Ireland is one of Europe’s most business-friendly jurisdictions and a key gateway to the EU single market. The country boasts a highly educated English-speaking workforce, competitive corporate tax rates, and strong economic fundamentals. Dublin serves as the European headquarters for many multinational technology, pharmaceutical, and financial services companies.
Unlock growth opportunities in Ireland with Cerity Global as your trusted partner. We offer end-to-end support for establishing your legal entity, navigating Ireland’s often complex regulatory landscape with clarity and efficiency.
From company registration to ongoing back-office support, including HR, payroll, benefits, accounting, tax and compliance, Cerity Global simplifies the process so you can focus on growing your business.
Need to hire quickly before your entity is set up? We offer interim EOR services in Ireland, enabling you to onboard talent fast. Once your entity is established, we ensure a smooth transition of your employees from the EOR Structure to your own legal entity, without disrupting payroll or compliance.
Our experts stay ahead of regulatory changes to keep your operations aligned with Ireland’s employment and tax laws, helping you scale confidently and compliantly.
The most popular business structure for foreign investors in Ireland. It provides limited liability protection with no minimum share capital requirement. The company can have one or more shareholders and requires at least one director. A simplified structure makes it ideal for most business operations.
Suitable for larger companies planning to raise capital from public investors. Requires minimum share capital of €25,000 (of which €6,348 must be paid up). Must have at least two directors and is subject to more stringent reporting requirements.
An extension of a foreign company that carries out business activities in Ireland. The branch is not a separate legal entity but represents the foreign parent company and must be registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
A company where members have unlimited liability for company debts. While rare, it can offer certain tax advantages for specific business structures, particularly for holding companies.
At least one director must be a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA). If no EEA resident director is available, a bond must be filed with the CRO. Directors must be at least 18 years old and cannot be companies themselves.
Requires at least two directors, with no specific residency requirements, though practical considerations may necessitate Irish or EU resident directors for effective management.
Must appoint a local representative with authority to represent the foreign company in Ireland. This representative must be registered with the CRO.
In Ireland, bank account setup follows a structured process that typically aligns with company incorporation:
Bank Account Setup in Ireland: What’s Possible and When
Before Incorporation:
After Incorporation:
Note: Irish banks generally have efficient processes for business account opening.
Required documentation includes company incorporation documents, director identification, proof of address, and business plan details.
Cerity Global supports companies in their global expansion plans and helps in legal entity setup, registration and ongoing support services. With us, you can quickly set up a legal entity, operate compliantly, and expand globally. The process typically takes a few days to a week, depending on the bank.
Employment in Ireland is governed by national legislation and European labor directives. Core employment law is supported by:
Some of the standard details mentioned in the written contract include:
The different types of employment relationships are:
Permanent Employment (Contract of Indefinite Duration)
Standard full-time or part-time employment with no fixed end date. Provides maximum job security and full employment rights under Irish law.
Fixed-Term Contracts
Contracts with a specified end date. Must comply with the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003. After four years of successive fixed-term contracts, employees gain permanent status.
Part-Time Employment
Employees working less than normal full-time hours. Protected under the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 with pro-rata entitlements.
Agency Workers
An agency worker is employed by an agency under an employment contract where the work is assigned under the supervision and direction of another organization.
In Ireland, a probationary period typically ranges from three to twelve months depending on the role and are commonly 6 months for most positions.
The standard working hours is 39 hours per week across 5 days a week.
Overtime
A maximum of 48 hours per week (averaged over 4 months) is considered overtime.
The notice period in Ireland is typically one to eight weeks based on the length of service.
Statutory redundancy payments apply for employees with over 2 years’ service.
Ireland offers several immigration pathways for foreign nationals, with work authorization linked to job type, salary, and skills.
Work Visa & Permit Options in Ireland
1. Critical Skills Employment Permit
For highly skilled workers in designated occupations.
2. General Employment Permit
Primary vehicle for attracting third-country nationals for occupations experiencing labour or skills shortages.
3. Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit
For multinational companies transferring employees to Irish operations.
