Taras Miroshnychenko

Head of practice

E-mail

miroshnychenko@prikhodko.com.ua

Phone numbers

Head of Corporate Law and Fintech Practice. Expert in the creation and reorganization of companies, support of M&A transactions, as well as legal support for opening and running a business in the EU, Asia, and North America.

Business setup and support in Ireland

Ireland is one of the most attractive jurisdictions in the European Union for doing business. The low corporate tax rate (12.5%), the English-speaking legal framework and access to the EU market make Ireland an ideal base for expansion.

Why Ireland?

In addition to the aforementioned tax rate, Ireland attracts with a stable legal system based on common law, which is understandable for international partners. The European headquarters of technology giants (Google, Meta, Apple) are located here, which creates a powerful ecosystem for startups and IT companies. In addition, Irish legislation offers flexible mechanisms for protecting assets and confidentiality of founders.

Choosing a legal form

The most popular form for medium and small businesses is the Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD), an analogue of the Ukrainian LLC. It provides for limited liability of the founders, a minimum authorized capital (usually 1 euro) and a simple management structure. For large holdings or public companies, there is the Public Limited Company (PLC) form, but it requires stricter reporting.

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Step-by-step registration algorithm (from idea to operation)

The business registration procedure in Ireland is completely digital and takes place through the Companies Registration Office (CRO) portal. However, to avoid refusals and delays, it is important to follow a clear sequence:

Reserving a unique name. The company name should not duplicate existing ones and should contain an indicator of the legal form (for example, LTD).
Preparation of constituent documents. The main document is the company’s Constitution, which defines the objectives of the activity and the management structure. It is critically important to correctly prescribe the types of activities so as not to have problems with banks or counterparties later.
Appointment of directors and secretary. In Ireland, a company must have at least one director resident in the European Economic Area (EEA). If there are none, it is necessary to purchase a “non-EEA bond” service (guarantee insurance) or use the services of a nominee director.
Submission of form A1 to the CRO. This is the main registration document, which contains information about the directors, secretary and registered office.
Registration with the Revenue Commissioners. After receiving a company number (CRO number), you need to register as a taxpayer, VAT (if the planned turnover exceeds the threshold) and register as an employer if you plan to hire staff.
Bank account. The most difficult stage for non-residents is opening a corporate account. Irish banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland) have strict compliance requirements. They require the physical presence of directors and a detailed business plan. Alternatives may be European neobanks (Revolut Business, Payoneer) with Irish IBANs or highly specialized banks that work with corporate clients. Prykhodko & Partners lawyers help prepare a package of documents according to the requirements of a specific banking institution to minimize the risk of rejection.

Tax aspects and reporting

The Irish tax system is loyal, but demanding in terms of reporting.

Corporation Tax: 12.5% on trading income (relevant for most companies).
VAT: Standard rate of 23%, but there are reduced rates for certain industries. Reporting is usually submitted every 2 months.
Annual reporting: Mandatory annual submission of the Annual Return (Form B1) to the CRO, even if no activity has been carried out. Delay in this report leads to fines and the threat of the company being removed from the register.

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How can we help?

Prikhodko & Partners offers comprehensive turnkey business support in Ireland:

Structure analysis: We will help you determine whether to register a new company or open a representative office/branch of an existing Ukrainian company.
Registration: Full legal support at the CRO, preparation of the Constitution, resolution of the issue with the resident director.
Banking: Preparation of business plans and legal dossiers (due diligence) for passing bank checks (KYC).
Tax and legal compliance: Annual accounting services, preparation and submission of reports to the tax and CRO, labor law consultations during staff recruitment.

Entering the Irish market is a powerful step for scaling your business in Europe. However, differences in legal systems and bureaucratic procedures require a professional approach.