Starting a Business · Ireland
Starting a Business - Ireland
Ireland permits 100% foreign ownership of Irish companies with no local-shareholder requirement and no minimum share capital for the standard private company (LTD), making it one of the more open EU jurisdictions for foreign founders. Incorporation through the CRO's online CORE system costs €50 and is typically processed within about 5 working days. The main friction for non-residents is the requirement that a company have at least one EEA-resident director, or otherwise post a Section 137 non-resident director bond; sensitive-sector investments may also trigger mandatory FDI screening.
Foreign investors may own 100% of the shares in an Irish company, with no mandatory local shareholder and no nationality restriction on ownership.
A private company limited by shares (LTD) under the Companies Act 2014 has no minimum share capital requirement and need not have an authorised share capital.
Reserve/check a company name on CRO, then file Form A1 plus a Constitution with the €50 fee via the CORE online portal; the company must also have a registered office in Ireland and appoint a qualified company secretary.
Section 137 of the Companies Act 2014 requires at least one EEA-resident director; if none, the company must hold a non-resident director bond (€25,000 cover, ~€2,000 for two years) or demonstrate a 'real and continuous link' to Ireland via Revenue.
Online incorporation through CORE is normally completed within about 5 working days; tax registration with the Revenue Commissioners must follow within 30 days of incorporation.
The Screening of Third Country Transactions Act 2023 (effective 6 January 2025) requires mandatory notification of non-EU/EFTA investments above €2 million that cross 25%/50% control thresholds in sensitive areas (critical infrastructure, technologies, inputs, sensitive data, media); ordinary businesses are unaffected.
Machine-assisted translation · verified 5/23/2026 · orientation, not legal advice. English version →