Written by David Bruton| Last Updated - 07/05/2024
Are you thinking of setting up a company in Ireland? Anyone looking to set up a company in Ireland needs to understand the Irish business landscape. Registering a company in Ireland may seem daunting, but with the right information and guidance, it can be a straightforward process that saves you time and money. It usually involves several key steps, from choosing a business structure to registering with the appropriate authorities. Our experienced team will be there to assist you at each stage of your Irish company formation.
When setting up a company in Ireland, it is essential to follow the necessary legal procedures. Setting up an Irish limited company allows for various tax benefits and access to the competitive economy.
Let us guide you through the most essential steps in the Irish Company Registration process:
1. Choose Your Business Structure:
Decide on the type of company you want to form, such as a private company limited by shares (LTD), a public limited company (PLC), or a partnership.
2. Company Name Registration:
You can select a unique name for your company and verify its availability with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
3. Registered Office:
Please make sure you have an official address in Ireland to receive documents related to your company. Nathan Trust can provide an official registered address in Cork or Dublin.
4. Directors and Shareholders:
Identify who will serve as the directors and shareholders of the company. You will need at least one director and one shareholder. If you don’t have an Irish resident director, you can apply for a Non-EEA Directors bond.
5. Company Secretary:
Appoint a company secretary responsible for upholding compliance with company law.
6. Memorandum and Articles of Association:
Prepare and register the company's memorandum and articles of association with the CRO.
7. Tax Registration:
Register your company for tax purposes with the Revenue Commissioners.
8. Employer Registration:
If you intend to hire employees, register as an employer with Revenue.
9. Bank Account:
Open a business bank account for your company. At Nathan Trust, we have helped hundreds of companies open business accounts through our leading bank partners in Ireland.
10. Licenses and Permits:
Depending on your business activities, you may need to secure licenses or permits from relevant authorities. We help our clients file the appropriate licenses too.
It's advisable to seek professional guidance to ensure compliance with legal requirements and optimise tax efficiency.
Here at Nathan Trust, we specialise in providing comprehensive cost-effective advice and solutions on all aspects of Company Law, Accounting, Tax, Company Secretarial Practice, and Corporate Governance, which allows you to plan, scale, and register your business in Ireland. The FAQs on this page will provide an overview of some essential things you need to know when registering a company in Ireland as a foreigner.
Below is a short video of members at Nathan Trust explaining some of the important questions involved in setting up a company in Ireland from abroad.
The price varies depending on the services you require. For setting up a limited company in Ireland, we always try to provide a competitive quote tailored to your individual needs. See below for our 2 most popular company set-up packages.
Standard Company Set Up Package:
What is included in the standard company setup package?
Company Incorporation
Registered Office address in Ireland
Annual Return
Company Secretary
UBO Register & AML
This is everything you need to kickstart and set up a limited company in Ireland.
Full Service Company Set Up Package - Bank & Tax Included:
What is included in the bank and tax company setup package?
Company Incorporation
Registered Office address in Ireland
Annual Return
Company Secretary
UBO Register & AML
Bank Account setup & AML
This company setup package includes everything you need to set up a limited company in Ireland, including your business bank account and Irish Corporation tax and VAT registrations.
It usually takes between 10-14 days, once anti-money laundering (AML) checks have been completed and signed documents are received.
For AML we require the following:
Please note that you will require a PPS number to incorporate a company in Ireland. If you don't have one, our team can apply for one on your behalf.
It's essential to plan your Irish Limited Company setup journey right from the very beginning. Save time and money by taking the help of Company experts.
No, your physical presence is not required in Ireland in order to incorporate a company. Signed application and identity documents can be sent by post in advance of your limited company setup. However, we always like to invite our clients to Dublin or Cork to meet us where possible.
No, limited company directors do not need to be residents of Ireland. However, there is a requirement for at least one of the company directors to be an EEA (European Economic Area) resident. The nationality of a potential director will not influence this requirement, it is based on residency. For instance, an Irish national (company Director) living in the United States cannot be the sole Director of the Irish company. Whilst, it is not a legal requirement, it is advisable to have an Irish based Director on the board of your company for tax residency purposes.
