Company Formation · Ireland

Company Formation in Ireland, Done Right

Incorporate a private company limited by shares (LTD) in the only English-speaking common-law EU member state, with a 12.5% trading corporate tax rate and no minimum capital. One team handles CRO incorporation, director and Section 137 arrangements, tax registration, and bank introductions end to end.

Licensed CSP
50+ yrs combined experience
15+ jurisdictions

Dublin city and the River Liffey, Ireland

Setup time: 5-10 business days
Foreign ownership: 100%
Min. capital: No minimum
Trading corporate tax: 12.5%
EU member state: Single market access
EEA-resident director: 1 required (or S.137 bond)

Why Choose Ireland for Company Formation?

Ireland is a leading EU jurisdiction for technology and corporate headquarters, intellectual property, holding, and trading structures, combining single-market access with an English-speaking common-law system. It offers clear advantages for international groups:

EU Member State. Full access to the EU single market, EU directives, and the only English-speaking common-law member state in the EU

Competitive Corporate Tax. A 12.5% corporate tax rate on trading income, one of the lower headline trading rates in the EU

English-Speaking Common Law. A common-law legal system with English as the working language, familiar to international groups

Established Tech and HQ Hub. A long-standing European base for technology, pharmaceutical, and multinational headquarters

100% Foreign Ownership. No local shareholder requirement; the company can be wholly foreign owned

No Minimum Capital. A private company limited by shares can be formed with nominal share capital

Extensive Treaty Network. A wide double-tax-treaty network reducing withholding tax on cross-border flows

Skilled Workforce. A young, educated, English-speaking workforce and a deep professional services ecosystem

Irish Company Types

Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD)

Min. capital: No minimum
Shareholders: 1-149
Best for: Most HQ, IP, holding, trading, and SME structures

Designated Activity Company (DAC)

Min. capital: No minimum
Shareholders: 1-149
Best for: Companies needing defined objects, often regulated or JV use

Branch of a Foreign Company

Min. capital: None required
Shareholders: Parent-owned
Best for: Foreign companies establishing an EU presence

Common Uses for Irish Companies

EU and Tech Headquarters

A long-established European base for technology, software, and multinational headquarters, with EU market access and an English-speaking workforce.

Intellectual Property

A familiar location for holding and licensing IP, supported by an extensive treaty network and established R&D incentives.

Holding Companies

An EU holding location with access to EU directives and a wide double-tax-treaty network for structuring cross-border investments.

International Trading

An EU-resident trading company with single-market access, used for distribution, services, and group operations.

Note: Costs are indicative and may change with your requirements and regulations. Contact us for a tailored quote.

How Irish Incorporation Works

Irish companies are incorporated through the Companies Registration Office (CRO) under the Companies Act 2014. The most common vehicle is the private company limited by shares (LTD), formed under a single constitution document. There is no minimum share capital, a single shareholder of any nationality is permitted, and the company can be 100% foreign owned. Every Irish company must have a company secretary and a registered office in Ireland, and at least one director who is ordinarily resident in the European Economic Area (EEA). Where all directors are non-resident, the company must instead put a Section 137 bond in place before the CRO will accept the incorporation. After incorporation, the company registers for Corporation Tax, and for VAT and payroll taxes where required, with the Revenue Commissioners.

Common Company Types

Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD). The most common vehicle for headquarters, IP, holding, trading, and SME structures.

Designated Activity Company (DAC). A private company with defined objects, often used for regulated activities or joint ventures.

Branch of a Foreign Company. For foreign companies establishing an EU presence in Ireland.

Holding Company. An LTD used as an EU holding vehicle, accessing EU directives and the treaty network.

Core Requirements and Documents

Shareholder and director documents: passport copies and proof of address for each individual, plus references, with KYC and AML checks
EEA-resident director or Section 137 bond: at least one director ordinarily resident in the EEA, or a two-year Section 137 bond where all directors are non-resident
Secretary and registered office: a company secretary and a registered office in Ireland must be maintained (in a single-director LTD the secretary must be a separate person)
Ongoing records: financial statements under applicable standards, an annual return to the CRO, a beneficial ownership register (RBO), and corporation tax and VAT filings where applicable

Last reviewed: June 2026. Reflects current Companies Act 2014, CRO, and Irish tax requirements.

Ireland Company Formation Process

From confirming the right structure to CRO incorporation, tax registration, and ongoing compliance, here is the step-by-step path.

Confirm Ireland Is the Right Fit

We begin with a consultation to understand your EU or tech headquarters, intellectual property, holding, or trading objectives and the wider group structure. Our advisors assess whether an Irish private company limited by shares (LTD) is optimal and advise on structure, directors, substance, and tax planning.

Reserve the Company Name and Prepare Documents

We check name availability with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) and prepare the incorporation package, including passport copies, proof of address, and references for each director, shareholder, and the company secretary, completing KYC and AML checks.

Arrange Directors and the Constitution

We confirm your director arrangements, including at least one director ordinarily resident in the European Economic Area (EEA) or, where all directors are non-resident, a Section 137 bond. We prepare the company constitution defining the share structure and governance, and confirm the registered office and company secretary.

Incorporate the Company

We file Form A1 and the constitution with the CRO through its online system. On approval, the CRO issues the Certificate of Incorporation and the company number. Standard incorporation typically completes within 5 to 10 business days once documents are in order.

Register for Tax and Arrange Banking

We register the company for Corporation Tax, and for VAT and payroll taxes (PAYE/PRSI) where required, with the Revenue Commissioners, and support corporate bank account opening. We then set up ongoing compliance, including the annual return to the CRO and the beneficial ownership register.

Total time5-10 business days to incorporate (indicative)

Have questions about the process?

Our experts are here to guide you through each step and answer your questions.

Why Choose AURNÉ for Ireland Company Formation?

Our team combines EU structuring expertise with efficient service delivery:

EU Structuring Expertise. Experience with EU and tech headquarters, IP, holding, and trading structures and their substance requirements

Established Relationships. Strong relationships with Irish company secretarial providers, accountants, and banks

Regulatory Knowledge. Up-to-date understanding of the Companies Act 2014, CRO filing, and Irish tax

Director Solutions. Guidance on the EEA-resident director requirement and Section 137 bond arrangements

Comprehensive Service. End-to-end support from incorporation to ongoing tax, accounting, and compliance

Multi-Jurisdiction Experience. Able to coordinate Irish structures with UAE, Cyprus, British Virgin Islands, Cayman, and other jurisdictions

Ireland Company Formation - Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about forming an Irish company, EU and tech HQ structures, the EEA-resident director requirement, tax, banking, and compliance.

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Company Formation in Ireland, Done Right

Licensed CSP

50+ yrs combined experience

15+ jurisdictions