Salary information is hugely important when considering a new job, but there’s so much more you need to know! Context is everything - how many hours you’ll work, what to expect from your work environment & colleagues, employment benefits, cost of living, etc.
Here we’ll give you examples of a range of doctor salaries in addition to other important information you’ll need before settling on a career in Ireland.
GP Salaries
Currently GP salaries (permanent positions) range from €120,000 to €140,000 per annum. Locum GPs (part time) can earn anywhere from €100,000 to €250,000 per annum.
Salaries depend on how many days a week you work, and whether you have something extra to offer, like minor surgery or sports injuries.
Permanent GP Working Hours
In Ireland, GPs work in sessions of 3 or 4 hours (usually 3 hours with patients and 1 hour of paperwork), 2 sessions a day, 10 sessions a week. If GPs work overtime, pay is calculated in terms of hours.
Irish GPs might get paid marginally more as they require less training, but this difference is very small and doctors with foreign qualifications can easily increase their salary by working extra hours.
Locum GP Work
Temporary healthcare jobs in Ireland are generally called ‘locum’ jobs. Locum jobs also operate in sessions, but positions may last anywhere from one day to one year.
At this time Ireland has a huge amount of locum work available for doctors and healthcare in general, as existing healthcare staff are seeking more time off to recuperate following the Covid 19 pandemic.
When you Get Paid
Permanent GP positions are paid monthly at the end of the month. Many locum positions are also paid monthly, but some are paid weekly, it varies from job to job.
Employment Benefits
In Ireland certain employment benefits are mandatory, for example pension, health insurance, maternity/paternity leave, and sick pay, so all these are available to GPs.
Working as a GP in Ireland
The working environment for GPs in Ireland varies greatly from practice to practice. Busy, city centre practices offer more stimulation for those who like a fast paced environment, but rural GP practices (and there are plenty in Ireland) move at a slightly slower pace.
Wherever you end up working, one thing’s for sure - the Irish in general are a relaxed and friendly bunch! Irish people rate their general satisfaction with life at 7/10, which is higher than the world average of 6.7 (OECD Better Life Index).
Irish people are very polite and respectful of others’ feelings, and one thing we all agree on is that we love the ‘craic’. Craic is the Irish word for fun. It’s something that is central to our culture, and whilst we take our work very seriously, there’s always time to lighten the mood and share a smile, even at work.
Our working environment is such an important factor in our happiness at work, and we think you’ll find working in Ireland a pleasant experience.
Cost of Living
It’s no secret that the cost of living is increasing all over the world and Ireland is no exception. But there are ways to keep the cost of living down, particularly if you choose to live in less expensive areas like Limerick, Cork, Galway or Waterford, which are all counties with rich cultural and social scenes.
Taxation in Ireland
Ireland has a PAYE (pay as you earn) taxation system. Your employer will deduct your taxes from your earnings and then transfer the remainder to your bank account. It’s a system that makes paying taxes very easy for the employee, as all the basics are taken care of by your employer.
Your employer will deduct the following:
Income Tax
Your income tax contributions fund public services like the health service, emergency services, building and maintenance of infrastructure, and public education. If you’re a single person earning under €36,800, you pay tax at the lower rate of 20%. Salaries over €36,800 move you into a higher tax band of 41% tax.
However, there are increased rate bands available for people in certain situations, for example, if you’re married. For more information, visit this page.
There are also a range of tax credits available, which will automatically be credited to you once you declare your personal status (single/married, children/no children, etc) to the Revenue Commissioners. You can find more details here and here.
It’s important to note that when you start working in Ireland, you must register immediately with the Revenue Commissioners to avoid paying excess tax. If you start working before you’re fully registered, it’s highly likely you’ll pay emergency tax, which may mean you’re overpaying until your registration is complete. To help you avoid this situation, here’s a guide that explains how to register with the Revenue Commissioners.
USC (Universal Social Charge)
This is a second tax that also contributes to public services that cannot be reduced by tax credits. In 2022 it’s charged at a rate of 4.5% if you earn between €21,295.01 - €70,044, and 8% if you earn over €70,044.01. For the latest figures visit this page.
PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance)
This is a contribution to the Social Insurance Fund, which allows you to claim a range of benefits from the Department of Social Protection. You can find more information here.
Finding Work as a GP in Ireland
Right now in Ireland there are lots of GP jobs available! Register with us today to get more information - just click the button below.
