Registering a company in Ireland creates a separate legal entity with its own CRO, tax and annual-filing obligations. Ireland generally applies Corporation Tax at 12.5% to qualifying trading income and 25% to non-trading or excepted income; the result depends on the company's real activity and circumstances. Whether you're a first-time founder, contractor or non-resident looking to set up in Ireland, this guide walks through the practical registration steps in 2026.
Not sure if a limited company is right for you? Read our limited company vs sole trader comparison first.
Step 1: Choose Your Company Structure
The first decision is choosing the right legal structure. A Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD) is commonly used by small businesses, startups, contractors and ecommerce companies. It is a separate legal entity and shareholder liability is generally limited to unpaid share capital, subject to personal guarantees, director conduct and other legal exceptions.
Other structures available include:
- DAC (Designated Activity Company) — for companies with a defined purpose in their constitution
- CLG (Company Limited by Guarantee) — typically used for charities and non-profit organisations
- PLC (Public Limited Company) — for companies that wish to offer shares on a stock exchange
- Sole Trader — simpler but offers no liability protection
See our complete guide to types of companies in Ireland for detailed comparisons.
Step 2: Choose and Check Your Company Name
Your company name must be unique and not too similar to any existing company on the CRO register. A good company name is memorable, relevant to your business, and easy to spell. We offer a free company name check to verify availability before you proceed.
Key naming rules:
- Cannot be identical or deceptively similar to an existing registered company
- Cannot be offensive, misleading, or suggest government connection
- Certain restricted words (Bank, Insurance, University, Ireland, Irish, National) require ministerial approval
- Must end with "Limited" or "Ltd" (or Irish equivalents "Teoranta" / "Teo")
- We recommend submitting three name choices in order of preference in case your first choice is rejected
Step 3: Gather Your Required Documents
To incorporate a company in Ireland, the CRO requires specific information and documentation. Having everything prepared in advance significantly speeds up the process. Here's your complete checklist:
- Company Constitution (Memorandum and Articles of Association) — the governing document that sets out the company's rules and powers
- Form A1 — the official CRO incorporation form
- Director details — full name, date of birth, address, nationality, occupation, and PPSN or IPN number for each director
- Company Secretary details — name and address (cannot be the sole director)
- Shareholder details — names and number of shares allocated to each
- Registered office address — must be a physical address in Ireland (PO boxes not accepted)
- Description of company activities — a brief statement of what the company will do
A director who does not have a PPSN may need an Identified Person Number (IPN). Current CRO rules require a VIF declarant and witness to be physically in the same room; online witnessing is not accepted.
Step 4: Appoint Directors and a Company Secretary
Every Irish LTD company requires at least one director and a company secretary. The same person cannot serve as both sole director and company secretary — you need at least two people in these roles.
Director requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Cannot be an undischarged bankrupt
- Cannot be disqualified or restricted from acting as a director
- At least one director must be resident in the EEA, or the company must hold a Non-Resident Director Bond (Section 137 bond)
A sole-director LTD must appoint a different person as secretary. Review our company secretary service if the proposed secretary needs practical filing support.
Step 5: Provide a Registered Office Address
Every company registered in Ireland must have a registered office address — a physical location in Ireland where official correspondence from the CRO, Revenue, and other bodies is received. This address appears on the public register and on all official company documents.
If you don't have a suitable Irish address, review our Registered Office Address service. The Premium package includes the registered office service for the first year.
Step 6: File with the Companies Registration Office (CRO)
The Companies Registration Office (CRO) is the statutory authority responsible for the incorporation of companies in Ireland and the registration of business names. Filing involves submitting:
- Completed Form A1 (incorporation form)
- Company Constitution
- The CRO filing fee
- Consent forms from directors and secretary
The CRO reviews the application and, if it accepts the filing, issues a Certificate of Incorporation. Processing time varies with the filing route, the current queue and whether the CRO raises a query. On 7 August 2026, the CRO reported processing Ordinary A1 submissions received on 25 July 2026 and Fé Phrainn A1 submissions received on 31 July 2026. Check the current CRO processing status before relying on a launch date.
Step 7: Receive Your Certificate of Incorporation
Once approved, you receive your Certificate of Incorporation along with your unique CRO number. This is your company's "birth certificate" — proof that it legally exists. From this point, your company can:
- Open a business bank account
- Enter into contracts
- Register for tax with Revenue
- Begin trading
Learn how to open a business bank account in Ireland after incorporation.
Step 8: Register for Tax with Revenue
CRO incorporation does not automatically complete the company's Revenue setup. Assess which registrations apply before or when trading begins:
- Corporation Tax (CT) — generally required when the company begins a taxable trade or activity
- PAYE/PRSI — required if you'll be paying salaries (including director salaries)
- VAT — principal thresholds currently include €42,500 for services-only supplies and €85,000 for most goods supplies, with other rules for some activities and cross-border trade. See our guide to VAT registration in Ireland.
- RCT — required for certain construction-industry contracts. Read our guide to setting up a construction company in Ireland.
Our Tax Registration service helps prepare the registrations supported by the company's actual activity and evidence. Revenue controls acceptance and may request more information.
Founders hiring teams can also use our sector guides for cleaning companies and recruitment agencies to identify industry-specific steps beyond incorporation.
How StartCompany.ie Organises the Filing
You can handle the CRO registration process yourself. A formation service can organise the information, identify common inconsistencies and prepare the filing, but no provider can eliminate every query or guarantee CRO acceptance.
- Step 1: Choose your package — select from our Basic (€240), Standard (€490), or Premium (€798) packages
- Step 2: Submit your details — fill in our simple online form with your company name choices, director/shareholder details, and business description
- Step 3: We handle everything — we prepare your constitution, complete Form A1, file with the CRO, and handle any queries from the office
- Step 4: Receive your company — after CRO approval, you receive the Certificate of Incorporation, company constitution, share certificates, and statutory documents
How Much Does Company Formation Cost?
Our packages start from just €240, which includes all CRO fees, your company constitution, Certificate of Incorporation, share certificates, and a free consultation. For a detailed breakdown of all costs involved, including ongoing annual costs, read our guide on how much it costs to register a company in Ireland.
How Long Does Company Formation Take?
Treat preparation, CRO review and post-incorporation setup as separate stages:
- Preparation — timing depends on complete director, shareholder, secretary, address and identity information.
- CRO processing — timing varies with the route, current queue and any query.
- Ready to trade — banking, tax registration, RBO and operational setup follow their own review processes.
Revenue does not promise one fixed processing period for every tax registration. Timing depends on the tax head, evidence supplied and whether Revenue asks for clarification.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not checking the company name first — submit multiple name choices to avoid delays
- Incorrect PPSN/IPN details — ensure all director details exactly match Revenue records
- Forgetting the EEA director requirement — at least one director must be EEA-resident, or you need a Section 137 bond
- Using a PO Box as registered address — the CRO requires a physical address
- Not registering for tax promptly — delays in tax registration can cause issues with invoicing and VAT recovery
What Happens After Formation?
Once your company is incorporated, your ongoing obligations include:
- Filing an Annual Return (B1) with the CRO — first one due 6 months after incorporation
- Filing Corporation Tax returns with Revenue annually
- Maintaining statutory registers (directors, members, etc.)
- Following the meeting, written-resolution and governance rules that apply to the company's circumstances
- Keeping proper books of accounts
Start Your Company Today
Ready to register a company in Ireland? StartCompany.ie handles the formation paperwork from just €240. View our packages or start your company formation now.