Voice Over Rates in Ireland:What to expect in 2026
Voice Over Rates in Ireland: What to Expect in 2026
One of the most common questions clients ask when commissioning a voice over is:
“How much does it cost?”
The honest answer is that professional voice over pricing depends on several factors — including the type of project, usage, turnaround time and recording requirements.
A short internal corporate narration will be priced very differently to a national advertising campaign or long-form eLearning project.
Understanding how voice over pricing works helps companies budget accurately, compare quotes properly and ensure they’re licensing audio correctly for their intended use.
What Affects Voice Over Rates in Ireland?
Voice over pricing is not one-size-fits-all. Several factors determine what you will pay, and understanding them helps you budget accurately and get the best value from your project.
The main factors that influence voice over rates in Ireland include:
Basic Studio Fee or BSF:
Most professional voice over projects include a Basic Studio Fee (BSF), sometimes referred to as a session fee.
This covers:
the voice actor’s recording time
use of a professional broadcast-quality studio
script preparation
editing and file delivery
standard internal usage
minor revisions (generally one minor revision is included, however any script changes require a fee based on percentage of script edited)
In Ireland, professional BSFs commonly begin from approximately €200–€300 depending on the complexity and requirements of the project.
Larger commercial campaigns, broadcast advertising and international usage are quoted separately.
Script length and word count. A 30-second radio advert costs significantly more than a 60-minute eLearning module due to usage rights (broadcasting license) even though it has a lower word count. Most professional voice over artists, including Patricia Crosbie, price by the usage license (see below) and finished minute or by word count for longer projects.
Usage and licensing. Where and how long the recording will be used matters. A voice over for an internal training video costs less than one broadcast on national television or used in a global digital campaign. Usage rights are a standard part of voice over pricing worldwide. If the audio is used for commercial profit on air, fees are added for the station, region, and duration. A 30-second spot on a national station can cost thousands, while local ads are cheaper but still include usage fees. Licensing is priced on a 3 month, 6 month, yearly basis or a perpetual buy out but this can be quite expensive. If licensing year on year, industry standard would guide a 10% increase on initial fee each year.
Project type. Commercial work (TV, radio, online adverts) typically commands higher rates than non-broadcast work (eLearning, corporate narration, IVR). This reflects the reach and commercial value of the final content.
Turnaround time. Standard delivery is usually 48 hours. If you need a same-day or overnight turnaround, a rush fee may apply. Planning ahead helps keep costs down.
Revisions and editing. Most quotes include one reasonable revision for a small number of changes or a short demo before to clarify tone and pacing . Major script changes after recording may incur additional costs, so having a finalised script and an agreed tone and pace, before the session is always recommended.
How Much Does Voice Over Cost by Project Type?
To give you a practical sense of pricing, here is an overview of typical starting voice over rates in Ireland by project type. These figures reflect industry standards for a professional, experienced artist recording from a broadcast-quality studio.
Corporate Narration — From €300
Online Advertising — From €300
Radio Advertising — From €300 + usage
TV Commercials — Custom quote depending on usage
eLearning — Quoted by finished minute or hour
IVR / Telephony — From €150
Audiobooks — Quoted per finished hour
Rates vary depending on script length, licensing, usage, turnaround time and recording requirements. Most professional voice over artists provide custom quotes based on the specific needs of the project.
How Do Irish Voice Over Rates Compare Internationally?
Ireland sits competitively within the European and international voice over market. Rates are generally comparable to UK pricing and offer strong value compared to US rates, particularly for European projects that need a native English-speaking artist.
Many international brands , choose Irish voice over artists for their warm, neutral accent that works well across global audiences. Patricia Crosbie regularly records for clients across Ireland, the UK, Europe, the US, and beyond, delivering broadcast-quality audio from her professional Dublin studio.
For European Union and government projects, working with an Ireland-based artist can also simplify procurement, especially for institutions that prefer EU-based suppliers.
What Is Included in a Voice Over Quote?
When you receive a quote from a professional voice over artist, it should be clear about what is and is not included. A transparent quote avoids surprises and helps you budget with confidence.
A typical voice over quote from Patricia Crosbie includes:
Studio recording. All recording takes place in Patricia's professional home studio a Demvox Eco 200, equipped with broadcast-standard equipment. There is no need to book an external studio.
