COREDO > Company Formation in Ireland

Company Formation in Ireland

Why Register a Company in Ireland

Ireland is one of the key EU jurisdictions for international business, offering a 12.5% corporate tax rate and access to the single European market.

The country combines a stable English-speaking legal system, transparent regulation, and a strong focus on innovation and the technology sector. Ireland is a base for many of the world’s leading IT and financial companies and actively attracts foreign investment in technology, pharmaceuticals, and financial services.

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Types of Companies in Ireland

Registration of legal entities in Ireland is carried out through the Companies Registration Office (CRO) in accordance with the Companies Act 2014. Foreign entrepreneurs may choose from the following legal forms.

LTD — Private Company Limited by Shares.

The most common and convenient form for foreign investors. The company may have one director and one shareholder. The maximum number of members is 149. There is no statutory minimum share capital; however, in practice it is customary to issue shares with a nominal value of EUR 100 or more. A corporate secretary is mandatory — if the company has one director, the secretary must be a different person. LTD is governed by Part 2 of the Companies Act 2014.

DAC — Designated Activity Company.

A company with a limited scope of activities defined in its constitution. A minimum of two directors and one shareholder is required. Suitable for projects with a clearly defined area of activity, for example, specialised holding structures.

PLC — Public Limited Company.

A public company with the right to list shares on a stock exchange. The minimum share capital is EUR 25,000. At least seven shareholders and two directors are required. This form is suitable for large projects planning to raise public capital.

CLG — Company Limited by Guarantee.

A company limited by guarantee, without share capital. Members undertake to contribute a specified amount in the event of liquidation. This form is suitable for non-profit organisations, charitable foundations, professional associations, and management companies.

Branch of a foreign company.

Any existing foreign company may register a branch in Ireland. A branch is not a separate legal entity and operates on behalf of the parent company. Registration requires the parent company’s constitutional documents, certified and apostilled where necessary.

Registration Procedure

Company registration in Ireland is carried out online through the CORE (Companies Online Registration Environment) system managed by CRO. The process includes the following main stages: selecting and verifying the uniqueness of the company name, preparing Form A1 with details of directors, secretary, shareholders, and registered office, preparing the company’s constitution, submitting documents through CORE and paying the state fee of EUR 50, and registering with the Revenue Commissioners for a tax identification number.

An important requirement: at least one director must be a resident of a European Economic Area (EEA) country. If none of the directors is an EEA resident, the company must obtain an insurance bond (Section 137 bond) in accordance with the Companies Act 2014. Ireland does not impose residency requirements on shareholders.

Required Documents

To register a company in Ireland, the following documents must be prepared:

form A1 with complete details of directors, secretary, shareholders, and the company’s registered office;

the company’s constitution defining internal governance rules;

identity documents for all directors and shareholders (passports or national identity cards);

proof of residential address for directors and shareholders;

confirmation of a registered office in Ireland (lease agreement or certificate of ownership).

Foreign documents may require notarisation, translation into English, and an apostille. For citizens of non-EEA countries, additional due diligence may be required under anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. All documents are submitted electronically through the CORE system, which significantly simplifies the process for foreign applicants.

Registration Timeline

When documents are submitted online through the CORE system, company registration in Ireland takes approximately 5 business days, provided a complete set of correctly prepared documents is available. Upon registration, the company is assigned a CRO registration number and may commence business activities after receiving a tax identification number from the Revenue Commissioners.

Obtaining a Tax Registration Number from the Revenue Commissioners typically takes an additional 5 to 10 business days. Thus, the full cycle from document submission to the company being ready for business operations averages two to three weeks. The process can be accelerated by preparing all documents in advance and correctly completing the required forms. COREDO specialists handle the coordination of all stages, minimising the risk of delays due to formal errors in documentation.

Post-Registration Obligations

Following successful company registration in Ireland, a number of ongoing obligations arise. The company must maintain accounts in accordance with Irish Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (Irish GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The company files an Annual Return with CRO each year — the first return is due within six months of incorporation. Late submission of the Annual Return results in penalties and may lead to the loss of audit exemptions.

The company must file a tax return with the Revenue Commissioners and pay corporate tax. Companies with turnover exceeding EUR 37,500 (services) or EUR 75,000 (goods) must register for VAT. The company is also required to hold an annual general meeting and maintain up-to-date records in the register of directors and secretaries.

Cost of Services

The cost of company formation services in Ireland depends on the chosen legal form, the complexity of the corporate structure, and the scope of additional requirements. To receive a personalised quote, contact our specialists — we will prepare a detailed proposal tailored to your specific situation and business objectives.

Tax System of Ireland

Ireland offers one of the most competitive tax systems in the European Union. The corporate tax rate on trading profits is 12.5% — one of the lowest rates in the EU. Passive income (dividends, interest, rent) is taxed at 25%. The standard value-added tax (VAT) rate is 23%.

Ireland provides significant tax incentives for innovative businesses. The Knowledge Development Box programme allows an effective rate of 10% to be applied to income from qualifying intellectual property (patents, computer programmes). The R&D Tax Credit amounts to 35%. The country has concluded double taxation agreements with more than 70 states, minimising the tax burden on international operations.

It should also be noted that Ireland applies global minimum tax rules (Pillar Two) for multinational groups with consolidated revenue exceeding EUR 750 million — the minimum effective rate for such groups is 15%. For small and medium-sized businesses, this rule does not apply, and the standard rate of 12.5% remains attractive.

Our Experts

The COREDO team has been operating since 2016 and possesses deep expertise in company registration across various European jurisdictions. Over the years, the company’s specialists have completed hundreds of corporate projects, including company registrations, licence acquisitions, and legal structuring of businesses.

Nikita Veremeev

Founder & NED of COREDO. Founded the company in 2016 and personally oversees the strategic development of business across dozens of jurisdictions.

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal. Has been with the COREDO team since June 2017, responsible for the legal support of corporate projects and company registrations.

Basang Ungunov

Lawyer. Has been with the COREDO team since June 2022, specialising in the legal support of company registration and structuring across various jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a director need to be a resident of Ireland to register a company?

Irish legislation requires at least one director to be a resident of any EEA country — not necessarily Ireland specifically. In the absence of such a director, the company may proceed with registration by obtaining an insurance bond (Section 137 bond) for approximately EUR 25,000. COREDO assists clients in selecting the optimal solution, including the provision of a nominee director with EEA residency.

What is the minimum share capital for an LTD company in Ireland?

Irish legislation does not establish a minimum share capital for LTD companies. In practice, founders typically issue shares with a nominal value of EUR 100 or more.

How long does company registration in Ireland take?

When documents are submitted online through the CORE system, registration takes approximately 5 business days, provided a complete set of documents is available.

What is the corporate tax rate in Ireland?

The corporate tax rate on trading profits in Ireland is 12.5%, which is one of the lowest rates in the European Union. Passive income is taxed at 25%.

What ongoing obligations arise after registering a company in Ireland?

A registered Irish company must file an Annual Return with CRO within the prescribed deadlines — the first return no later than six months after incorporation. The company must maintain accounts in accordance with Irish GAAP or IFRS standards, file tax returns with the Revenue Commissioners, and hold an annual general meeting. Small companies may qualify for an audit exemption provided they meet the thresholds for revenue and assets. Systematic failure to meet reporting deadlines results in penalties and the risk of involuntary strike off from the CRO register.

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COREDO specialists provide full support for the company registration process in Ireland — from document preparation to obtaining a CRO registration number and tax registration. We have been operating since 2016 and help entrepreneurs from dozens of countries successfully build business structures in Europe and beyond.