Sport and Cultural Employment Permit
Sport and Cultural Employment Permits are designed for employment in the State of non-EEA nationals with the relevant qualifications, skills, experience or knowledge for the development, operation and advancement of sporting and cultural activities.
Sport and Cultural Employment Permit
Either the non-EEA national or the employer may apply for a Sport and Cultural Employment Permit and the permit is issued to the foreign national, and a certified copy is sent to the employee, which permits his or her employment in the State, by the employer, in the occupation and location/s specified on the permit.
Sport and Cultural Employment Permits may be issued for different periods depending on whether the contract of employment is full-time up to a maximum limit of 2 years, or seasonal.

Eligibility Criteria
The prospective employee must possess the relevant skills, qualifications and experience for the role and be paid in line with national minimum wage or higher.
Eligibility Criteria
- Registered with the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland/Companies Registration Office
- Maintains a 50/50 EEA – non-EEA staff ratio
- Commits to pay the employee in accordance with Minimum Annual Remuneration as applicable
Deploy non-EEA employees to Ireland under a service contract
Best for:
Overseas companies delivering contracted services to Irish business
Key Benefits:
- Enables cross-border service delivery
- Maintain foreign employers relationship
- Fully compliant with DETE regulations
Important:
- Must meet strict contract and salary conditions
Understand contract eligibility rules
Return to legal employment status in Ireland after permit lapse
Best for:
Non-EEA workers who previously held a valid employment permit
Key Benefits:
- Regain lawful work status
- Avoid restarting the process from zero
- Preserve career continuity in Ireland
Check if you qualify for reactivation
Work in Ireland’s sports, arts, and cultural sectors
Best for:
Athletes, coaches, performers, and cultural professionals
Key Benefits:
- Supports Ireland’s cultural and sporting development
- Tailored for niche and specialist roles
- Enables participations in events and organisations