The minimum salary for a professional footballer in Ireland has increased to €450, while a number of other welfare measures have been introduced.
PFA Ireland has agreed the steps following negotiations with the National League Committee, League of Ireland clubs, and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
All measures will be introduced for the 2026 season.
The new minimum wage measures have been optimised by age of the player as follows:
- Age 20 and over: €450, up from €430
- Age 19: €400, up from €380
- Age 18: €350, up from €330
- Age 17/16: €300, up from €280
While the vast majority of professional players earn more than the minimum wage, particularly when aged in their mid to late 20s, academy graduates in Ireland have often been offered lower terms.
That has begun to change and the minimum salaries, introduced last year, have been seen as a protection for young players.
Meanwhile part-time players must now only have to train a maximum of three sessions plus one match per week.
All Premier Division clubs are professional, with a minimum of 14 players required under the new guidelines introduced, but the new rules could impact some First Division sides that employ part-time footballers.
If clubs require four sessions plus a match, a higher minimum applies — starting at €160 weekly for players aged 20+.
In a significant change to the Women’s Participation Agreement, no retention regulations or compensation will apply in the Women’s Premier Division.
This will allow more freedom of movement of players and removes a significant barrier to players signing professional contracts in the Women’s Premier Division.
Professional deals have been slow to materialise within the women's game.
It will be reviewed if FIFA introduce training compensation in the women’s game.
A guaranteed 14-day off-season blackout period is now mandatory within the game.
The UEFA Conference League has extended the season for the likes of Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne. While they would have been likely to observe such a break, the rule has been agreed for clarity.
Clubs must also now pay medical providers directly for player treatment, ensuring players bear no financial responsibility.
Compassionate leave for bereavement has been increased to five days when travel abroad is required.
"This agreement is a positive move for Irish professional football," said Stephen McGuinness, general secretary of PFA Ireland.
"We’ve secured meaningful improvements in pay, welfare, and working conditions for players across both men’s and women’s leagues.
"The introduction of training limits for part-time players and the removal of retention rules in the women’s game are critical steps toward fairness and professionalism.
"Next season, we will continue our discussions with clubs and the league to push for improvements around insurance for career-ending injuries and the introduction of academy contracts, amongst many other outstanding issues that affect players."
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