EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-63996) and in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-39925, 33-93662, 333-15823, 333-71881, 333-88203 and 333-107899) of Atmel Corporation of our report dated March 16, 2006 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Jose, California
March 16, 2006