making an application.
| Number of Dependent Adult Relatives | Minimum Annual Gross Salary Required (2026)[2] |
|---|---|
| 1 Adult | €96,929 |
| 2 Adults | €130,985 |
| 3 Adults | €165,042 |
Categories of Eligible Sponsors
The financial thresholds for family reunification differ depending on the category of the sponsor and the family members concerned. Please see Section 4, Section 5 and Section 6 of the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy Document for full details on eligibility
Those granted refugee status or subsidiary protection status in the State, who are resident in Ireland, will be considered as Category C sponsors where the application is regarding a relationship that formed after they entered the state. This will be subject to a minimum waiting period of 2 years from the date on which the sponsor was granted international protection, which cannot be waived.
All other non-EEA nationals are not eligible for sponsorship, including: