Located in Northwestern Europe and famous for its vibrant culture, global influence, and friendly reputation, Ireland has emerged as a prime entry point into the European market in today's interconnected global economy. For recruiters looking to place international contractors and businesses aiming to expand their footprint, Ireland offers a wide range of benefits that have made it an attractive choice for businesses, including some of the biggest names in the world. In this article, we explore the benefits of hiring in Ireland and discuss why Ireland presents a strategic advantage for organisations looking to expand and unlock the potential of a global workforce.
Location & access to global markets:
Ireland has been a member of the European Union since 1972, when it was then known as the EEC (European Economic Community). This move helped the country transform and grow to become a global leader across a range of industries, the European base for a range of multinational organisations, and one of the world's most competitive economies (ranking 4th in Europe and 12th worldwide).
As a member of the EU, businesses in Ireland have seamless access to the world's largest single market. As the only country in the Eurozone with English as its most used national language, Ireland offers a strategic link for companies from English-speaking regions such as the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Global ties:
Outside of the EU, Ireland has strong ties with a number of countries, with the USA and the United Kingdom being two of Ireland's top trading partners in recent years. Ireland also has tax treaties with 72 different countries; these agreements help prevent instances of double taxation and can reduce the tax owed on one's income. To learn more about this, check out our recent article here.
Despite Brexit coming into effect in 2020, as the UK officially left the EU, UK citizens can continue to live and work in Ireland without needing a visa or permit under the Common Travel Area agreement between the Irish and British governments. The same applies to Irish citizens in the UK, allowing for ease of travel.
This small island nation of Ireland also has long had strong historical and economic ties with the United States. According to data from the United States Census Bureau, a 2016 survey found that 32.3 million, 10% of people living in the USA, claimed Irish heritage. Ireland is host to around 1,000 US companies, including many of the world's biggest names in tech and pharma, including Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Hubspot, Citibank, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and AbbVie, to name a few. U.S. companies employ 211,000 people directly in Ireland and indirectly support an additional 168,000 jobs, with Ireland serving as a Gateway for accessing the European market. However, the strong ties are mutually beneficial when it comes to bilateral trade. Irish companies employ over 118,00 people across the United States and, according to IBEC, are the largest business investor in the state of Idaho and the 3rd largest in the state of Wisconsin. Ireland is also now the 6th largest investor in the U.S., with over 500 Irish companies with U.S. bases and operations, including big names such as Stripe, Glanbia, Kerry Group, CRH, Smurfit Kappa, Kingspan and Ornua, to name a few.
Infrastructure: Built for global business:
The country's strong infrastructure and continued investment make it an attractive location for business and professionals alike. The country boasts a strong uptake in mobile broadband, with internet connection reaching nearly all of the population and a high uptake in digital technology, with almost 50% of businesses adopting the use of cloud services, according to findings from the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI). Ireland currently serves as a hub for some of the largest names in technology, with the country offering a strong digital infrastructure, Tier 1 high-speed, low-latency digital connectivity to the U.S., UK, and EU and ongoing investment in digital infrastructure.
Despite being an island nation, Ireland boasts exceptional transport connections. The country's strategic location, EU membership and global ties offer quick and efficient transport links to major markets from Europe to the UK and North America, facilitating ease of travel for skilled talent and the efficient movement of goods.
Passengers looking to travel to the UK or mainland Europe can choose to do so by either plane or ferry, with Irish airports facilitating travel to a range of destinations across Europe and the UK daily, and ferries operating from the country's ports to the UK, France and Spain.
Ireland is also home to Europe's largest airline, Ryanair, which is also the largest airline outside of the USA. The Dublin-headquartered company serves 113 destinations from Dublin and over 200 destinations across 33 countries in total, providing passengers with low-cost flight options across Europe and the UK.
Ireland's airports facilitate a multitude of flight options for passengers looking to travel from the Island of Ireland to mainland UK and other countries in the European Union. Amongst the busiest routes in Europe in 2024 was Dublin to London's Heathrow airport, which figures compiled by aviation data consultancy OAG found to be the second busiest air route operated in Europe, with the flight time from Dublin to London taking approximately 1 hour.
Outside of Europe, Irish airports offer a number of direct routes to airports in the Middle East, Canada and the USA. The country's national airline, Aer Lingus, is amongst the airlines offering direct route services from Ireland to Canada and the USA.
In 2009, Shannon Airport in the west of Ireland became the world's first airport outside of the Americas to implement United States Customs and Border Protection Preclearance (CBP) for passengers. This allowed passengers travelling from Ireland to the USA to complete their immigration process prior to departing Ireland, allowing passengers to avoid lengthy queues for immigration upon their arrival in the U.S. In 2011, Dublin Airport opened up a dedicated U.S preclearance facility. Currently, Ireland's Dublin and Shannon airports are two of only fifteen airports across the globe that offer U.S. preclearance for passengers outside of the Americas.
Diversity & innovation:
Ireland is also well-regarded for its diversity of industries and for its vibrant ecosystem of research, development, and innovation. The country ranks among the top 20 countries in the Global Innovation Index and within the top 15 for innovation outputs globally.
