FAQ
What information do you need to start a business in Ireland?
To start your business successfully in Ireland, several essential steps need to be taken.
These include conducting market research, drafting a comprehensive business plan, securing funding, selecting an appropriate business location in Ireland, determining the optimal business structure, choosing a suitable business name, and ultimately registering your business with the relevant authorities, such as the CRO and the Revenue.
Is it possible to start a business in Ireland while holding a General Work Permit or Stamp 4?
Yes, starting a business in Ireland is possible while holding a General Work Permit or Stamp 4. Both the General Work Permit and Stamp 4 allow individuals to engage in self-employment or start their own businesses in Ireland. However, it is important to comply with the relevant laws, regulations, and immigration requirements pertaining to business registration and operation in Ireland.
It is advisable to consult with one of the best accountants or company formation experts in Ireland to ensure that you meet all the necessary criteria and obligations for starting and running a business in Ireland.
Which is better? To become a Sole Trader/ Partnership or form a Limited Company?
This entirely depends on the nature of your business. One of the notable differences is that Sole Traders are personally liable to the debts of the business. Personal assets, such as your house and car, can potentially be used to pay your creditors.
On the other hand, Limited Companies are separate legal entities. This means that your potential creditors can only claim against the assets of your company.
Considering the differences between a Sole Trader and a Limited Company, each business structure had its own pros and cons that you need to consider before making a decision. You will also have the option to start as a sole trader and then convert to a Limited Company in the future.
Can I Have a Separate Shareholding Pattern for Different Businesses Names Under One Limited Company?
No, you cannot create separate shareholding patterns for different businesses registered under the same limited company.
If your LTD company operates multiple business activities (for example, a retail store and a consulting service), all those activities fall under the same ownership structure. You cannot legally assign different shareholding patterns (e.g., 60:40 for one activity and 70:30 for another) under a single LTD company.
If you want different ownership or shareholding arrangements for separate business ventures, you will need to register a new company for each business that requires a distinct shareholding pattern.
I am planning to start a home-made food business. Apart from CRO, are there any other food-related registrations or approvals that I need?
Yes, all food businesses in Ireland must register with the HSE (Health Service Executive) as a Food Business Operator (FBO) before starting operations. This applies whether you’re running a café, a catering business, or a home-based food business.
Once registered, your premises (including your home kitchen, if used for production) may be inspected by Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) to ensure compliance with food hygiene and safety standards.
You must have a food safety management system in place, based on HACCP principles. This ensures you’re handling, storing, and preparing food safely.
I am planning to issue vouchers for my company. Since I have a trading name registered under my company, which name should I display on the voucher – the company name or the trading name?
If you are trading under a registered business/trading name, you can use that trading name on your vouchers as it is the name your customers are most familiar with.
However, for legal and compliance purposes, it’s good practice to also include your full company name (the name registered with the Companies Registration Office – CRO) somewhere on the voucher.
Best Practice: Display your trading name prominently on the voucher (for branding), and mention your company’s registered name in smaller print at the bottom or back of the voucher.
I don’t need to close down my company, but I want to make it dormant for a certain period because I don’t have business right now. What should I do, what are my options?
In the eyes of the CRO and Revenue, a company is dormant only if it has no significant transactions during a particular year.
If you don't plan to use the company for more than 2 years, keeping it "dormant" can actually be more expensive than just closing it.
If you really plan to use the company within 2 years, we can notify Revenue to "de-register" for taxes (VAT, Corporation Tax, PAYE/PRSI) because you are no longer trading. Even though you aren't trading, we still have to file an annual return (Form B1) every year as “Nil”.
Also, most dormant companies can claim an audit exemption, provided the B1 is filed on time. But if you miss your Annual Return Date (ARD) by even one day for a dormant company — you lose your Audit Exemption for the next two years.
For filing the first annual returns, which is within 6 months from the company being formed, the cost is 100+VAT (this is mandatory). Then, for continuing with the annual return filing of financial statements (if the business has not started) after a year, the cost is around 350+VAT.
I have an existing company incorporated in Dubai (UAE). How can I register a branch of this foreign company in Ireland, and what are the legal, CRO, and Revenue procedures involved?
First you need to decide whether you are opening a branch office or a subsidiary company here. A subsidiary company is an independent Irish company owned by the Dubai parent.
Branch Office – This is not a separate legal entity; it’s an extension of your Dubai company. The branch must register with Irish authorities and follow certain filing rules. Profits made in Ireland are taxed locally and filings of parent accounts are required.
Subsidiary Company – An independent Irish company (e.g., private limited company) owned by the Dubai parent. Has separate legal identity, limited liability, own board, and Irish company compliance rules.
Documents required are a copy of the company’s Certificate of Incorporation, a copy of the Memorandum & Articles/Constitution, latest financial statements of the parent company and the details of persons authorised to represent the company in Ireland.
Can an individual currently receiving Social Welfare (Illness or Disability benefits) be appointed as a Director and shareholder in a new Irish company without losing their entitlements, and what are the specific CRO and Revenue implications for this appointment?
Being on social welfare does not disqualify someone from being a Director.
As of 2023, all Directors must provide their PPS Number to the CRO. The CRO system now cross-references this with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) database. If the Director is flagged as "Active" on a welfare claim, it won’t block the company formation, but it creates a paper trail for the DSP.
You can legally appoint them and allot shares. Allotting shares is fine, but if the benefit is means-tested (like Disability Allowance), the value of the shares or any future dividends could reduce their weekly payment.
I want to start a business in Ireland as a sole trader, but I am on Stamp 1G while my wife is on Stamp 4. What are my options?
If you are on a Stamp 1G and looking to start a business in Ireland, while your wife holds a Stamp 4, there are two practical options available.
The first option is to register a limited company with your wife as the Director. In this structure, you can be appointed as the Company Secretary and also work as an employee. This option involves an initial registration cost and ongoing annual compliance costs of approximately €1,000. The company will be required to file returns with the CRO and Revenue, and these details will be publicly accessible. However, a key advantage of this structure is limited liability, meaning your personal assets are protected if the business faces financial difficulties.
The second option is to register the business as a sole trader under your wife’s name, with you working as an employee. This approach is simpler and keeps the business details private, as sole trader information is not publicly available in the same way. However, it does not offer limited liability protection. This means that if the business encounters financial issues or liabilities, personal assets could be at risk.
The choice between these options depends on whether you prioritize asset protection and scalability or simplicity and privacy.
Last updated: 21 Apr, 2026
