Generally, the amount of pay you get for working is agreed between you and your employer, and pay negotiations normally happen when you get a job offer. However, most employees are entitled to a minimum wage under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.

Since January 1st 2026, the national minimum wage for people aged 20 and over has increased to €14.15 per hour. The national minimum wage does not stop an employer from offering you a higher wage. You cannot agree to be paid less than the minimum wage or to do unpaid work unless you are employed by a close family relative or are on a recognised apprenticeship.

What counts as pay?

For the minimum wage, your gross wage includes your normal basic pay, any shift premium, any fee, bonus or commission, service charges given through the payroll, and zero-hours payments.

If you get food (known as board) or accommodation from your employer, the following amounts are included in the minimum wage calculation: board rates at €1.27 an hour, and lodging rates at €33.42 a week or €4.77 a day. Employers must pay a minimum wage to work experience placements, work trials, internships and any other employment practice involving unpaid work or working for room and board.

How is my hourly rate calculated?

Your hourly rate is calculated by dividing your gross pay by the total number of hours you have worked. However, it must be clear what pay is included, which hours are included as working hours, and the pay reference period whether you are paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

How are my Working hours calculated?

Your working hours are whichever is longer between the number of hours set out in any document, such as your employment contract, and the actual number of hours you worked or were available for work and get paid for.

Your working hours include overtime and travel time where this is part of the job. Time spent on training that your employer approved and during normal working hours, is also included. Your working hours do not include the time you are on standby other than at the workplace, on leave, lay-off, strike, or after payment instead of notice, and travelling to or from work.

Pay reference period

Your employer selects the period, known as the pay reference period, to calculate the average hourly pay, for example, a week, fortnight, or month (but no longer than a month). Your employer must include details of the pay reference period in your statement of employment conditions.

You can ask your employer for a written statement of your average rate of pay for any pay reference period within the last 12 months. The employer has four weeks to give you the statement.

Are some workers not entitled to minimum wage?

You are not entitled to get the national minimum wage if you are employed by a close relative (for example, a spouse, civil partner or parent), in a statutory apprenticeship, or aged under 20.

What are the current minimum rates of pay?

From January 1st, the minimum wage is €14.15 for those aged 20 and over, €12.74 for those aged 19, €11.32 for those aged 18, and €9.91 for those under 18.

What happens if my employer cannot pay me the minimum wage?

If your employer cannot afford to pay the minimum wage due to financial difficulty, the Labour Court can give them permission, or exempt them from paying the minimum wage rate for between three months and one year. Only one exemption is allowed.

The employer must apply to the Labour Court for the exemption, and they must have the agreement of a majority of employees. The employer and the employees must all agree to follow the decision of the Labour Court.

The employer must show that they are unable to pay the minimum wage and that if they had to pay it, they would need to lay off or dismiss employees. Employers can only be exempt from paying the full rate of the minimum wage. They cannot be exempt from paying the reduced rate (for example, to employees under 18).

What are my options if I feel that I am vitamised by my employer for requesting the minimum wage?

If you ask your employer to pay the minimum wage, you are protected by law from victimisation or dismissal. If you are dismissed for asking for the minimum wage, you can bring a claim for unfair dismissal. You can do this no matter how long you have worked for your employer or how many hours you work each week.

If you are due an increase under the National Minimum Wage Act, your employer may try to cut your working hours to avoid an increase in the overall cost of your pay. However, they cannot do this without also reducing your duties or the amount of work.

How to make a complaint if I do not receive the minimum wage to which I am entitled?

If you are not getting the minimum wage, you should speak with your employer first. If you cannot resolve the problem with your employer, you can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission  by completing the online complaint form on workplacerelations.ie. You can speak with your local CIC for information on making a complaint.