Many entrepreneurs may want to form a sole trader business structure due to its simplicity; however, registering a business offers many benefits to business owners, from the limited liability and tax advantages to the ease of accessing funds.
BusinAssist makes it seamless for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Ireland. We have been authorised to establish companies and offer a wide array of secretarial services at an affordable cost.
Why pay more when you can get more with less? BusinAssist guarantees you quality, quick processing, and the lowest price!
What's Included
Why Choose BusinAssist for Your Ireland
Company Formation
Ongoing Support & Advisory
Beyond just forming your company, they often offer continued accounting, legal, and tax support—ideal for startups, non-residents, or SMEs navigating Irish business law.
Expert knowledge of Irish company law
BusinAssist specialises in Irish company formation and understands the local legal, tax, and compliance requirements. This ensures your company is set up correctly from day one.
Fast and efficient
We help business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs form their companies in Ireland fast and make it easy for them to be legally established. We ensure companies are formed correctly and align with the Companies Act legislation 2014.
Authorised
We are authorised as a Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) by the Department of Justice in Ireland to offer company formation and registration, business administration support, and the provision of registered office addresses.
Non-Resident Friendly
They are experienced in helping non-residents or international entrepreneurs set up companies in Ireland, including guidance on:
- Director and shareholder requirements
- Local address and secretary services
- Navigating Irish tax residency rules
All-in-One Packages
We provide a comprehensive formation packages that may include:
- Establishing a legal entity with the Companies Registration Office (CRO)
- Registered Irish address
- Company secretary services
- VAT registration assistance
- Bank account setup support
Ireland Company Formation Requirements
Company Name
A company must have a distinctive name that is not similar to or the same as the names registered by the Companies Registration Office (CRO). Choosing a company name can be challenging, especially with the risk of being rejected by the CRO. Here are the restrictions when choosing a name for your company in Ireland:
- Not be or contain words considered offensive
- Not be similar to existing names
- Not implying states or local government endorsements or sponsorship
- Do not use restricted terms that might mislead or imply a status not represented by the company
- Use of words such as bank, group, and insurance requires permission
Use our free company name checker tool to ensure your proposed name adheres to CRO’s guidelines.
Registered office address
Your company’s registered office address must be in the Republic of Ireland. The address will be used for official correspondence and legal notices, so it must be accessible and able to acknowledge delivery. The address has to be a physical location and not a P.O. Box, you can use your residential address if located in Ireland, or a virtual address for privacy and non-residents.
A virtual office service providers offer a registered office address to secure a residential address, since the address is available to the public, and ensures non-residents comply with the Companies Act 2014 stipulates that an Irish company should have a registered office address.
Director
As the business owner, you can be the sole director; however, if there are more people, you can decide on the company’s director. If you decide to be the sole director of your company, it is mandatory to appoint a company secretary. An Irish company should have at least one company director who should be a European Economic Area (EEA) resident. If none of the directors are EEA residents, the company can apply for a ‘Section 137 Non-Resident Director’s Bond’ and we can arrange this for you.
Directors’ details needed include:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Residential address
- Occupation
- Other companies where the individual is a director
Shareholder
The company owner is the main shareholder. The number of shares that are distributed should be divided in a manner that accurately reflects the ownership of the company. If you decide to be the sole director of your company, it is mandatory to appoint a company secretary. The details needed for the shareholders include:
- Their name
- Residential address
- Number of shares
Authorised & Issued Share Capital
This is the highest number of shares a company can issue if required. This is not the amount of money you will have to invest in the company as a shareholder, it is a notional amount of capital that the company will allow the Directors to issue before seeking the approval of the current shareholders.
Company Secretary
An Irish company must have a secretary. They are responsible for ensuring the statutory obligations of the company are met.
The secretary can either be one of the directors or a service provider BusinAssist can act as your company secretary and ensure all your annual returns are filed on time to avoid penalties.
Constitution
The Constitution replaces the Memorandum and Articles of Association. Private companies limited by shares do not have a memorandum but a constitution, while companies limited by guarantees continue to have a Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The constitution states the rules governing a company. It acts as an agreement between the company and its officers (directors, shareholders, and other officers).
The constitution must be filed with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) during company incorporation. Once a new Constitution is adopted, or a change has been made, a resolution of shareholders must be passed and a copy filed with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to take effect.
These are everything needed to register a company in Ireland. Companies will also need the NACE code, which the government uses for statistical purposes. The NACE code does not define the business activities your business is involved in.
BusinAssist will help and guide you through all these requirements to ensure your Irish company is registered accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to incorporate an Irish company?
After submitting the application to the Companies Registration Office (CRO), the formation process can take anywhere from 3 to 5 days.
Do I need to be a resident to form a company in Ireland?
No, it is not necessary to have residency in Ireland to set up a company there. However, the Companies Act 2014 requires the director to be a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA). This will not apply to you if you are an Irish citizen living abroad, since the requirement is based on residency, not nationality.
If your company does not fulfill the EEA residency requirement, you must apply for a ‘Section 137 Non-Resident Director’s Bond.
Do I need a company secretary
An Irish company must have a secretary to help with the company’s obligations. The director can act as the company secretary or appoint a separate individual or a service provider.
How many directors are needed to form an Irish company?
The company must have a minimum of two directors to form a company in Ireland; however, private companies limited by shares (Ltd) can operate with one director.
Can I draft my company constitution?
You can draft your company’s constitution as long as it does not conflict with the Companies Act 2014. We strongly recommend using an authorised company formation agent to help you ensure all requirements in the Constitution align with the act.
Does my Irish limited company need an audit report?
An Irish limited company must have its financial statements audited annually. However, there are audit exemptions for small, micro, dormant, or companies limited by guarantee.
Can I use a P.O. Box number as a registered office address?
A registered office address for your company must be a physical location. So, a P.O. Box address does not comply with the Companies Act 2014 requirements of a registered office address.
Can I use my residential address to register a company in Ireland?
You can use your residential address to register your Ireland company. However, the registered office address is made available to the public. To secure your residential address, you can use a virtual office address.
Does company incorporation protect my Trademarks?
Registering your company does not protect your trademark, it only protects your company name. they are protected under trademark law, which is separate from company law.
When must the company file its first Annual Return?
The first annual return must be filed no later than 6 months after the company is incorporated.
After one year of company registration, what must be filed?
An Irish limited company must file an annual return and Register of Beneficial Ownership (RBO) information after the first year of incorporation. The first annual return must be filed 6 months after incorporation, while the RBO must be filed within 5 months of incorporation.
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