Bulgarian and Romanian Nationals

Ireland will continue to restrict access to the Irish labor market for nationals of Bulgaria and Romania.

A few things of note:

• Bulgarians and Romanians will be required to have a valid work permit to take up employment within Ireland, and will continue to be subject to a labor market needs test.
• However, nationals of Bulgaria and Romania already working in Ireland on a valid work permit for an uninterrupted period of 12 months or longer prior to 31 December 2006 will not require a work permit.
• Employers must satisfy a labor markets needs requirement first from within the European Economic Area (EEA), and if this is not possible, then give preference to nationals from Bulgaria and Romania ahead of non-EEA nationals.

Spouses and Dependents of Bulgarians and Romanians

Spouses and dependents of Bulgarian and Romanian nationals who have been working in Ireland for a continuous period of more than 12 months will not require a work permit if they have been legally resident within Ireland.

However, if the spouse or dependent arrives in Ireland after 01 January 2007 then they will require a work permit. They must have a job offer to get the permit, but are not required to have a labor market needs test.