Microsoft is introducing new capabilities across Microsoft 365 plans, alongside pricing updates effective from 1 July 2026. These updates reflect added value in AI, security, and device management.
Microsoft is adjusting pricing across core commercial suites to reflect significant innovations in AI, security, and productivity. Explore how this impacts your Irish SME licensing strategy.
Below are the percentage increases impacting Irish SME core licenses. Business Premium remains at 0% adjustment, providing a significant opportunity for security consolidation.
| License SKU | Increase | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic | +16% | SME Entry Tier |
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard | +12% | Productivity Focused |
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium | 0% NO CHANGE | Highest Value Tier |
| Office 365 E3 | +13% | Enterprise Legacy |
| Microsoft 365 E3 | +8% | Full Enterprise Suite |
| Microsoft 365 E5 | +5% | Advanced Compliance |
With price increases hitting Standard and Basic tiers, Business Premium is now the most cost-effective path to modern security. Review why Premium is the benchmark for Irish SMEs.
As licensing costs adjust, the delta between "Standard" productivity and "Premium" security has narrowed significantly. For a marginal monthly difference, your business gains an enterprise-grade security stack that traditionally cost thousands as stand-alone additions.
| Core Capability | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Office Apps & Cloud Storage | ||
| Teams, Exchange & SharePoint | ||
| Defender for Business (EDR) | Included | |
| Intune Device Management | Included | |
| Conditional Access Policies | Included | |
| Advanced Phishing Protection | Included | |
| Windows AutoPilot Deployment | Included | |
| Azure Virtual Desktop Rights | Included |
Premium includes full End-Point Detection and Response (EDR) and Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) as standard.
Common questions for Irish business customers regarding the July 2026 update.
Microsoft is introducing new capabilities across Microsoft 365 plans, alongside pricing updates effective from 1 July 2026. These updates reflect added value in AI, security, and device management.
Pricing updates will apply from 1 July 2026, while new features and packaging changes will begin rolling out from June 2026.
No. If you are an existing customer, your pricing remains the same until your next renewal date.
Microsoft is increasing prices due to significant investment in:
These changes aim to deliver a more secure, AI-powered workplace by default.
Key additions across plans include:
Most commercial plans will see moderate price increases, though some plans may remain unchanged. Increases vary depending on the licence and region.
No. Pricing is adjusted by region and currency, so Irish businesses may see different final pricing compared to US pricing.
Not immediately. However, it is strongly recommended to:
Early planning can help avoid unnecessary cost increases and optimise your setup.
Microsoft continues to offer plans with and without Teams, particularly in Europe. Pricing and packaging may differ depending on your current setup.
Some AI-powered features are being expanded, but full Microsoft 365 Copilot functionality still requires a separate add-on licence for deeper integration across apps and data.
At IT.ie, we help Irish businesses:
Don't wait for your renewal to discover your new costs. Let our experts review your current tenant and identify the most cost-effective path forward.
Advanced security, management, and analytics for AI chat within the tenant.
Advanced URL and link checks across Outlook and Office apps (Web/Mobile).
Deep visibility into device health and performance across your distributed team.
Manage elevated permissions dynamically without compromising device security.
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