v256.2 · business formation · IE · verified 2026-04
Ireland company formation
Entity types, formation timeline, costs, ongoing compliance, banking realities, and 2024-26 regime changes for incorporating in Ireland.
Corporate tax
12.5% trading rate; 25% passive income; 15% effective minimum for MNEs >€750M turnover (Pillar Two from 2024)
Formation time
5-10 business days standard; faster with FE Express
Min capital
No minimum (typical EUR 100 issued)
Director residency
At least one director must be EEA-resident (Ireland or other EEA state); workaround: Section 137 Non-Resident Director's Bond EUR 25K-39K typical
Available entity types
Private Limited Company (LTD) Designated Activity Company (DAC) Public Limited Company (PLC) Unlimited Company Limited Partnership (LP) Investment Limited Partnership (ILP) ICAV (Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicle)
Formation costs & timeline
Cost range: EUR 50 Companies Registration Office (CRO) online; EUR 600-2,500 service provider first year
Timeline: 5-10 business days standard; faster with FE Express
Common setup paths: Online via CORE (CRO's online filing). Service providers: Company Bureau, CompanyForce, MyBusinessRegistration, OSK Group, Baker Tilly, BDO — typical EUR 600-2,500 first year incl. CompSec + non-resident director arrangements.
Rate landscape & compliance
| Corporate tax | 12.5% trading rate; 25% passive income; 15% effective minimum for MNEs >€750M turnover (Pillar Two from 2024) |
| Franchise tax | No franchise tax |
| VAT / GST | 23% VAT (standard); 13.5% reduced; 9% hospitality; 0% certain categories |
| Treaty network | 75+ |
| Shareholder residency | No residency requirement |
| Public register | CRO publicly displays directors, secretary, registered office, annual returns. UBO register (CBI Central Register of Beneficial Ownership) — public for those with significant control, partially accessible. |
| Annual filings | Annual Return (Form B1) to CRO + audited financial statements (size-criteria dependent). Corporation Tax Return CT1 within 9 months of FYE. |
| Substance requirements | Strong BEPS-driven substance focus. IP-box (Knowledge Development Box) requires R&D in Ireland. Real management + control needed for tax-residency. |
Recent regime changes (2024-2026)
Pillar Two 15% global minimum tax effective Jan 2024 for in-scope MNEs. Knowledge Development Box (KDB) 6.25% rate continued. Personal income tax rate bands raised slightly 2024 Budget. CGT rate 33% unchanged but exit-tax tightening continues.
Strengths
- 12.5% corporate tax — among Europe's lowest
- EU member state — single market + euro
- English-language common-law jurisdiction
- 75+ treaty network
- Knowledge Development Box 6.25% on qualifying IP income
- Aircraft leasing world hub (~60% of global leased fleet domiciled in Ireland)
- ICAV (Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicle) competitive fund structure
- Strong US ties (Irish-American diaspora + commercial)
Drawbacks
- Pillar Two 15% global minimum tax from 2024 erodes 12.5% advantage for large MNEs
- Non-EEA director restriction creates friction for non-EU founders
- Section 137 Bond workaround costs EUR 25-39K
- VAT 23% among Europe's highest
- BEPS-driven anti-abuse provisions increasingly restrictive
- CGT 33% for individuals on Irish gains
- Property prices Dublin among Europe's highest
Typical uses & top industries
Typical uses:
Holding companies (EU + global) IP-licensing (Knowledge Development Box 6.25% rate) Trading entities Aircraft leasing (Ireland is global hub) Fund vehicles (ICAV, ILP) US-MNE Europe HQs (Apple, Google, Meta, Pfizer historically)
Top industries:
Technology (Big-Tech Europe HQs) Pharma (top-3 European pharma export hub) Aircraft leasing Financial services + funds MedTech
Source: official Ireland registry/authority · Last verified 2026-04
See also: full business-formation directory