Doing business in Ireland

Irish company law is consolidated in the Companies Act 2014 and administered by the Companies Registration Office, with beneficial ownership filed separately with the Register of Beneficial Ownership. Tax is administered by the Revenue Commissioners, financial services are authorised and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland, competition and merger control sit with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and data protection with the Data Protection Commission. EU regulations apply directly, and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment runs employment permits, export controls and foreign investment screening.

Key facts

Corporate income tax

12.5% trading income; 25% non-trading income

VAT

23% standard; 13.5% and 9% reduced

Main entity form

Private company limited by shares (LTD); one director plus separate secretary

Director residence

One EEA-resident director or a EUR 25,000 section 137 bond

Foreign investment screening

Screening of Third Country Transactions Act 2023 in force from 6 January 2025

Data protection

GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018; Data Protection Commission

Minimum wage

EUR 14.15 per hour from 1 January 2026

Dividend withholding tax

25%, with exemptions for qualifying EU, EEA and treaty-resident companies

Most foreign investors incorporate an LTD with the Companies Registration Office or register a branch of the parent. The LTD has no stated minimum capital on the CRO page, but officer rules matter: a separate secretary is needed where there is one director, and at least one director must be EEA-resident unless a bond is held. Beneficial ownership must be filed with a separate register.

Key facts

• An LTD can have one director and up to 149 members, has no objects clause and does not need an AGM; other company types need at least two directors.

• A sole director cannot also be the company secretary, so a single-director LTD still needs a second person as secretary.

• If no director lives in the EEA (UK residence no longer counts), the company needs a EUR 25,000 section 137 bond from a bank or insurer, valid for at least two years.

• A branch of a foreign company must be registered with the CRO on Form F12 or F13 within 30 days, with certified and translated constitutional documents and accounts.

• Beneficial ownership changes must reach the RBO within 14 days; a PLC needs at least EUR 25,000 allotted share capital.

Who handles this in IrelandSetting up and running a companyContracts and commercial lawAnti-bribery, sanctions and compliance

Ireland taxes trading profits at 12.5% and passive income at 25%, with the 15% Pillar Two minimum for large groups. Dividends carry 25% withholding unless an exemption declaration is in place, and VAT is 23% at the standard rate. Small companies can be audit-exempt but lose that if they file late, and B2B e-invoicing is being phased in from 2028.

Key facts

• Corporation tax is 12.5% on trading income and 25% on non-trading income such as rent and investment returns, so the trading classification of each income stream matters.

• Large groups in scope of Pillar Two must reach a 15% minimum rate on profits in each jurisdiction.

• DWT is 25%, but companies resident in the EU, EEA or a treaty country that are not Irish-controlled can be exempt by giving the payer Form V2B.

• VAT is 23% standard, 13.5% and 9% reduced; large corporates face mandatory domestic B2B e-invoicing and real-time reporting from November 2028.

• Transfer pricing follows Part 35A TCA 1997 and OECD guidelines; small companies (two of: EUR 7.5m balance sheet, EUR 15m turnover, 50 employees) can be audit-exempt if they file on time.

Who handles this in IrelandTax and structuring · Kevin McSharryAccounting and annual filingsAudit

Employers must give written core terms within 5 days, pay at least the national minimum wage and register with Revenue for PAYE before paying staff. Auto-enrolment into a state-backed pension started in 2026. Non-EEA staff need an employment permit, with salary floors that vary by permit and occupation.

Key facts

• The minimum wage is EUR 14.15 an hour from 1 January 2026, with EUR 14.94 announced for 2027 subject to legislation.

• Core terms must be in writing within 5 days and the rest within one month; most employees get 4 weeks' paid annual leave.

• Unfair dismissal protection usually starts after 12 months' service; claims must be brought within 6 months and awards are generally capped at 2 years' pay.

• Payroll must be reported to Revenue on or before each pay date, and eligible staff have been auto-enrolled in MyFutureFund since January 2026.

• Critical Skills Employment Permits need a 2-year offer and generally EUR 68,911 salary (EUR 40,904 for listed degree-level roles), without a labour market test.

Who handles this in IrelandEmployment, payroll and immigrationContracts and commercial law

Most businesses need no general licence to operate, but financial services require Central Bank authorisation. The R&D tax credit and IDA Ireland supports are the main incentives confirmed here. Rules on procurement and property were not researched in this essentials pass.

Key facts

• Banks, insurers, investment firms, payment and e-money institutions and funds need authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland.

• The R&D Corporation Tax credit is 30% of qualifying spend for periods from 1 January 2024 and is paid over three years.

• IDA Ireland is the main agency for foreign direct investment and offers grants and supports to clients.