The country is also home to 16 of the top 20 global technology companies and 14 of the top 15 medical technology and pharmaceutical firms, according to IDA Ireland: the Irish Government's inward investment promotion agency. Beyond the technology and pharmaceutical sectors, Ireland has a dynamic presence across various sectors, from finance to agriculture, engineering, and sustainability. Ireland is also a global leader in the aircraft leasing sector, boasting a 65% share of the international market. The country is home to over 50 aircraft leasing firms, including 14 of the top 15 firms worldwide. This small country leads the way globally in this competitive sector, with estimations suggesting that an aircraft leased from Ireland takes off every two seconds worldwide.
The workforce is equally diverse, with professionals from across the globe choosing Ireland as their base due to the inclusive culture and professional opportunities.
Quality of life:
Ireland ranks well in terms of quality of life across areas such as education, employment, social engagement, community and life satisfaction, according to the OECD. The country also ranked 17th globally in the most recent World Happiness Report, placing the country above many of its European counterparts.
Ireland is also a very attractive country for skilled contract professionals due to competitive rates and the wide range of opportunities on offer across sectors. According to a recent article in The Irish Times, highly skilled independent and self-employed contractors in Ireland are earning significantly more than their employee counterparts.
The article cited a recent report which drew upon earnings data from the CSO (Central Statistics Office), which found that independent and self-employed contractors with in-demand skills & high levels of expertise earn approximately 61% more than those working as employees in equivalent roles.
Access to a diverse talent pool:
Ireland is home to a young, educated, and multilingual workforce. According to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), more than half a million Irish residents are fluent in a second language, while English remains the dominant language of business.
The country's universities rank among the top globally, producing a consistent pipeline of high-calibre graduates. This makes Ireland a reliable location for sourcing skilled professionals in IT, life sciences, finance, and beyond. Its multicultural environment also supports global teams, creating a smooth transition for internationally mobile contractors and staff.
Favourable business environment:
Ireland is a recognised leader in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and is the second-largest exporter of pharmaceuticals globally.
In a March 2025 interview with CNBC, IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan discussed the country's unique value proposition for foreign direct investment and its importance in the global business community. Lohan highlighted that Ireland is a real gateway to Europe and beyond for international companies and values its strong ties with countries like the USA. During the interview, Lohan highlighted that the total FDI exports from Ireland account for just over 420 billion euros, 85% of which is outside of North America, serving European and other global markets, thus emphasising the international value of FDI exports from the western European country.
As a member of the European Single Market and the eurozone, alongside its strong global ties, organisations in Ireland can benefit from its strong trading environment and protections. Additionally, with its favourable business environment and regulatory system, renowned for its transparency, fairness, and consistency, Ireland continues to draw international business and investment despite global uncertainties.
Growing opportunity amid global uncertainty:
Despite the recent global economic uncertainty, companies are still keen to invest in Ireland and create jobs across a range of industries. Recently, U.S. Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic has unveiled its plans for 100 new jobs across Dublin and London in pursuit of growing its base in Europe. They are not the only international firms that have announced the creation of jobs in the country. Recently, Norwegian energy company DNV announced the creation of 200 new jobs in Ireland and Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that they are to establish a new Dublin office, creating 100 new jobs, and health information technology giant Datavant announced that they are to open its global R&D centre in Galway, creating over 100 new jobs. The country has also committed to investing in enterprise with the announcement of a new sustainability accelerator programme funded by Enterprise Ireland and run by Co. Wexford-based GreenTech HQ, poised to deliver over 300 new jobs.
These recent announcements suggest that despite global uncertainty, international businesses are still keen to invest and establish a presence in Ireland, reaffirming the country's value to the global business community.
In conclusion:
Ireland's unique position as the only English-speaking Eurozone country, combined with its robust infrastructure, diverse workforce, and pro-innovation mindset, makes it an excellent location for businesses expanding their global footprint, recruiters looking to expand their global hiring strategy, and contract professionals seeking new opportunities. The small country of Ireland offers a strategic advantage alongside a wealth of benefits, making it a true gateway for global opportunity.
If you're looking to expand into the Irish market and hire/place contractors in Ireland, check out our recent guide: Hiring Contractors in Ireland: Everything You Need to Know!
Your trusted compliance partner in Ireland:
- Ready to take the next step in your global hiring journey?
- Looking to expand into a new market?
- Looking to embark on a contract opportunity in Ireland?
Whether you're a business looking to enter a new market, a recruiter aiming to broaden your international strategy, or a contract professional looking to work abroad, 3C Global Group is your go-to partner.
We specialise in global compliance and international contractor hiring & compliance, offering tailored support to ensure you stay compliant and competitive.
We offer a wide range of services, including:
- An Irish Employer of Record (EOR) solution.
- Global Payment Solutions (GPS)
- Employer of Record (EOR)
- Agent of Record (AOR)
- Labour Leasing in Germany (AÜG/ANU)
- International Contractor Management (ICM)
- International Contractor Compliance Audit (ICCA)
- Advisory, Consulting & Training (ACT)
Our services are meticulously designed to remove potential risks and uncertainties associated with launching new projects, allowing all parties to focus on their core business objectives, knowing that their contracts and practices are fully compliant.
Get in touch today and discover how we can help you unlock new opportunities from Ireland to the rest of Europe.
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