Can Non-Residents Form a Company in Ireland?
Yes, absolutely. Ireland welcomes international entrepreneurs. You do not need to be an Irish citizen or resident to incorporate a company. However, there are specific requirements for non-EEA (European Economic Area) residents that you need to be aware of. See our dedicated non-resident company formation page for a full overview.
The EEA-Resident Director Requirement
Under the Companies Act 2014, every Irish company must have at least one director who is a resident of the EEA. If none of your directors are EEA-resident, you have two options:
- Obtain a Non-Resident Director Bond — a Section 137 bond (approx. €2,200 for two years)
- Appoint an EEA-resident director — this could be a nominee director
Our Non-Resident Director Bond service handles the entire bonding process for you.
IPN Number — Your Alternative to a PPSN
Irish residents use a PPSN (Personal Public Service Number) for tax purposes. If you don't have a PPSN, you'll need an IPN (Individual Person Number) to be appointed as a company director. An IPN is issued by the CRO and is included free in our Standard and Premium packages.
What Documents Do Non-Residents Need?
To form an Irish company as a non-resident, you typically need:
- A valid passport (certified copy)
- Proof of address in your home country (utility bill or bank statement, less than 3 months old)
- Details of proposed company name and business activities
- Details of all directors, secretary, and shareholders
- An Irish registered office address — we provide this through our registered office service
Our Non-Resident Formation Package
Our all-inclusive Non-Resident Directors Bond + Company Formation package (€2,499) includes everything you need. Compare all company formation packages to find the right one for you:
- Full company formation with all CRO fees
- Non-Resident Director Bond (2 years)
- Constitution, share certificates, and statutory documents
- First Annual Return (worth €119)
- RBO registration (worth €99)
- Post-formation support
Banking for Non-Residents
Opening an Irish business bank account as a non-resident can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Many banks now offer digital onboarding. We can advise you on the best options for your situation.
Tax Residency of Your Company
An Irish-incorporated company is generally considered tax-resident in Ireland if its central management and control is exercised in Ireland. This is important for corporation tax purposes and double tax treaties. Read about the benefits of forming a company in Ireland, including the 12.5% corporation tax rate.
Timeline
For non-resident formations, the process typically takes 2–3 weeks, depending on how quickly documentation is provided and the director bond is processed. Learn more about the full process in our step-by-step company formation guide.