4. Startup Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
The Startup Entrepreneur Programme is available to non-EEA entrepreneurs with innovative business proposals. Applications are reviewed by Enterprise Ireland for innovation and scalability potential. Minimum investment of €75,000 is required.
5. Investor Programme
The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was closed to new applicants in 2023. No direct replacement program has been announced. Investors seeking Irish residency should explore other business-related or entrepreneurial visa options via INIS or Enterprise Ireland.
Key Notes:
Employees in Ireland are entitled to a minimum 20 working days (4 weeks) annual paid leave, with many employers providing additional days.
Female employees are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave may be taken.
Male employees receive 2 weeks paid paternity leave (state-covered) and it must be taken within 26 weeks of child’s birth. To qualify, the employee must have made sufficient PRSI contributions.
Employees receive 7 weeks of leave per parent per child (for children under the age of 2) covered by the state.
In addition, employees may take up to 26 weeks of unpaid Parental Leave, available until the child turns 12.
As of January 1, 2025, employees in Ireland are entitled to 5 days of statutory sick leave per year, paid by the employer at 70% of regular earnings (up to €110 per day). Employers may offer additional sick leave at their discretion.
The following statutory national holidays are observed in Ireland:
Note: Good Friday is widely observed but not a statutory public holiday in Ireland.
The most common length of the pay period is usually monthly, and payment is usually made on the 25th of each month.
In Ireland, there is no mandatory 13-th month bonus, however, some employers offer a bonus or additional payment at the end of the year.
Ireland’s social protection system provides comprehensive benefits.
The mandatory benefits in Ireland are:
Accounting standards must adhere to the EU-adopted IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) for listed companies. Additionally, FRS 102 Financial Reporting Standard for medium and large companies and FRS 105 Micro-entity standard for qualifying small companies.
All companies must file annual returns with the Companies Registration Office (CRO):
To qualify, the thresholds must be met in both the current and preceding financial years. A company qualifies for audit exemption if it satisfies any two of the following three conditions in both its current and preceding financial year:
Listed companies, public limited companies (PLCs), and certain regulated entities (e.g., financial institutions) must undergo a statutory audit regardless of size.
The standard corporate tax rate is 12.5%.
The VAT rate in Ireland is 23%.
The reduced rates are 13.5% and 9%, plus current temporary 9% rate on electricity/gas until October 2025.
Penalties for late filing of corporate tax return (CT1):
Late VAT filing:
Ireland follows the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines and requires arm’s length pricing for intercompany transactions.
Ireland implements Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting in line with OECD BEPS Action 13 guidelines.
Transfer pricing documentation obligations apply to large companies engaged in related-party cross-border transactions.
Master File
Local File
Deadline: Documentation must be contemporaneous and available at the filing due date of the corporate tax return. It must be provided within 30 days upon request by Irish Revenue.
As an EU member state, Ireland enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) through its supervisory authority, the Data Protection Commission (DPC). The GDPR applies to any entity processing personal data of individuals located in the EU and includes strict rules on consent, data usage, retention, and breach reporting.
Ireland’s AML framework implements EU’s 4th and 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directives.
Obligated entities: Financial institutions, designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs), virtual asset service providers (VASPs).
Key requirements:
Penalties: Administrative fines up to €5 million or 10% of turnover. Criminal penalties may include imprisonment for serious breaches such as willful money laundering.
Reasons you should setup legal entity in Ireland:
Cerity Global ensures your business expansion in Ireland is fast, compliant, and future-ready, so you can focus on growth while we manage the back-office tasks.
Economic figures are subject to change based on quarterly reports and market conditions.
Cerity Global combines deep local knowledge with proven expertise to make your Ireland business establishment effortless and compliant. Whether you’re looking for legal entity setup and registration or ongoing support, we’re your trusted partner for sustainable global expansion in Ireland.
Disclaimer – The information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Entity setup requirements, tax rates, and economic data are subject to change and may vary by location.
To discuss your needs and how we can help you achieve a compliant and efficient expansion.