If you are one of the companies with no EEA resident Directors, we can provide you with a Section 137 non-EEA Directors bond or you can also avail of a Nominee Director service for Irish company registration. Our nominee directors are highly regarded in the company secretarial & compliance area by Ireland’s accounting and legal professionals.
The corporate tax rate for a limited company in Ireland is currently 12.5%, among the lowest in Europe. The low corporation tax rate has been one of the primary reasons why companies globally are interested in Ireland. As Directors and business owners, it is very important to know the tax rates before proceeding with any decision related to your Irish company. It is a good opportunity for businesses to save a lot of money on their tax bills as well as ensure they get the most out of their year-end revenue.
You might be able to avail of the 3-year Tax exemption for Startup limited companies in Ireland.
A recent study by PWC - "Paying Taxes 2020" - ranked Ireland in first place for the ease of paying taxes. Ireland has double tax treaties (DTA) with 73 countries.
Yuriy Andamasov, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at VyOS Inc.
We have worked with NathanTrust for more than two years (and don't plan to stop), and I can recommend Philip and his team to everyone who plans to do business in Ireland.
They are an exceptional multi-disciplinary team of professionals!
And to be more precise, here are just a few of the things they helped us with:
All the heavy lifting was done by NathanTrust, so for us at VyOS, it was almost effortless, and we could focus on other topics.
Our customers have given our services 
based on 33 reviews in 
Yes, a non-resident can start a company or business in Ireland. A lot of Irish companies have Directors who are not Irish residents. If the company does not have an EEA resident Director, then it needs a Non-EEA Directors Bond to be in place before the company can be set up. Please note that setting up a company in Ireland does not entitle you to Irish residency.
A non-resident director or shareholder can set up a business bank account in Ireland for an Irish limited company. We work with 2 digital banks, Revolut and Fire. Both banks have the same guarantees as traditional banks about the protection of funds. They have excellent online banking facilities and the accounts can be opened in 1-2 weeks.
We also work with the 2 traditional banks in Ireland - AIB and Bank of Ireland. In our experience, these are the only 2 banks in Ireland that are set up to work with international companies just setting up in Ireland.
It is vital that you approach and engage with the banks in the right way, from day 1. We have successfully opened hundreds of Business Bank Accounts in Ireland for our clients globally.
Getting VAT registered for your limited company if you are non-resident directors and shareholders in Ireland is difficult. You will need to show the following:
This 2-min 29-sec video below explains in detail the VAT registration process in Ireland for a limited company.
Before a company registration can be completed with Nathan Trust, you will need to furnish us with proof of identity (preferably passport) and a document showing proof of address (e.g. bank statements, utility bills, tax documents) for the directors and shareholders of the new company in Ireland. This is all part of the AMLD5 Directive from the EU.
Ireland has the youngest population in the European Union with 33% of the population under the age of 25. Conversely, the share of the population 65 or older is the lowest in the EU.
The population is highly educated with 3rd level attainment among ages 30-44 of 55.4% vs the EU average of 40.3%.
There are over 400,000 international workers in the labour force as of Q2 2020 which is the 4th highest in the EU. This makes up 17% of the workforce. The majority of these foreign workers are highly educated and are working in the technology industry.
British citizens can continue to travel, work and study in Ireland post-Brexit. The common travel agreement guarantees this and this is why a lot of people are moving to Ireland from the UK.
Ireland consistently ranks as one of the top countries in the world to do business in and consistently attracts a large level of foreign direct investment.
Ireland is the 12th most competitive economy in the world and the 4th most competitive economy in the EU.
OECD figures show Ireland as the first in the world for labour productivity.
Labour costs in business economy sectors
Our complete service offering combines a highly skilled and experienced team of Corporate Secretaries, Accounts and International Tax Specialists. We provide an 'end-to-end solution that supports all your Irish company compliance needs. From company setup to specialist tax advice to running your company payroll. We have it all covered. You can download our latest brochures detailing our services below:
Full Company Governance and Compliance (PDF) here:
Full Accounting & Tax Services (PDF) here:
Below is a short video of Philip Nathan at Nathan Trust explaining how long it takes to complete the registration of a limited company in Ireland.
