Information notice: This article is general information based on publicly available sources from IMRO, PPI, and Irish copyright law (linked throughout). It is not legal advice, and it may not reflect your specific circumstances. If you are unsure, contact the relevant licensing body or a qualified adviser. Accuracy: Last reviewed on 2026-04-07. If you spot an error, email corrections@sonosfera.app.

Music Licence for Salons in Ireland: IMRO & PPI Explained

Irish salons need two music licences to play commercial background music: one from IMRO for songwriters and one from PPI for record labels. Together, this Dual Music Licence costs approximately €200 to €400 per year. Sonosfera eliminates both fees for about €23 per month with all licensing included.

Fast facts on Irish music licensing:

• Who needs it: Any Irish business playing recorded music where staff or clients can hear it.
• The biggest exception: You do not need IMRO or PPI if you exclusively play direct-licensed, royalty-free music.
• Legal basis: The Irish Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000.
• Enforcement: IMRO actively inspects businesses and pursues copyright infringement claims.

What is the difference between IMRO and PPI?

IMRO collects royalties for the songwriters and publishers who wrote the music. PPI collects royalties for the record labels and performers who recorded the track. If you play standard commercial music in Ireland, you must pay both organisations.

This dual-system catches many business owners off guard. You are paying for the composition (the lyrics and melody) and the physical recording of that composition. In Ireland, the two bodies often issue a combined Dual Music Licence to simplify the paperwork, but you are still paying two distinct fees.

If you are familiar with the UK system, the setup is identical. IMRO and PPI are the Irish equivalents of PRS and PPL in the UK. The underlying legal mechanism is the same across Europe under EU copyright directives.

How much does a music licence cost for a salon in Ireland?

A standard music licence for a small Irish salon costs between €200 and €400 annually. IMRO and PPI calculate your exact fee based on your salon's square footage, the number of employees, and how you transmit the audio.

You do not get a flat rate. The IMRO tariff structure scales up as your business grows. If you expand your floor space, add more treatment rooms, or put callers on hold with music, your annual bill increases. You are effectively taxed on your physical footprint.

Here is how the traditional licensing route compares to a direct-licensed alternative.

Can I play Spotify or Apple Music in my Irish salon?

No. Spotify and Apple Music are licensed strictly for personal, non-commercial use. Playing them in a public business breaches their terms of service and violates Irish copyright law unless you hold a separate commercial licence.

Many salon owners assume their €11.99 monthly Spotify Premium subscription covers them for business use. It does not. Spotify explicitly states in its terms that the service cannot be broadcast in commercial spaces.

Even if you pay IMRO and PPI for a public performance licence, using a personal Spotify account to actually play the music remains a breach of Spotify's own contract. We covered the exact mechanics of why Spotify is not licensed for salon use in our UK guide, and the exact same contractual restrictions apply in Ireland.

What happens if I play music in my salon without an IMRO or PPI music licence?

Playing unlicensed music is copyright infringement under Irish law. IMRO inspectors actively visit businesses to check compliance. If caught, you face retrospective licensing fees, legal costs, and potential civil damages claims.

The enforcement process usually starts with letters and phone calls. If you ignore them, IMRO sends an inspector to your premises. They will document what music is playing and how it is being broadcast.

Once they confirm an infringement, they can demand backdated payments for the entire period your business has been trading without a licence. If you refuse to pay, the collecting societies have a long track record of taking Irish businesses to court for copyright infringement. The resulting legal fees dwarf the cost of the original licence.

Key takeaway: Ignoring letters from IMRO or PPI is a costly strategy. They have the legal authority to pursue civil action under the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000.

The Sonosfera Alternative: How to legally avoid IMRO and PPI fees in Ireland

You can legally avoid paying IMRO and PPI by exclusively playing direct-licensed music. Because the necessary public performance rights are cleared directly with the artists, the traditional collecting societies have no legal jurisdiction over your audio.

This is exactly what Sonosfera does. We built a background music service for salons and clinics that works outside the traditional collecting society system entirely.

Sonosfera costs €23 per month (approximately £19.99). That flat fee includes the music player, the curated salon playlists, and all the necessary legal rights. Because we license the music directly from the creators, you do not need an IMRO or PPI licence to play it.

You get the right atmosphere for your clients, and you stop paying an annual tax based on the square footage of your waiting room. Setup takes under five minutes through any web browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a music licence if I only play the radio in my salon? A: Yes. Playing a traditional radio broadcast in a public business still requires an IMRO and PPI licence. The radio station pays to broadcast the signal, but you must pay for the right to perform that signal publicly to your clients and staff.

Q: Does an Irish TV licence cover background music? A: No. Your TV licence only covers the possession of the television equipment. If you play music channels (like MTV) or leave the TV running on standard programming in your waiting area, you still need a Dual Music Licence for the audio.

Q: Who pays the music licence for a rented chair? A: The business owner operating the physical premises is generally responsible for securing the public performance licence. If you rent a chair in a larger salon, the salon owner should hold the IMRO/PPI licence that covers the entire audible area.

Q: Can I just use royalty-free music from YouTube? A: You can, but it carries risks. YouTube's standard terms of service prohibit commercial broadcast. While the music itself might be royalty-free, the platform you are using to play it is not licensed for business use. A dedicated business music service with clear legal rights provides the necessary paper trail if you are ever questioned.

Q: Are IMRO and PPI the same as PRS and PPL in the UK? A: Yes, they perform the exact same functions. IMRO is the Irish equivalent of PRS (composers and publishers), and PPI is the equivalent of PPL (record labels and performers). The legal requirements and enforcement tactics are nearly identical across both countries.

Stop risking an IMRO inspection. Start saving money. Try Sonosfera free for 14 days. €23/month (~£19.99). All licensing included. No card required.

About the author Sonosfera was founded by a UK salon owner who spent years dealing with the frustration of dual music licences, unexpected fee hikes, and aggressive inspectors. We built the platform to give small businesses in the UK and Ireland a simple, legal, and affordable way to play background music without dealing with collecting societies. This article is written from an operational perspective and cross-checked against official Irish copyright guidance. It is not legal advice.

Reviewed and updated

• Written: 2026-04-07
• Last reviewed: 2026-04-07
• Corrections: corrections@sonosfera.app