Complete 2026 Guide
Register a new company in Ireland.
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In this guide, we explain the registration process, documents, costs, non-resident considerations and what you need to do after incorporation.
Want to register a company in Ireland?
Download Application Form
Fill in the details, send back via email to admin@tascaccountants.com
Click to DownloadRegistering an Irish company involves the following steps:
- Choose the right company structure
- Reserve your company name
- Appoint directors & a company secretary
- Choose a registered office address
- Decide on shareholders and share capital
- Prepare the company constitution
- Complete form A1
- Submit your application to the CRO
- Receive your certificate of incorporation
- Register Beneficial Ownership with the RBO
- 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: Choose the right company structure
Before registering your company, you need to decide which legal structure is suitable for your business.
Ireland has several company types, including:
- Private Companies Limited by Shares (LTD)
- Designated Activity Companies (DAC)
- Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG)
- Public Limited Companies (PLC)
For many entrepreneurs and small businesses, an LTD company is a commonly used structure because it provides limited liability and offers a relatively straightforward company structure.
However, the most appropriate structure depends on your business activities, ownership, funding requirements and plans.
Step 2: Reserve your company name
Choosing a suitable company name is one of the first steps when setting up a company in Ireland.
Once the application form is received, we will:
- Submit your company name to the CRO for approval
- Review the information provided in detail
Name reservation is a paid CRO service and costs €25.
However, no payment is required at this stage. If your company is successfully incorporated within 28 days of the name reservation approval, this fee will be credited against your company registration fees.
Details Cost & PricingThe name has to be unique, and it should follow the naming criteria of the CRO.
We will receive the name confirmation within 2 working days.
During this time, we will complete the review. If any additional information is required, we will contact you.
Your proposed name should be sufficiently distinguishable from existing registered company names and should comply with the CRO’s requirements.
Step 3: Appoint directors & a company secretary
An Irish LTD company can have one or more directors, with a minimum of one director required.
Directors are responsible for managing the company and ensuring that it complies with its legal and statutory obligations.
Every company must also have a company secretary.
Learn more about the duties of a company director and secretary.
If an LTD has only one director, that director cannot also act as the company secretary, so a separate secretary must be appointed.
At least one director generally needs to be resident in the European Economic Area (EEA), unless an applicable alternative such as a qualifying bond or other statutory provision applies.
Learn how a non-resident can register a company in Ireland
Can a Non-Resident Register a Company in Ireland?
Yes, non-residents can establish an Irish company, but additional requirements may apply. At least one director must generally be resident in an EEA member state, unless an applicable alternative arrangement is available.
Checkout HowStep 4: Choose a registered office address
Every Irish company must have a registered office address in Ireland.
This is the official address where formal CRO correspondence and legal notices can be served.
The registered office must be a physical location in Ireland and cannot simply be a PO Box.
If the registered office changes after incorporation, the company must notify the CRO using the appropriate filing.
Step 5: Decide on shareholders and share capital
Before incorporation, you need to decide who will own the company and how the company's shares will be distributed.
A company can have one shareholder owning all the shares or multiple shareholders with different ownership percentages.
The share allocation should accurately reflect the intended ownership of the company.
An AML-compliant secure link will be sent to all your email addresses for document collection.
All parties involved in the company must upload their documents.
Required documents are:
- Copy of the passport
- Copy of the latest address proof.
Once the verification is done, we move to the next step.
You should carefully consider the proposed share structure, particularly if you expect to introduce business partners, investors or other shareholders in the future.
Step 6: Prepare the company constitution
For an LTD company, the constitution is a single-document constitution and forms part of the incorporation process.
The constitution should be prepared carefully because it contains important information about the company and its structure. It is submitted to the CRO together with the incorporation application.
The constitution must be signed as per the CRO guidelines by all the directors and the secretary and returned to us.
Once we receive this, we will proceed with the final submission to the CRO.
We will prepare the company constitution and send it to you for review and signatures.
Step 7: Complete form A1
Form A1 is the main application used to incorporate a new company with the Companies Registration Office.
It contains important information about the company, including its:
- Proposed name
- Registered office address
- Directors details
- Company secretary details
- Shareholders details
- Share split-up
- Principal business activity
The information provided on Form A1 should be accurate and consistent with the company's constitution and supporting documentation.
Errors or incomplete information can result in the application being returned for correction.
Step 8: Submit your application to the CRO
Once the required information and documents are ready, the incorporation application can be submitted to the CRO through its online CORE system.
The application normally includes Form A1, the company constitution and the required declarations and supporting information.
Processing times can vary depending on the registration scheme used, the completeness of the application and whether any corrections are required.
Step 9: Receive your certificate of incorporation
The time required to register a company in Ireland can vary depending on the CRO processing route, the completeness of the application and whether any corrections are required.
Providing accurate information and complete documentation from the beginning can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Once the CRO accepts and registers the application, the company becomes incorporated and receives a Certificate of Incorporation. This certificate confirms that the company has been legally incorporated and provides the company's CRO registration number.
You will get the incorporation certificate via email.
TASC currently advertises a typical 7–10 working day timeframe for its company formation service, subject to receiving the required information and documents and to CRO processing.
The CRO number will also be required for subsequent company administration and tax registration.
Keep the Certificate of Incorporation safely, as you may need it when dealing with banks, Revenue, suppliers, customers and other organisations.
Step 10: Register beneficial ownership with the RBO
After incorporating the company, you also need to consider the company's beneficial ownership obligations.
The Register of Beneficial Ownership (RBO) records information about the individuals who ultimately own or control relevant Irish companies.
The information should also be kept up to date when relevant changes occur.
Newly incorporated entities generally have five months from the date of incorporation to register their beneficial ownership information with the RBO.
Step 11: Open a business bank account
After incorporation, you can open a business bank account in the company's name.
You may be asked to provide documents such as:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Company constitution
- Identification and proof of address for directors and beneficial owners
- Detailed information about the company's activities.
Learn how to open a business bank account in detail.
Banks and financial institutions will normally carry out their own identity and compliance checks before opening an account.
Step 12: Register for CT, VAT, PAYE, etc. (as required)
Not every company needs to register for every type of tax.
Corporation tax (CT) is mandatory.
Your other requirements will depend on factors such as your business activities, turnover, employees and the nature of the company's transactions.
For example, a company with employees may need PAYE registration, while VAT registration may apply depending on the company’s annual turn over.
Step 13: Understand your ongoing compliance obligations
Incorporating your company is only the beginning of your legal and administrative responsibilities.
An Irish company must continue to meet its CRO, Revenue and other statutory obligations after it has been established.
These responsibilities can include filing annual returns, maintaining company records, keeping director and shareholder information up to date, maintaining accounting records, submitting tax returns and keeping beneficial ownership information current.
Let’s Get You Started!
Once the company is registered, we will give you an onboarding call to explain the key tax obligations and compliance requirements applicable to your business and answer any questions you may have.
What’s Next?
After the onboarding report, our team will complete any additional mandatory registrations for your business.
Click here to see the next steps after company registration.
Let’s Talk
Still have doubts?
Click the whatsapp chat icon in the right corner of your screen to live chat with us. Call us at 087 225 7706 or email: admin@tascaccountants.com.