Audio editing and mastering. Raw recordings are edited, cleaned, and mastered to the required specifications. This includes removing breaths, clicks, and background noise, and delivering files at the correct levels. Raw audio can also be provided on request.
File delivery. Files are delivered in your preferred format — WAV, MP3, AIFF, or others — via secure file transfer, usually within 24–48 hours.
Revisions. A reasonable number of minor revisions are included in the quote. If the script changes significantly after recording, this may be quoted separately.
Usage rights are discussed upfront so there are no surprises. Patricia Crosbie is known for clear, straightforward pricing — the quote you receive is the price you pay.
Vat. If your company is VAT registered and within the European Union then VAT does not need to be added to the quote. If you are not VAT registered then there is a charge of 21% added to the quote.
How Can You Get the Best Value from Your Voice Over Budget?
Getting good value does not mean finding the cheapest option. It means working efficiently with a professional who delivers high-quality results on time. Here are some practical tips:
Finalise your script before recording. The single biggest cost driver for revisions is script changes after the recording session. A locked script means fewer pickup sessions and lower overall cost.
Provide a clear brief. Include details about tone, pace, target audience, and how the voice over will be used. This helps the artist deliver the right performance in fewer takes. If you need guidance on writing a brief, Patricia Crosbie can help — or you can read her guide to writing a voice over brief on this blog.
Bundle related projects. If you have multiple scripts or ongoing projects, discuss this with your voice over artist. Many professionals, including Patricia Crosbie, offer favourable rates for long-term or multi-project partnerships. Clients such as Laya Healthcare and the EU Commission benefit from this approach.
Plan ahead. Avoiding rush fees is the easiest way to stay on budget. Most voice over artists can turn around projects within 48 hours under standard timelines.
Why Should You Avoid the Cheapest Voice Over Option?
It can be tempting to choose the lowest quote, especially when budgets are tight. However, voice over is one area where quality directly affects your brand perception.
A poorly recorded or unconvincing voice over can undermine the credibility of your video, advert, or training module. Common issues with low-cost providers include background noise, inconsistent audio levels, poor pronunciation, and a lack of emotional range.
Professional voice over artists like Patricia Crosbie invest in high-quality studio equipment, acoustic treatment, and ongoing training. They bring years of experience working with multi-national global ecommerce brands, prestigious companies such as KPMG, and Pfizer — experience that translates into polished, effective recordings that represent your brand at its best.
AI generated VO? This is genuinley a good option for some brands however, bare in mind, that the human ear responds strongly to nuance, rhythm and emotional variation. Those little pauses, while a person thinks and speaks, voice quirks and non uniform wave patterns are what sub consciously keeps us listening. While AI-generated voices continue to improve, many brands still prefer professional human voice actors for projects requiring trust, subtlety and authentic connection.
When comparing quotes, consider not just the price but what is included: studio quality, editing, revisions, turnaround time, and usage rights. The best value is a professional who gets it right the first time.
Why professional voice over is an investment
Professional voice over isn’t simply about having a pleasant voice. It’s about delivering a message clearly, naturally and in a way that reflects the tone and credibility of a brand.
The right voice can strengthen audience trust, improve engagement and elevate the overall quality of a project.
Patricia's Tip
"My advice to clients is always the same: invest the time in your script and emotional tone before we record. A polished script means we can focus entirely on performance — getting the tone, pace, and energy exactly right. It also keeps the project on budget, because we are not going back for costly re-records. I have worked with everyone from start-ups to global brands, and the best sessions always start with a strong, finalised script."
— Patricia Crosbie
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you have a finished script or just an idea, I'd love to hear about your project. I provide free, no-obligation quotes and typically respond within 2–3 hours during business hours.
You can request a quote through my contact page, or listen to my demo reels to hear how I sound across different project types.
About the Author
Patricia Crosbie is a professional Irish female voice over artist based in Dublin, Ireland. With a BA in Psychology from University College Dublin and an MSc in Advertising from Dublin Institute of Technology, she brings a unique understanding of communication and persuasion to every project. Her client list includes a global fintech company, a multi-national ecommerce company, an international audiobook platform and many others such as PayPal, Spotify, KPMG, Pfizer, Kerrygold. Patricia records from her professional studio for clients across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and worldwide.