Ireland vs United Kingdom — Tax Comparison 2026
Ireland: 0%–40% across 3 brackets. United Kingdom: 0%–45% across 5 brackets. Compare take-home pay side by side for employees and contractors.
At $100,000 equivalent income, an employee in Ireland takes home $68,089 vs $72,171 in United Kingdom. For contractors, take-home is $67,436 in Ireland compared to $73,720 in United Kingdom.
Estimates based on 2026 rates and approximate exchange rates. Actual take-home varies by individual circumstances.
USD amounts use approximate exchange rates (EUR: 1.1585, GBP: 1.3423). Local currency figures are exact.
| Metric | Ireland | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Gross (EUR/GBP) | €86,316 | £74,496 |
| Gross (USD) | $100,000 | $99,999 |
| Income Tax | €21,726 | £17,230 |
| Social Security | €5,818 | £3,501 |
| Net (EUR/GBP) | €58,772 | £53,765 |
| Net (USD) | $68,089 | $72,171+$4,082 |
| Effective Rate | 31.9% | 27.8% |
Gross (EUR/GBP)
Ireland
€86,316
United Kingdom
£74,496
Gross (USD)
Ireland
$100,000
United Kingdom
$99,999
Income Tax
Ireland
€21,726
United Kingdom
£17,230
Social Security
Ireland
€5,818
United Kingdom
£3,501
Net (EUR/GBP)
Ireland
€58,772
United Kingdom
£53,765
Net (USD)
Ireland
$68,089
United Kingdom
$72,171
+$4,082Effective Rate
Ireland
31.9%
United Kingdom
27.8%
Where identifiable, mandatory health contributions are shown separately. For other countries, health coverage is included in the Social Security amount.
Bottom Line
At $100,000/year income
United Kingdom gives you $4,082 more per year ($340/mo) as an employee
United Kingdom gives you $6,284 more per year ($524/mo) as a contractor
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How Taxes Work
Ireland Tax System
Employee
- ·Income tax: 20%/40% (standard rate band €44,000 for single person).
- ·Tax credits (Personal €2,000 + PAYE €2,000 = €4,000) modeled as 0% bracket on first €20,000.
- ·USC: 0.5%/2%/3%/8% on tiered bands.
- ·PRSI Class A: blended 4.2375% (2026), exempt below €352/week (~€18,304/yr).
- ·Married/civil partner rates not included.
Contractor
- ·Same income tax brackets.
- ·Tax credits (Personal €2,000 + Earned Income €2,000 = €4,000) modeled as 0% bracket on first €20,000.
- ·USC: 0.5%/2%/3%/8% + 3% surcharge above €100,000 for self-employed.
- ·PRSI Class S: blended 4.2375% (minimum €650/yr, not enforced here).
- ·No business expense deduction modeled.
United Kingdom Tax System
Employee
- ·Income tax: 20%/40%/45% with £12,570 personal allowance.
- ·Allowance tapers £1 per £2 above £100k (effective 60% rate on £100k–£125,140).
- ·NI Class 1: 8% on £12,570–£50,270, 2% above (no cap).
- ·Frozen through 2027/28.
Contractor
- ·Same income tax and PA taper.
- ·NI Class 4: 6% on £12,570–£50,270, 2% above (no cap).
- ·£1,000 trading allowance.
- ·Frozen through 2027/28.
Full Ireland Tax Calculator →
Detailed breakdown with custom income
Full United Kingdom Tax Calculator →
Detailed breakdown with custom income
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do UK and Irish taxes compare for remote workers?
- ·Ireland has 20% (up to EUR 44,000) and 40% above, plus USC and PRSI.
- ·The UK has 20%/40%/45% with National Insurance.
- ·The UK has a hidden 60% marginal rate in the GBP 100-125K band.
- ·Ireland's overall system is more predictable.
- ·At most income levels, effective rates are similar.
Is it cheaper to be a contractor in the UK or Ireland?
- ·UK self-employed pay lower National Insurance (Class 2 flat + Class 4 at 6%/2%) compared to Irish self-employed PRSI at 4% plus full USC.
- ·The UK's lower NI rates make self-employment cheaper there.
- ·However, Ireland's lower top tax threshold means employees might pay less at moderate incomes.
Can I work remotely across the UK-Ireland border?
- ·Post-Brexit, the Common Travel Area still allows free movement between UK and Ireland.
- ·However, tax residency rules differ.
- ·You're typically taxed where you work.
- ·The Ireland-UK tax treaty prevents double taxation.
- ·Both countries have similar tax years (April for UK, January for Ireland).