The Return Home: Could now be the right time?

If you’re an Irish professional living abroad and thinking about moving home, you’re not alone.

More and more people are making the same decision — bringing back global experience, new perspectives, and a renewed desire to settle and grow their careers in Ireland.

Driven by family ties, better opportunities at home, and the rising cost of living overseas, thousands of Irish professionals are returning each year.

And with demand for skilled people higher than ever, the timing has never been better to make your move.

TOP STATS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

The Numbers Behind the Trend

The Returners

 – Over 30,000 Irish nationals returned home in the year to April 2024 – a 17% year-on-year increase (CSO Ireland). 

 – Returners are typically in their 30s, bringing 10+ years of international experience across sectors like construction, engineering, tech, and finance.  

 – Economist John FitzGerald, Irish Times, notes a common pattern: “Many young Irish people emigrate in their twenties and return in their thirties. Returnees often bring with them valuable international experience, enhanced skill sets, and a strong desire to settle and progress their careers in Ireland” (Irish Times). 

  – Returners typically earn 10% more than those who never left, reflecting the value of international experience.

The Market 

 – Ireland is near full employment (CSO). Unemployment stands at just 4.0%, well below the EU average of 6.1%.  

 – Shortages are most acute in Construction, Nursing, Engineering, Accounting, and Software Development

(Labour Market Monitor Q2 2025).

 – 13% of Irish job seeker interest came from abroad in 2024(Indeed). This is a record high. Applications for work permits also hit a record high last year, with 39,390 permits issued (+27% yoy).  6,500 of these permits were in the IT and Comms tech area.  

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Finance & Accounting: A Global Edge at Home

In forecasting trends for 2025, the IFSC.ie expects a sustained influx of expats returning to Ireland.

In finance, returners bring a competitive edge through:

– Exposure to global regulatory environments (London, North America).

– Expertise in financial planning, audit, risk, compliance, and reporting.

– The ambition to join growing Irish firms and contribute long-term.

With mid-to-senior roles in high demand, your international background could allow you to step in quickly, minimise training time, and make an immediate impact.

Why Are People Coming Back?

From our conversations with candidates (and backed by market data), four motivators consistently come up:

 1. Family & Lifestyle – raising children closer to extended family, enjoying a better balance at home.

 2. Rising Costs Abroad – high housing and childcare costs in cities like London, Sydney, and San Francisco are driving decisions to return.

 3. Improved Opportunities in Ireland – Ireland’s economy is strong, with competitive salaries and growing career prospects across sectors.

 4. Remote & Hybrid Work – flexibility makes the transition easier and opens more doors for returners.

Construction: Skills Gaps Meet Global Experience 

Ireland’s construction sector is facing a major shortage of skilled professionals. That means an opportunity for returners with global project experience.

We’re seeing strong demand for:

– Engineers and Quantity Surveyors returning from the UK, Australia, Canada, and the Middle East.

– Site Managers and Safety Officers with large-scale project expertise.

– Civil and Structural Engineers looking to return for family and quality-of-life reasons.

If you have international construction experience, your skills are highly valued. Employers are eager to hire professionals who can lead and deliver from day one.

Poll Results: Why Our Community Says They’re Returning

We asked our LinkedIn network: What’s the main reason you (or others you know) are choosing to return home to Ireland for work?

👨‍👩‍👧 Family & friends – 41%

💼 Career opportunities – 26%

🌍 Quality of life – 20%

💻 Remote/hybrid – 13%

These results reflect what we hear in conversations with candidates every week – that family comes first, but career prospects and lifestyle are also major factors in the decision. Interestingly, while only 13% said remote/hybrid was the main driver, it often acts as an enabler for those motivated by family or lifestyle, making the move feel more achievable and sustainable.

WHAT THE RETURNERS ARE SAYING:  

Next Steps

Ireland is at full employment, employers are actively looking for skills, and demand is especially strong in construction, finance, engineering, and IT. If you’ve been thinking about moving home, this is a great time to take the next step.

At E-Frontiers, we work every day with Irish professionals planning their return from London, Sydney, Toronto, New York, and beyond. We’d love to help make your move smoother and connect you with opportunities where your skills will be valued.

👉 Thinking of returning? Get in touch — your next career move could be waiting in Ireland.

Contact us today for advice  – Alexandra Pop – Recruitment Operations Manager – alexandra.pop@e-frontiers.ie

Need help finding skilled returners for your business?
E-Frontiers is actively working with Irish candidates planning their move back home and has recruiters on the ground across the UK, EU, and the USA.