Company Registration in Ireland
Capital: Dublin.
Official languages: Irish, English.
Currency: euro.
The state is not a classic offshore jurisdiction, but Ireland has a simplified taxation system. The use of this jurisdiction allows companies to obtain favorable conditions for doing business.
Company registration provides the following benefits:
- Economic and political stability.
- Good reputation.
- Low tax rate.
Ireland is a country in Northern Europe that occupies most of the island of Ireland. To the north it borders Northern Ireland.
Ireland is one of the most attractive European jurisdictions for doing business and registering companies.
The main advantages of registering a company in Ireland include low tax rates, a highly qualified workforce, EU membership, English language and a favorable geographical location.
Taxation and Reporting Features
Corporate Income Tax:
- Standard rate: 12.5%
- IP Box for IT/Intellectual Property: 2.5%
- Tax holidays for startups: first 5 years if turnover <€150k
VAT:
- Standard rate: 23%
- Reduced rate: 13.5% (tourism, catering)
- 9% (books, press)
- 0% on international services (IT export)
Dividends:
- Withholding tax for residents: 20%
- 0% for non-residents (subject to treaty provisions)
Company registration in Ireland is managed by the Companies Registration Office (CRO). The chosen company name should be unique and not identical to any existing company names.
To register a company, the application must be filed with the CRO, including the company’s constitution, details of directors, and company secretary. Required documentation also includes identification and address verification for all involved parties.
Once the company is incorporated, it is necessary to register for taxation with Revenue, Ireland’s tax authority. Additional registrations, such as for VAT, may be required depending on the business activities.
At the time of registration, the company must have:
- A Company Registration Number issued by the CRO, necessary for legal and financial activities.
- A Constitution document, which outlines the rules for the company’s operation.
- A bank account in the company's name, with initial capital as required by the company’s constitution.
- Registration with the Revenue for tax purposes, including obtaining a Tax Identification Number.
PLC/LTD Company in Ireland
- Limited liability
- Minimum 1 director / 1 shareholder
- Simple business structure
Company Registration in Ireland
Additional information
- Financial reporting: Mandatory annually (Irish GAAP/IFRS)
- Audit: Mandatory for companies exceeding thresholds
- Annual Return: Due 6 months after incorporation
- Tax return: Corporation Tax Return to the Revenue
- Employer's Return: Required if there are employees
- Registers: Shareholders and directors (mandatory)
- Directors' details Publicly available in the CRO
- Shareholders' details Publicly available
- Financial reporting Confidential (not published)
Timeline and Stages
- 01
Preparation of documents and choosing a company name
1-2 days - 02
Company name search in the Irish Registry
1 day - 03
Submission of documents online or offline
1 day - 04
Receiving Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration
1-4 days - 05
Setting up a corporate bank account
2-4 weeks
The bottom line
Registering a business in Ireland has many benefits for foreign investors. At the same time, the registration process is not so simple and requires an understanding of local laws and procedures. We recommend that you seek advice from qualified IT-OFFSHORE consulting specialists who have experience working with this jurisdiction and will be able to register your company in Ireland in the shortest possible time.
We offer not only legal support for company registration, but also a wide range of services, which includes accounting services, nominee services, and full support of the company after its registration; Thus, we provide full year-round service to your company.
Cost calculation
Add the required options for your company:
FAQ
Can you register a company remotely?
Yes, in most cases — you can.
Remote company registration is available in the vast majority of popular jurisdictions today. Modern corporate services, electronic document management and professional registered agents make it possible to complete the entire registration process without being physically present in the country.
The process typically works as follows: you provide the required documents electronically, sign them remotely — via a notary, apostille or electronic signature — and a local registered agent handles all communication with government authorities and document submission on your behalf.
This has been made possible by several factors: most countries allow foreign founders and directors, corporate service providers operate remotely across the globe, and the digitisation of government registries has significantly streamlined and accelerated the procedures.
The one step that may still require in-person presence is opening a corporate bank account — however, even here many banks and fintech platforms now offer remote identity verification.
What documents are needed for registration?
Registering a company in most jurisdictions requires a standard set of documents. For individuals — founders and directors — the typical requirements include: a certified copy of a passport, proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement no older than 3 months), and in some cases a bank reference letter or CV.
For corporate shareholders, the required documents include: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, register of directors and shareholders, and confirmation of the ownership structure.
Do I need to keep accounting records and submit reports?
Accounting and reporting requirements vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction. In most countries, companies are required to maintain proper bookkeeping, file annual financial statements and submit tax returns.
At the same time, there are a number of jurisdictions where reporting requirements are minimal or effectively non-existent for non-resident companies. These include, for example, the Marshall Islands, the Cook Islands, Panama, Belize, Seychelles and Vanuatu — in these countries, companies that do not conduct business within the territory of the registration state are generally exempt from mandatory financial reporting and audit requirements.
We provide full company administration services, including preparation and submission of annual reports, liaison with local authorities and ensuring full compliance with all corporate requirements of the jurisdiction.
Is it possible to open a bank account for a company?
Yes, opening a corporate bank account is possible for virtually any jurisdiction, however this process deserves careful attention. Today businesses have two main options: traditional banks and fintech platforms.
Traditional banks offer a full range of financial services, but account opening requirements have become increasingly stringent — KYC procedures, source of funds confirmation, business plans and in some cases in-person presence may be required. Fintech platforms — such as Wise, Airwallex, Revolut Business and others — open accounts significantly faster and remotely, making them a popular solution for international companies at an early stage.
Is it possible to use nominee directors?
Yes, the use of nominee directors and shareholders is a common and legitimate practice in international corporate structuring. A nominee director is formally listed in the company registry but acts exclusively in accordance with the instructions of the beneficial owner, providing an additional layer of privacy.
This service is particularly in demand in jurisdictions where information about directors and shareholders is entered into a public register — for example, in Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Malta and a number of other EU countries. In offshore jurisdictions, nominee services are also widely used to simplify corporate governance and protect ownership structures.
We provide nominee director and shareholder services for any jurisdiction we work with.
