Setting Up an Irish Limited Company in 2026: Founder's Guide

Ireland is one of the easiest places in Europe to incorporate a company. The 12.5% Corporation Tax rate, English-speaking workforce, common-law system and EU market access make it attractive for founders inside and outside the country.

This guide walks through everything you need to know to set up an Irish private limited company (Ltd, formerly LTD) in 2026.

Step 1: Decide if Ltd is right for you

The Irish Ltd is the equivalent of the UK Ltd — a private company limited by shares, governed by the Companies Act 2014. Other Irish entity types include:

• DAC (Designated Activity Company) — for regulated activities like financial services
• CLG (Company Limited by Guarantee) — typically for non-profits
• PLC (Public Limited Company) — for companies that will list shares
• Unlimited Company — for partnerships wanting to keep accounts private (rarely used by founders)

For 99% of founder-led businesses, the Ltd is the right choice.

Step 2: Pick a name

Names must be unique on the CRO register and not be misleading. You can search availability before applying. Some rules:

• Cannot be identical or "too similar" to an existing name
• Cannot use restricted words ("Bank", "Insurance", "University") without permission
• Must end in "Limited" / "Ltd" / "Teoranta" / "Teo"
• "Eire" / "Ireland" / "International" / "Standard" require justification

You can also reserve a name for 28 days while you finalise other paperwork.

Step 3: Identify your directors and secretary

Every Irish company needs:

• At least one director. Companies with only one director need a separate company secretary. Companies with two or more directors can have one of them act as secretary.
• At least one EEA-resident director. EEA = EU + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein. UK residents do NOT qualify post-Brexit. If no director is EEA-resident, you must purchase a Section 137 non-resident director's bond (currently around €2,000 for 2 years).
• A company secretary. Must have the skills to discharge the role; the company is liable if not. Many small companies appoint one of the directors.

Each director must obtain a Personal Public Service (PPS) number or use the alternative Verified Identity Number (VIN) process if they don't have one.

Step 4: Set up a registered office

You need an Irish registered office address. This is where official correspondence goes. It can be:

• Your home (if you live in Ireland)
• A business address service (typically €100–€300/year)
• An accountant's office

It cannot be a PO Box.

Step 5: Decide your share structure

The simplest setup is one share class, all ordinary shares. Default subscription is typically €100 (100 shares of €1 each), with each founder taking the percentage they own.

You can add complexity later (preference shares, ordinary B for tax-advantaged employee schemes, etc.). Keep it simple for the initial filing.

Step 6: Draft the Constitution

Since the Companies Act 2014, Irish Ltds use a Constitution (one combined document) instead of the older Memorandum + Articles. You can:

• Use the default model Constitution provided by the CRO (free, suits 90% of cases)
• Use a customised one drafted by a solicitor or formation agent (€300–€800)

The default works for most simple founder-owned companies. If you have multiple shareholders with different rights, or are taking external investment, get a custom Constitution.

Step 7: File with the CRO

Filing is via CORE, the CRO's online portal. You'll need:

• Form A1 (Incorporation Application)
• Constitution (uploaded as PDF)
• Form A1 declarations signed by all directors and secretary

Filing fees:

• €50 standard online filing
• €100 ordinary paper filing (rarely used)

Processing time:

• Online (standard): typically 3–5 working days
• Online (Fé Phráinn priority): 1–2 working days, additional fee

Step 8: Register for Director ID

All directors of Australian and UK companies need a Director ID — and from 2024, Irish directors must verify their identity via the CRO before being appointed. This is done as part of the Form A1 process or separately for additional directors.

Step 9: Open a business bank account

This is often the slowest step. Irish banks have tightened KYC since 2022. Expect 2–6 weeks for AIB / Bank of Ireland. Faster alternatives:

• Revolut Business — opens in days, but limited features for some businesses
• N26 / Bunq — EU-wide, fast onboarding
• Fire — Irish-licensed e-money institution, fast

You'll need:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Constitution
• Proof of identity for all beneficial owners (>25% shareholders)
• Proof of registered office
• Source of funds documentation

Step 10: Register for tax with Revenue

Incorporating with the CRO does NOT register you for tax. You separately register with Revenue via the eRegistration service in ROS:

• Corporation Tax — mandatory for every trading company
• VAT — when you exceed (or expect to exceed) the threshold (€42,500 services / €85,000 goods)
• PAYE/PRSI/USC — once you have an employee or director on payroll

Tax registration typically takes 2–5 working days once filed.

Step 11: First-year obligations

In the first 6 months, the company must:

1. Hold its first directors' meeting (minute it)
2. Issue share certificates to shareholders
3. Open the statutory registers (members, directors, secretaries)
4. Set up bookkeeping (AccountsOS handles this from day one)

Within 6 months of incorporation, the first Annual Return Date (ARD) falls — and within 56 days of that ARD, the first Form B1 must be filed with the CRO. The first B1 does NOT require accounts; subsequent ones do.

Costs summary

After incorporation

Annual obligations:

• Form B1 + accounts to CRO every 12 months (within 56 days of ARD)
• Form CT1 to Revenue 9 months after company year-end
• VAT3 returns bi-monthly if VAT-registered
• PAYE monthly via ROS if you have payroll
• Preliminary tax one month before company year-end
• Annual return of trading details (RTD) for VAT

Common mistakes

• Naming a director who isn't EEA resident without buying the Section 137 bond. CRO will reject the filing.
• Forgetting that incorporation ≠ tax registration. You must separately register with Revenue.
• Using a UK home address as the registered office. It must be in Ireland.
• Missing the first B1 deadline. Even though the first B1 doesn't need accounts, missing the date triggers a €100 penalty plus €3/day and loss of audit exemption for 2 years.

How AccountsOS helps

AccountsOS picks up the day after incorporation. Connect your business bank account, forward invoices, and Finn:

• Sets up the chart of accounts for an Irish Ltd
• Tracks your CRO ARD and B1 deadline
• Tracks your CT1 deadline and preliminary tax
• Monitors VAT registration thresholds and prompts when you cross
• Maintains digital records that satisfy Revenue's record-keeping rules

Get started free or read about AccountsOS in Ireland.

Related reading

• Corporation Tax in Ireland: 2026 guide
• VAT registration in Ireland: when must you register?
• PAYE, PRSI and USC: how Irish payroll works
• Salary vs dividends: what should an Irish director take?