Limited company registration can normally be completed in 5-7 working days, from the date of receiving signed application documents.
We're here to answer all of your questions and help you find the perfect plan for your Company.
LTD companies may dispense with the requirement to hold an AGM provided members sign a written resolution dispensing with the AGM. If this option is not taken then a company should hold an AGM each year, with not more than 15 months elapsing between AGMs. Here are a few tips on how to conduct a successful AGM and the top tips to arrange a successful AGM.
All companies must file an annual return with the Companies Office at least once every calendar year. With the exception of the Company’s first Annual Return, Companies must attach a copy of their accounts to the annual return filed with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). The accounts attached to an annual return must be made up to a date that is not more than 9 months earlier than the effective date of the return. Nathan Trust can take care of annual returns for your Irish company.
Currently, an Irish company registration requires just one director. However, a single director can't act as the Company Secretary. A separate person must act as Company Secretary. This is a service that we provide.
The Companies Act 2014 stipulates that every company must have a company secretary. As for their duties, the act states:
“The duties of the secretary of a company shall, without derogating from the secretary’s statutory and other legal duties, be such duties as are delegated to the secretary, from time to time, by the board of directors of the Company”.
These duties entail:
The company secretary does not have voting rights at board meetings and cannot make any board-level decisions unless the company secretary is also a director.
Technically, yes, once they are 18 or over. There are no official educational requirements needed to act as Company Secretary, however, it is important to note that Irish company directors have a duty to ensure that the Company Secretary has the skills and resources necessary to discharge his or her duties. It is common for company directors to employ the services of a professional company secretarial firm. Nathan Trust offers the service of a professional nominee Company Secretary.
It is possible for one person to set up a limited company. When one person sets up a limited company in Ireland on their own, they will need someone else to act as the Company Secretary. You cannot act as both a single director and Company Secretary. Nathan Trust can provide a one-person, single-director company with a Company Secretary.
For those residing outside the EEA and non-residents, there are two options. Either you can purchase a non-EEA Director bond, which ensures the company is against fines for any offences under the Companies Act, this bond would need to be renewed every 2 years. The other option would be for the Irish company to appoint a non-executive or “nominee” director to the board to satisfy the residency requirement.
Connecting with an expert can help you get started on the right foot! Let's schedule a discovery call and find out how we are able to provide what your company needs.
Yes, all companies registered in Ireland must register with an Irish address, P.O box addresses are not permitted. This registered address does not need to be your trading address. Nathan Trust can provide your new Irish company with a registered address in Dublin or Cork.
NATHAN TRUST - FULL RANGE OF SERVICES
At Nathan Trust, we offer a comprehensive company formation and corporate compliance solution tailored to your Irish business needs. Our expert team of Corporate Secretaries, Accountants, and International Tax Specialists guide you through every stage of the company setup process in Ireland. Whether you're registering a limited company, setting up an Irish bank account, or ensuring full tax compliance, we have you covered with our end-to-end service offering.
Our services extend from providing specialist tax advice and managing payroll services to fulfilling all your Irish company compliance requirements. Whether you’re looking to register a new Irish company or expand an existing one, Nathan Trust ensures a seamless experience. Download our latest brochures below to explore how we can support your business journey in Ireland.
Full Company Secretarial Services (PDF) here:
Full Accounting & Tax Services (PDF) here:
As a family business, we pride ourselves on going ‘above and beyond’ for our clients. Don't take our word it, here is what our customers say:
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David Bruton is a graduate in Business from the Cork Institute of Technology. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA). In addition to dealing with ongoing accounting and tax compliance for clients, David’s areas of expertise also include personal and corporate tax planning, VAT and the international aspects of the Irish tax system. David enjoys trying to take the mystery out of tax for clients.
© Copyright 2024 Nathan Trust. All rights reserved.
Nathan Trust is the trading name for Millex Limited (CRO Number: 314738), is officially registered in Cork, Ireland, and operates under the regulatory oversight of Chartered Accountants Ireland (56679), Chartered Governance Institute (No: 1045242) and the Irish Tax Institute.
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HOW DO I SET UP A LIMITED COMPANY IN IRELAND?
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