Last updated: 7 November 2026 | Checked against Citizens Information (minimum wage, updated 9 October 2026; young workers, 11 August 2026; public holidays) and the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) pages on stamps and student work.
Christmas jobs in Ireland are short, flexible roles in shops, warehouses, delivery, cafes and events. Finding one is the easy part. The harder part is knowing what you are owed and whether you are allowed to take the job.
This guide covers minimum pay by age, hours, public holiday pay and which immigration stamps let you work. We do not copy employer adverts or hourly rates here, because they change every day. For adverts we checked on 1 November, see our guide to jobs for 14, 15 and 16-year-olds and Christmas jobs.
Quick answer
- Minimum pay in 2026: €14.15 an hour for ages 20 and over, €12.74 at 19, €11.32 at 18 and €9.91 under 18.
- Public holidays: 25 December, 26 December and 1 January. If you work one, you are entitled to an extra day’s pay or an alternative your employer offers.
- Non-EU students on Stamp 2: up to 40 hours a week from 15 December to 15 January, and 20 hours a week in term time.
- Under 16: light work only. At 14 and 15 you can do up to 7 hours a day and 35 hours a week in school holidays.
- Before you apply: check the stamp in your passport. Stamps 0, 2A and 3 do not allow work.
Christmas Jobs in Ireland: Key Facts (2026)
| Item | What the official source says |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage, age 20 and over | €14.15 an hour (Citizens Information) |
| Minimum wage, under 18 | €9.91 an hour, 70% of the adult rate |
| Public holidays this season | 25 December, 26 December 2026 and 1 January 2027 |
| Part-time workers and holiday pay | You qualify if you worked at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks before the holiday |
| Maximum hours, 16 and 17 years | 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week |
| Student work (Stamp 2) | 20 hours a week in term, 40 hours a week from 15 December to 15 January |
| Employment permit needed? | Not for Irish, EU/EEA, Swiss and British citizens or for Stamp 4 holders. Stamp 1 holders need a permit. |
What Is the Minimum Pay for a Christmas Job?
Every Christmas employer must pay at least the national minimum wage for your age. These are the rates in force since 1 January 2026, according to Citizens Information.
| Your age | Minimum hourly rate | Share of adult rate |
|---|---|---|
| 20 and over | €14.15 | 100% |
| 19 | €12.74 | 90% |
| 18 | €11.32 | 80% |
| Under 18 | €9.91 | 70% |
These are legal floors, not typical rates. Many retailers advertise more, so read the pay line in each advert. Citizens Information says Budget 2027 will raise the rate for ages 20 and over to €14.94 from 1 January 2027, which needs legislation. See our minimum wage Ireland guide for what counts towards the minimum and how to work out your weekly pay.
To see what a Christmas wage looks like after tax, use our salary calculator for Ireland.
Who Can Work in Ireland at Christmas?
Your right to work depends on your citizenship and the stamp on your immigration permission. Irish, EU/EEA, Swiss and British citizens do not need an employment permit. Everyone else should check their stamp before accepting an offer. The table below follows the ISD guide to immigration stamps.
| Stamp | Can you work? |
|---|---|
| Stamp 4 | Yes. You can take up employment without an employment permit. See our Stamp 4 guide. |
| Stamp 2 (student) | Casual work only: up to 20 hours a week in term and 40 hours a week in holiday periods. You cannot run a business or trade. |
| Stamp 1G (graduate) | Yes, full time under employment law. You cannot be self-employed. See jobs in Ireland after a master’s. |
| Stamp 1 | Only with an employment permit, or where an ISD letter says none is needed. See our Stamp 1 guide. |
| Stamp 0, 2A and 3 | No. Work is not permitted. |
A Christmas job on the wrong stamp can put your permission at risk, so ask ISD or your local immigration office if you are unsure. For the wider picture, read our guide to jobs in Ireland for foreigners.
Students: the 40-hour holiday rule
ISD says students on Stamp 2 can work up to 40 hours a week during June, July, August and September, and from 15 December to 15 January. In term time the limit is 20 hours a week. You must be registered on student conditions and enrolled in a full-time daytime programme on the list of eligible programmes. Part-time and distance courses do not qualify. Source: ISD student FAQ.
The 40-hour week does not start until 15 December. Before that date, your Christmas shifts count towards the 20-hour term-time limit.
Christmas Jobs for Under-18s: Hours and Rules
The rules for young workers are strict. If you are 14 or 15, only light work is allowed. In school holidays that means no more than 7 hours a day and 35 hours a week. If you are 16 or 17, the limit is 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. Source: Citizens Information.
