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One of the biggest questions students ask before they arrive is whether they can support themselves while they study. The good news is that part-time work in Ireland for international students is not only allowed — it is one of the best ways to practise your English, meet local people and cover some of your living costs. This guide explains how many hours you can work, what you can realistically earn, and the practical steps to get started the right way.
If you are a non-EU/EEA student enrolled on an eligible full-time course of at least one year, your immigration permission (known as Stamp 2) gives you the right to work part-time alongside your studies. You receive Stamp 2 when you register with immigration after you arrive. Please confirm the current details on the official immigration website, as conditions can change, but the framework has been stable for years.
Two points matter most. First, your course must be on the recognised list — the English-language programmes at Erin College are organised with this in mind. Second, self-employment and freelancing are not permitted on Stamp 2; you must work for an employer.
The rules are simple and generous. During term time you may work up to 20 hours per week. During official holiday periods you may work full-time, up to 40 hours per week. Those holiday periods run from June to September and from 15 December to 15 January.
Staying within these limits matters — working more than your permission allows can affect your visa. Keep an eye on your timetable and your payslips so you never exceed 20 hours in a term-time week.
Ireland has a national minimum wage, which rose to €14.15 per hour for workers aged 20 and over from January 2026 (younger workers are paid reduced rates, and these figures can change, so confirm current details before you budget).
At 20 hours a week during term, that works out at roughly €280 per week before tax — a meaningful contribution towards rent, food and your Leap Card. During the summer, full-time hours can more than double that. Remember that tips in hospitality can add to your take-home pay, and that income tax and PRSI may be deducted depending on how much you earn.
Before any employer can pay you legally, you need a PPS (Personal Public Service) number. You apply through MyWelfare.ie once you have arrived and have an address and evidence that you need the number — usually a job offer. Our step-by-step guide to getting your PPSN walks you through it.
You will also want an Irish bank account so your wages can be paid in and you avoid foreign-card fees — see our guide to opening a bank account in Ireland. Organise both of these early; they take a little time and most employers will ask for them.
Most student jobs are in hospitality, retail, customer service and delivery — cafés, restaurants, shops and hotels are always hiring, especially in Dublin and Cork. Your English level will open more doors, so keep improving it.
A few practical tips: prepare a short one-page CV, hand it in person to local businesses, and use online job boards and student groups. Erin College also shares openings and advice — see our Find a Job page for current opportunities. Being friendly, reliable and available at weekends goes a long way.
It is easy to be tempted by extra shifts, but your course must come first — both for your progress and for your visa, which requires good attendance. Aim for a schedule that protects your class time and study, treat the 20-hour limit as a maximum rather than a target, and use work as extra English practice rather than a distraction from it.
Part-time work can offset your living expenses, but it will rarely cover course fees and rent entirely, so plan your budget before you arrive. For an overview of everything involved in moving here, read our complete guide to studying English in Ireland, and check the Price List for current course fees.
Yes. Your employer cannot pay you correctly without it, and you may be taxed at a higher emergency rate until it is sorted. Apply as soon as you have a job offer and an address.
No — term time is capped at 20 hours per week regardless of your personal schedule. Full-time hours are only allowed during the official holiday periods.
Not on Stamp 2. You must work as an employee for a registered employer.
