Dublin vs London Salary Calculator

At most tech salary ranges, Ireland has a slightly higher combined effective rate than the UK when you include USC and PRSI versus National Insurance. At €90,000 (roughly £76,000 at a 1.18 rate), an Irish employee pays approximately 40% effective rate across income tax, USC, and PRSI. A UK employee at the same gross in GBP pays roughly 33–36% across income tax and National Insurance. However, a direct comparison requires converting to the same currency and accounting for the fact that Dublin and London gross salaries for equivalent roles are often at different absolute levels.

USC (Universal Social Charge) is an additional Irish tax levied on gross income on top of income tax and PRSI. In 2026, the rates are 0.5% on the first €12,012, 2% from €12,012 to €25,760, 3% from €25,760 to €70,044, and 8% on income above €70,044. There is a surcharge of 11% on non-PAYE income above €100,000. USC is unique to Ireland and has no direct UK equivalent, which is why effective rates in Ireland are higher than they appear from income tax bands alone.

The calculator converts London net pay to EUR at a rate you can adjust. The default of 1.18 (1 GBP = 1.18 EUR) reflects approximate 2026 mid-market rates. The comparison is most useful when you have actual offers in both cities — enter the Dublin gross in EUR and the London gross in GBP, adjust the FX rate to a current figure, and the EUR-equivalent net tells you which offer puts more money in your account. Remember that a higher EUR-equivalent net does not mean higher purchasing power if London costs more to live in.

London gross salaries for equivalent tech roles tend to be 10–25% higher in GBP terms than Dublin equivalents in EUR, at current exchange rates. A mid-level software engineer in Dublin earns a median of roughly €80,000–€95,000; the equivalent London median in GBP is approximately £75,000–£90,000, which at a 1.18 rate equates to €88,000–€106,000. Senior and specialist roles in London (AI, quant, high-frequency trading adjacent) can command 30–40% more than Dublin equivalents. However, the net difference after tax is compressed because UK National Insurance is lower than Ireland's USC+PRSI combination.

Both cities are among the most expensive in Europe for accommodation. Dublin rents for city-centre one-bedroom flats average €2,000–€2,400/month in 2026; equivalent central London flats average £2,200–£2,800/month (€2,600–€3,300 at current rates). On a like-for-like basis, London accommodation typically costs 30–50% more than Dublin. Groceries, transport (Luas vs Tube), and dining are broadly similar, with London marginally higher across most categories. The net pay comparison needs to be weighed against this accommodation premium when making a relocation decision.

Ireland allows much higher pre-tax pension contributions as a percentage of net relevant earnings than the UK: 15% under age 30, scaling up to 40% for those aged 60 and over. A 40-year-old earning €100,000 can contribute up to 25% (€25,000/year) to a pension and claim tax relief at their marginal 40% rate, saving €10,000 in tax. UK pension annual allowance is £60,000 (2026/27) for most earners but relief is capped at your earnings. High earners in Ireland can shelter significantly more income than their UK counterparts, which is a meaningful advantage not visible in the take-home comparison above.

If you are a non-EEA national considering a move to Ireland, your Dublin offer salary must meet the DETE minimum threshold for a Critical Skills Employment Permit (€40,904 for degree holders in eligible occupations in 2026). This minimum is well below typical tech salaries, so it rarely affects the comparison for mid-to-senior roles. Non-EEA workers in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa face a similar minimum salary threshold (£38,700 for most roles in 2026). Use the Critical Skills Visa Checker linked below to verify your Dublin offer qualifies.

Above €70,044 in Ireland, USC increases to 8% on income above that threshold, in addition to the 40% income tax rate that applies above the standard rate cut-off point (€44,000 for a single person in 2026). PRSI is 4.1% on all PAYE income. This means the combined marginal rate for an Irish employee above €70,044 is 52.1% (40% income tax + 8% USC + 4.1% PRSI). In the UK, the 40% higher rate plus 2% NI gives a marginal rate of 42% above £50,270. This difference is most pronounced at salaries between €70,000 and €125,140.

If you have competing offers in both cities, the first step is to calculate the EUR-equivalent net from each using this calculator. Then subtract your estimated monthly accommodation cost from each net (Dublin rent vs London rent) to get a rough disposable income figure. If the Dublin net is within €500–€800/month of the London equivalent after accommodation, Dublin likely wins on lifestyle, pension flexibility, Critical Skills Permit access, and proximity to the rest of Europe. Above that gap, it becomes a more personal calculation depending on career trajectory, lifestyle preferences, and long-term plans.

Start with the net take-home from each offer in their native currency. Convert the London net to EUR using the current mid-market GBP/EUR rate (check Google or XE.com for the live rate). Compare the EUR figures side by side. Do not compare gross salaries across currencies: a £80,000 London salary is not directly comparable to a €80,000 Dublin salary because the tax treatment differs substantially. The net comparison is the only fair basis.