Who handles this in IrelandLicences, permits and regulatorsTax and structuring · Kevin McSharry

Banks and payment firms apply customer due diligence under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, and must screen against EU sanctions. Payment and e-money firms need Central Bank authorisation. Account-opening practice and any exchange-control position were not confirmed from an official page.

Key facts

• AML and counter-terrorist financing duties for banks and other designated persons come from the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, so expect full KYC at onboarding.

• Financial institutions must freeze and report matches against sanctions lists to the Central Bank without delay.

• Payment institutions and e-money institutions operating from Ireland need Central Bank authorisation.

Who handles this in IrelandBanking and capitalPayments and currencyAnti-bribery, sanctions and compliance

Ireland applies EU customs law and EU trade agreements. Anyone moving goods outside the EU needs an EORI number and customs declarations. Export controls on dual-use and military items are run by DETE under EU law and the Control of Exports Act 2023.

Key facts

• Trading goods with non-EU countries requires customs registration through an EORI number and customs declarations; duty depends on classification and origin.

• Ireland trades under agreements negotiated by the EU on behalf of member states.

• Dual-use and military exports need authorisation from the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment under Regulation (EU) 2021/821 and the Control of Exports Act 2023.

• DETE enforces EU trade sanctions on exports of dual-use and military goods.

Who handles this in IrelandCustoms, trade and export controlsAnti-bribery, sanctions and compliance

The GDPR applies directly, supplemented by the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Data Protection Commission is the regulator. Transfers outside the EEA need an adequacy decision or safeguards such as standard contractual clauses. E-invoicing obligations start in 2028 for large corporates.

Key facts

• The Data Protection Commission is the Irish supervisory authority under the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

• Transfers outside the EEA need an adequacy decision or safeguards such as SCCs or BCRs; derogations are a last resort.

• Breaches must be notified to the DPC unless unlikely to create a risk, and to affected people where the risk is high.

• Systems should be ready for structured e-invoicing and real-time VAT reporting, starting with large corporates in November 2028.

Who handles this in IrelandData protection and cyberContracts and commercial law

The IPOI handles national patents, trade marks and designs, and Irish protection can also be obtained through EU trade marks and European patents. Trade marks are renewed every 10 years. Ireland's position on the Unitary Patent was not confirmed.

Key facts

• The IPOI administers patents, designs and trade marks and is responsible for copyright policy.

• Irish trade marks are renewed every 10 years from the registration date, with a six-month grace period for a fee.

• A European patent validated for Ireland gives the same rights as an Irish national patent.

Who handles this in IrelandTrade marks, patents and brands

Mergers above turnover thresholds must be notified to the CCPC before completion. The thresholds changed twice in 2026: higher thresholds lapsed on 30 September 2026 and the old EUR 60 million and EUR 10 million tests apply until the government reintroduces the higher ones. Foreign investment screening has applied since January 2025.

Key facts

• Notify the CCPC before completion if combined Irish turnover is at least EUR 60 million and two parties each have at least EUR 10 million.

• Higher thresholds (EUR 100 million and EUR 15 million) applied from 1 July to 29 September 2026 and are expected to return in early 2027, so check the position at signing.

• Certain acquisitions by third-country investors must be notified under the Screening of Third Country Transactions Act 2023, in force since 6 January 2025.

• Viable small and micro companies can restructure through SCARP, a lighter, director-led alternative to examinership.

Who handles this in IrelandBuying, selling and investingLicences, permits and regulatorsContracts and commercial law

Company law enforcement has been strengthened by the 2024 Corporate Governance Act and the Corporate Enforcement Authority. Financial sanctions are administered by the Central Bank. Whistle-blowers dismissed for protected disclosures can recover up to 5 years' pay.

Key facts

• Most of the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 has applied since 3 December 2024, including an offence of obstructing Corporate Enforcement Authority officers.

• The Central Bank administers EU financial sanctions for financial institutions.

• Dismissal for a protected disclosure can cost an employer up to 5 years' pay.

• Knowingly employing someone without permission to live and work in Ireland is a criminal offence.

Who handles this in IrelandAnti-bribery, sanctions and complianceBusiness insurance

High-value commercial disputes go to the Commercial Court, a list of the High Court with active case management. Arbitration is governed by the Arbitration Act 2010 and courts actively encourage mediation. New York Convention status and foreign judgment enforcement were not confirmed from an official page.

Key facts

• Business disputes and Arbitration Act 2010 proceedings worth at least EUR 1 million can enter the Commercial Court.

• The Circuit Court hears contract claims up to EUR 75,000; larger claims go to the High Court.

• Solicitors must advise clients to consider mediation before suing, and courts can adjourn for ADR and take a refusal to mediate into account on costs.

Who handles this in IrelandDisputes and arbitrationContracts and commercial law