- Night work: under 16s may not work before 8am or after 8pm. At 16 and 17 you generally may not work before 6am or after 10pm.
- Breaks: under 16s get a 30-minute break after 4 hours. At 16 and 17 it is a 30-minute break after 4½ hours.
- Rest: 2 days off a week for both age groups.
Employers cannot employ anyone under 16 in a regular full-time job. Our teen jobs guide explains parental consent and proof of age. If you have never worked before, start with our guide to jobs in Ireland with no experience.
Do You Get Extra Pay on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day?
The public holidays this season are 25 December, 26 December 2026 and 1 January 2027. What you are owed depends on whether you work that day. The rules below come from Citizens Information.
- You must qualify first. As a part-time or seasonal worker, you need at least 40 hours worked in the 5 weeks before the holiday.
- You work on the holiday. You are entitled to an extra day’s pay. Your employer may offer an alternative instead: a paid day off on the holiday, an extra day of annual leave, an extra day’s pay or a paid day off within a month.
- The holiday falls on a day you normally work, but you do not work it. You are paid for the day.
- It is not a day you normally work. You get one fifth of your weekly pay.
If you want an alternative, you can request it at least 21 days before the holiday. If your employer does not reply at least 14 days before, you are entitled to take the actual holiday as a paid day off. For dates and more detail, see our bank holidays Ireland guide.
Where to Look for Christmas Jobs
Apply on the employer’s own careers page where you can, because that is where the full advert, rate of pay and closing date appear. These are official careers pages for employers that often hire for the festive season:
- Tesco careers
- Penneys (Primark) careers
- Marks & Spencer jobs
- Boots Ireland jobs
- Smyths Toys careers
- McDonald’s careers
For many employers in one place, search Christmas jobs on JobsIreland, the State’s free jobs site, or IrishJobs. Living in the capital? See our jobs in Dublin guide.
How to Apply for a Christmas Job: 5 Steps
- Check your right to work. Use the stamp table above, and ask ISD if you are unsure.
- Read the advert. Look for the hourly rate, hours a week, end date and closing date.
- Apply on the official careers page. Keep your CV to one page. Our Irish CV format guide shows how.
- Get a PPS number. You need one to start work. See our PPS number guide.
- Get the terms in writing. Confirm your rate, hours and finish date before your first shift.
Never pay anyone to get a job offer. A genuine employer does not charge you to apply, to start work or for a background check.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage for a Christmas job in Ireland in 2026?
It depends on your age. The national minimum wage is €14.15 an hour for ages 20 and over, €12.74 at 19, €11.32 at 18 and €9.91 under 18. Many employers advertise more, so check the pay in each advert.
Can I work at Christmas in Ireland on a student visa?
Yes, if you hold Stamp 2 and are on a full-time daytime programme on the eligible list. ISD allows up to 20 hours a week in term and up to 40 hours a week from 15 December to 15 January.
Do I need an employment permit for a Christmas job?
Irish, EU/EEA, Swiss and British citizens do not. Stamp 4 holders can work without a permit. Stamp 1 holders need one, or an ISD letter saying it is not needed. Stamps 0, 2A and 3 do not allow work.
Can a 15-year-old get a Christmas job in Ireland?
Only light work. At 14 and 15 you can work up to 7 hours a day and 35 hours a week in school holidays, never before 8am or after 8pm. Employers cannot employ under 16s in regular full-time jobs.
Do I get extra pay for working on Christmas Day?
Yes, if you qualify. Part-time workers need 40 hours worked in the 5 weeks before the holiday. If you work on a public holiday you are entitled to an extra day’s pay, or an alternative your employer offers such as a paid day off.
What are the public holidays over Christmas 2026?
25 December (Christmas Day), 26 December (St Stephen’s Day) and 1 January 2027 (New Year’s Day).
Do I need a PPS number for a Christmas job?
You need one to start work so your employer can register you with Revenue. If you do not have one, apply as soon as you have a job offer or a start date.
How do I avoid Christmas job scams?
Apply on the employer’s own careers page and never pay to get a job, an interview, a uniform or a background check. If an advert only gives a messaging app contact and no company details, do not send documents.
Conclusion
A Christmas job pays at least the national minimum wage for your age, with extra rights on public holidays. Check your stamp, read the advert and apply on the employer’s own site. For more routes into work, start with our guide to how to get a job in Ireland.
Official Sources
- Citizens Information: Minimum wage
- Citizens Information: Working hours and rest breaks for young people
- Citizens Information: Public holidays
- ISD: Immigration permission stamps
- ISD: Frequently asked questions for students
- Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Employment permits
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