LIMITED COMPANY REGISTRATION FOR NON-RESIDENTS
Non-resident company formation
Important details
Documents Required
Cost Details
Duration
In this guide, we explain how a non-resident can register a new company in Ireland; the CRO process, documents, costs, and what you need to do after incorporation.
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Click to DownloadRegistering an Irish company as a non-resident involves these steps:
- Complete the data collection form
- Reserve your company name
- Complete document verification
- Complete identity verification
- Purchase a Section 137 bond (if required)
- Prepare the company constitution
- Submit your application to the CRO
- Receive your certificate of incorporation
- Register the company's beneficial ownership
- Open a business bank account
- Register for CT, VAT, PAYE, etc. (as required)
- Understand your ongoing compliance obligations
Download the application form below to start registration.
If you would like to understand more, read through.
Step 1: Complete the data collection form
The first step is to provide the information required to prepare the company incorporation application.
You can download and complete the company registration data collection form here.
Cost details are as follows:
- €500 + VAT — if none of the directors is a resident in the EU
If the company does not have an Irish office address, a virtual office/registered office service may also be required.
- Virtual office address: €500 + VAT per year.
However, the most appropriate structure depends on your business activities, ownership, funding requirements and plans.
Step 2: Reserve your company name
Once the required information has been received, the proposed company name can be checked against existing company names and other relevant databases.
The name can then be submitted to the Companies Registration Office (CRO) for reservation.
- The CRO name reservation fee is €25.
If the name is successfully reserved and the company is incorporated within the applicable period, the €25 fee can be credited against the company incorporation fee.
Your proposed company name should be sufficiently distinguishable from existing registered names.
Step 3: Complete document verification
All directors and shareholders will need to provide identification and proof of address.
Typically, this includes:
- A copy of a valid passport
- Recent proof of residential address
A secure link will be sent to all parties via email, where they can upload their respective documents.
Please make sure that the documents are uploaded clearly and properly.
Step 4: Complete identity verification/VIF requirements
The next step is to verify the identity of every non-resident involved.
Every non-resident will be provided with an identity verification form to be signed or certified by a Notary Public in the applicant's country of residence.
Step 5: Purchase bond if required
If none of the directors is residents of an EEA country, a Section 137 bond is required.
What is Section 137 bond?
A legal insurance bond required when a company does not have an EEA-resident director. It provides financial protection to the Irish authorities in the event of certain breaches of company law.
Detailed Cost & PricingStep 6: Prepare the company constitution
Once the company structure and details have been confirmed, the company's constitution can be prepared.
The constitution sets out important information relating to the company's structure and governance.
All relevant parties will need to review and sign the documents before the application is submitted to the CRO.
Step 7: Submit the application to the CRO
The incorporation application is submitted to the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
The CRO then processes the application.
How long does company registration take?
A typical timeframe quoted for the service is approximately 10–12 working days, provided all required information and documentation have been supplied, and there are no issues with the application.
Step 8: Receive your certificate of incorporation
Once the CRO approves the application, the company becomes incorporated, and you will receive the Certificate of Incorporation.
This confirms that the company has been legally registered.
However, incorporation is not the end of the process.
A newly incorporated company still have important obligations to beneficial ownership, taxation, banking, accounting and annual compliance.
Step 9: Register the company's beneficial ownership
After incorporation, the company must register under the Register of Beneficial Ownership (RBO) requirements.
The RBO records information about the individuals who ultimately own or control the company.
Beneficial ownership information must also be kept up to date when relevant changes occur.
Step 10: Open a business bank account
After incorporation, the company can begin the process of opening a business bank account.
For non-resident company owners, opening a bank account can require additional documentation or verification.
PPS Number Considerations
Depending on the circumstances and the services required, a director may also need to obtain an Irish PPS Number (PPSN).
If a director needs to travel to Ireland for the relevant registration or identification process, this should be planned in advance.
- Director’s PPS registration: €150 per person (if needed)
Step 11: Register the company for tax
Once the company has been incorporated, the next step is to determine which tax registrations are required.
These may include:
- Corporation Tax (CT)
- Value Added Tax (VAT)
- PAYE/Employer registration
Not every company needs to register for every tax.
For companies with no Irish-resident directors, Revenue specifically notes that they are not eligible for certain online eRegistration routes and may need the appropriate paper applications.
The appropriate tax registrations will depend on what the company does, where it operates and whether it has employees, taxable supplies or other relevant activities.
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