Starting a company in Ireland involves gathering the right documents, meeting legal requirements, and filing with the CRO. Missing even one item can delay your incorporation by weeks. This company formation checklist Ireland covers absolutely everything you need — whether you're an Irish resident or a non-resident forming a company in Ireland.
For a full step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to register a company in Ireland.
Pre-Formation Checklist
Before you begin the formal incorporation process, make sure you've completed these essential planning steps:
- Choose your company structure — LTD is the most common. See types of companies in Ireland.
- Decide: sole trader or limited company? — Read our LTD vs sole trader comparison if unsure.
- Choose 3 company name options — in order of preference, to avoid delays if your first choice is taken.
- Check company name availability — use our free company name check.
- Define your business activities — prepare a brief description of what your company will do.
- Decide share structure — how many shares, and allocated to which shareholders.
Director and Secretary Requirements
Every Irish LTD company needs at least one director and a company secretary. Gather these details for each:
- Full legal name of each director
- Date of birth
- Residential address
- Nationality
- Occupation
- PPSN or IPN number — non-residents need an IPN number
- Company Secretary details — name and address (cannot be the sole director)
- Confirm EEA residency — at least one director must be EEA-resident, or you need a Non-Resident Director Bond
Shareholder Information
- Full name of each shareholder
- Address of each shareholder
- Number of shares allocated to each person
- Share value — typically €1 per share, with a minimum of 1 share
Registered Office Address
- Physical Irish address — PO boxes are not accepted by the CRO
- Must be able to receive official post — from CRO, Revenue, and other statutory bodies
- Don't have one? Use our Registered Office Address service (€300/year, free in Premium package)
Documents Required for CRO Filing
- Company Constitution (Memorandum and Articles of Association)
- Form A1 — the official CRO incorporation form
- Director consent forms
- Secretary consent form
- CRO filing fee — included in all StartCompany.ie packages
Additional Requirements for Non-Residents
If you're forming a company from outside Ireland, you'll also need:
- Certified passport copy for each director
- Proof of address — utility bill or bank statement less than 3 months old
- IPN application — if you don't have an Irish PPSN
- Non-Resident Director Bond — if no directors are EEA-resident (approx. €2,200)
- Irish registered office address
Our all-in-one non-resident formation package (€2,499) includes everything above.
Post-Formation Checklist
Once your company is incorporated, complete these steps to become fully operational:
- Register for Corporation Tax with Revenue — mandatory. Use our tax registration service.
- Register for PAYE/PRSI if paying director salaries or hiring employees
- Register for VAT if turnover will exceed thresholds. See our VAT registration guide.
- Open a business bank account — read our guide on opening a business bank account in Ireland
- Register with RBO — Register of Beneficial Ownership (included in Standard/Premium packages)
- Set up accounting records — appoint an accountant
- Note your Annual Return Date (ARD) — first one is 6 months after incorporation. Read our annual return guide.
- Maintain statutory registers — register of directors, members, and secretaries
Ongoing Annual Compliance
- File Annual Return (B1) with the CRO — within 56 days of your ARD
- File Corporation Tax return (CT1) with Revenue
- File VAT returns — if VAT registered (bi-monthly or every 4/6 months)
- File payroll returns — if you have employees
- Renew registered office address — if using our service
- Renew company secretary — if using our nominee secretary service
How Much Does All This Cost?
For a full transparent breakdown of every cost involved, from formation fees to ongoing compliance, see our detailed guide on company formation costs in Ireland. Formation starts from just €240 with StartCompany.ie.
Let Us Handle the Checklist for You
Rather than managing every item yourself, let StartCompany.ie handle the entire company formation Ireland process. We prepare all documents, file with the CRO, and ensure full compliance — from just €240. Compare our packages or get started today.